Fresh corn tortillas stick together because they are made without the preservatives and chemical anti-clumping agents found in mass-produced alternatives. This adhesion is a natural result of the moisture and starches present in authentic stone-ground masa.
The slight sticking is a primary indicator that you are using a product made through traditional nixtamalization rather than an industrial process.
The Absence of Chemical Bleaches
Mainstream supermarket tortillas sold at stores like Coles or Woolworths often contain preservatives that act as bleaches and separators to keep tortillas pristine and detached. At La Tortillería, we use no additives or preservatives, which is why our tortillas maintain a natural yellow hue and a slight natural tackiness. This purity ensures a cleaner ingredient list and a more authentic flavor profile.
Stone-Ground Masa vs Instant Flour
We stone-grind Australian-grown corn in a traditional Mexican mill, creating a whole-grain masa rather than using instant masa harina. This process retains the natural oils and moisture of the corn, which creates a slight bond between tortillas when they are stacked in a pack. When customers at our Kensington tortilleria handle the tortillas, they can feel the difference in density and elasticity compared to the dry, papery texture of flour-based imitations.
How to Separate and Reheat
To separate tortillas that have bonded, we recommend heating them in small piles of two to four rather than individually. Use a very hot frying pan with no oil or a hot sandwich press for about five to ten seconds per side until they become soft and floppy. Wrapping the heated pile in foil or a thick cloth allows the residual steam to further soften the tortillas, making them easy to peel apart without tearing.
Authentic Tortillas in Australia
Finding genuine nixtamal corn tortillas in Australia is difficult, as most retail options rely on processed powders. You can find our preservative-free range at our store, through various independent grocers, or via our online shop.
