tortilla
Mexico
In Mexico tortilla is a thin round flatbread, most often made of corn. It is eaten with nearly every meal.
Corn tortillas are for tacos and quesadillas. Flour tortillas, tortillas de harina, are common in northern Mexico.
Meaning: a flat round bread of corn or wheat (noun)
Which one should you use?
In Spain tortilla means an omelet, as in tortilla de patatas. In Mexico an omelet is a omelette or huevos revueltos.
When do people say it?
People buy them fresh at the tortillería, usually by the kilo and wrapped in paper.
Did you know?
- Corn tortillas are made from nixtamal, corn treated with lime, a method dating back to pre-Hispanic times.
Examples in context
- Voy a la tortillería por tortillas.I am going to the tortilla shop for tortillas.
- Las tortillas de harina son del norte.Flour tortillas are from the north.
- Caliéntame unas tortillas.Heat some tortillas for me.
Example conversation
Doña Carmen sends her grandson Memo on an errand in Monterrey.
- Doña CarmenVe por un kilo de tortillas.Go get a kilo of tortillas.
- Memo¿De maíz o de harina?Corn or flour?
- Doña CarmenDe maíz, y que estén calientitas.Corn, and make sure they are warm.
