What makes a good corn tortilla?
If you’ve found your way to this blog post, you probably already know that tortillas are a staple food in many parts of the world - particularly in Mexico, Central, and South America. However, do know what ingredients go into making a corn tortilla?
Today, we are going to explore the difference between tortillas that are made from fresh masa versus tortillas that are made using masa harina.
What is Fresh Masa?
Fresh masa is made from nixtamalized corn that has been ground and mixed with water to form a dough. It is used to make traditional tortillas, tamales, and many other delicious dishes. Fresh masa has a distinct, sweet, and nutty flavor that comes from the nixtamalization process and it has a moist and pliable texture.
What is Masa Harina?
On the other hand, masa harina (frequently referred to as “corn flour”) is made from dried and ground nixtamalized corn that has been dehydrated and ground into a fine powder. It is reconstituted with water to form a dough that, like fresh masa, can be used to make tortillas, tamales, and other dishes.
Fresh Masa vs. Masa Harina
One of the main differences between fresh masa and masa harina is the freshness and nutritional value. Fresh masa is made from freshly nixtamalized corn, which is high in nutrients and has a distinct flavor. Masa harina is made from dried and ground nixtamalized corn, which may have been stored for a long period of time before being reconstituted, which may affect its nutritional value and flavor.
Another notable difference is that tortillas made from fresh masa tend to have a softer and more pliable texture, while tortillas made from masa harina tend to be denser and less pliable. Why is this? Well, it's because masa harina is a dehydrated product which means it has to be reconstituted with water which can lead to a denser texture in the finished product.
And the winner is...?
If you're making your own tortillas, the ingredients you chose to get to your finished product probably depend a lot on accessibility to corn, kitchen equipment, time, and know-how.
At Molino Tortillas, we believe that the best tortillas always include fresh masa which is why we've poured our heart, soul, and many (many) hours into hand-crafting nixtamalized heirloom and organic corn tortillas for our customers since 2019.
We are proud that our Molino Tortillas only ever include 3 simple ingredients: heirloom/organic U.S.-grown corn, water, and slaked lime. Making them a delicious option for whatever dish you’re inspired to make tonight!
Want to learn more about the ancient art of nixtamalization?
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