Is tortilla bread?
In this brief article, we will answer the question, “Is tortilla bread?” and provide information on the difference between the two kinds of bread, why it is better to eat tortillas nutritionally as well as how to make them.
Is tortilla bread?
No, a tortilla is not bread. A tortilla is a flatbread that is prepared from flour or corn-based flour. There are many varieties of tortillas that might be found in commercial settings. The color of the tortilla can range from blue to black as well.
A loaf of bread is prepared by using yeast. As no yeast is used for leavening in a tortilla, a tortilla would not be typically called bread. Instead, it is called flatbread.
What is the difference between bread and tortilla?
The main difference between bread and tortilla is that bread is leavened whereas tortilla is unleavened.
Unleavened bread does not contain substances added to them to raise them. This can include tortillas, roti, or matzah. A lack of leavening agents can result in the formation of a flatbread. Leavened bread contains rising agents.
What is the difference between leavened and unleavened bread?
Leavened bread contains baking powder, soda, or yeast. It requires a rising agent or other ingredients that can help in raising the bread.
Apart from this, other ingredients are added to influence the product’s color, taste, or other characteristics. Other ingredients that can be added to the bread can include eggs, butter, milk, sugar, and oil.
On the other hand, unleavened bread does not require a lot of ingredients. Some only require water and flour. A little bit of salt is added as well. Some recipes call for baking powder or soda but the amount is negligible enough to cause a difference.
Leavened bread requires a specific order for mixing ingredients whereas in the case of unleavened bread there is no specific order as such.
Also, the dough has to be needed thoroughly in case of both leavened and unleavened bread. In the case of tortilla or unleavened bread, the dough can be kneaded and proofing time is not required. In the case of leavened bread, proofing time is needed.
Certain kinds of proofing bread have many stages of proofing. Apart from this, the temperature, the quality of ingredients, and the atmosphere can also play a vital role in proofing.
There is a difference in the shaping process too. Unleavened bread like tortillas is first rolled into balls and then shaped into round, oval, or square shapes using a rolling pin.
Leavened bread has a much more complicated process of rolling them. For instance, baguettes have a long cylindrical shape whereas Challah is in braided form.
There is also a small weak spot created on leavened bread so that it cooks evenly and does not crack while cooking.
Are tortillas better to eat than bread?
Yes, tortillas are better to eat than bread because the portion size of tortillas is smaller than that of bread. Tortillas are smaller in size and thickness than bread.
However, corn-based tortillas are better than flour-based tortillas. This is because corn or corn flour contains much more nutrients than regular wheat flour.
Homemade tortillas are one of the yummiest and healthiest ones than commercially prepared ones. You can also control the portion size by preparing a smaller tortilla.
How to make a tortilla?
- For preparing a tortilla, mix 3 cups of all-purpose flour with 1 tsp of salt in a small bowl. Mix them well.
- Make a small center in the middle of these dry ingredients. Now, add ⅓ cup oil along with 1 cup lukewarm water.
- Once that has been done, start mixing them well and kneading them to form a dough.
- Make small balls using the dough. Keep them on a flat surface and start rolling them in the form of a circle using a rolling pin.
- Heat a large pan. Add the circular-shaped dough to the pan and cook for 1 minute. If your tortilla has turned golden brown on one side, flip them over and cook the other side.
- Using the tongs, remove the tortilla and place them onto the serving plate.
How to store tortillas?
Tortillas can be kept in the refrigerator for a week. It has to be kept in an airtight container or ziplock bag to minimize exposure to moisture. If you wish to freeze tortillas, they can be covered with parchment or wax paper and then kept in a ziplock bag before storing them in a freezer.
Conclusion
In this brief article, we have answered the question, “Is tortilla bread?” and provided information on the difference between two kinds of bread, why it is better to eat tortillas nutritionally as well as how to make them.
