Corn is the foundation of food in Mexico, and Mexican tortillas are its primary use.
Originally, tortillas were made by hand, as they still are in rural areas today. The process starts with preparing corn as nixtamal, which is then ground to obtain the dough. Using a press, the tortillas are made one by one and cooked on a comal heated with firewood.
Mexican tortillas are a symbol of the country’s culinary culture. Corn, the seed from which tortillas are made, has been a sacred and essential plant in Mexico since ancient times.
Origin of the Mexican Tortillas
The origin of the mexican tortillas dates back to 500 B.C. However, there is evidence that in the region of Oaxaca, tortillas began to be used as part of the daily diet as early as 1500 B.C.
Although the origin of the tortilla cannot be attributed to any specific region, state, or pre-Hispanic culture, the meaning of the word Tlaxcala is “Place of Corn Bread or Tortillas.” Tlaxcala is a city and the capital of the Mexican state that shares its name.
Corn tortillas are essential in Mexican cuisine. In addition to tacos, they are used to prepare many of the most delicious and famous dishes like enchiladas and chilaquiles. And when you want to avoid gaining weight, tortillas are eaten as tostadas. Regardless of social class, place, time, or occasion, tortillas are a part of people’s daily diet and are what Mexicans eat the most throughout our lives.
The origin of the tortilla is ancient, and we don’t know who invented it, but what we do know is that, regardless of social class, place, time, or occasion, the tortilla is the food that Mexicans consume the most.
As the foundation of the population’s diet, today in Mexico, tortillas can be bought at tortilla shops, establishments that use industrially processed dough to which only water and salt are added. Tortilla machines can produce up to 70 tortillas per minute. Tortillerías can be found on almost every corner; you just need to step outside and walk a few blocks to find the line for tortillas.
Tortillas are sold by the kilo and eaten as tacos. Depending on the city, the price of tortillas varies. Throughout Mexico, they can be found for between 14 and 18 pesos per kilo. Of course, while you wait for your kilo of tortillas, you can make yourself a taco with salt or salsa, which is offered at the tortillerías to enjoy a warm tortilla taco.
