Imagine that you have a burrito on your plate, full of juicy meat, stuffed with mouthwatering fajitas and spicy grilled chicken, and garnished with fresh vegetables. Doesn’t it look glorious? Just the thought of this perfect creation makes your jaw drop and mouth water.
It’s food porn but this outstanding meal wouldn’t be possible without tortillas. These flat, thin, rounded slices of bread can take your food trip experience to cloud nine by maintaining their freshness when the food is served.
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A Mexican Favorite
Made from flour or cornmeal, this Mexican favorite is not your ordinary bread. Tortillas are so versatile –they were regarded as little cakes – you can use them for different ways of cooking, such as baking, grilling, and frying.
Or you can eat them out immediately from the pack if you’re ravenously hungry. Tortilla range from a small size of 6 inches across up to a larger burrito, which is 14 inches in diameter!
How Long Do They Last?
Technically, they can last for as long as a week after their expiry date on the packaging, or for a month if you store them in the fridge. However, this is not just based on the expiry date, but also on what they are made up of and how they’re stored and processed.
Below are details about how long an unopened tortilla can last after the expiry date:
Corn Tortilla
What makes this type of tortilla special is the huge amount of corn it contains. Corn is a wholegrain that’s rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. This type is smaller compared to its flour counterpart because it contains fewer calories.
So, if you want to trim your unwanted calories, but you can’t resist a burrito, then corn tortilla wrappers are the best for you.
They can last long for 7-10 days in the pantry, 6-8 weeks in the fridge, and 6-8 months in the freezer.
Flour Tortilla
This type wins in terms of its fat and protein content, but you also have to add on the fat that is contained in the meat and chicken of a burrito.
Although most think that flour tortillas are better, health-conscious people prefer a corn one for balance.
This type lasts for a week in the pantry, 3-4 weeks in the fridge, and 6-8 months in the freezer.
Homemade Tortilla
This is the most natural type because no preservatives have been added.
As a result, it only lasts for 2-3 days if it left in the pantry, whereas, 5-7 days if you put it in the fridge, and 6-8 months in the freezer.
Spinach Tortilla
Rich in iron and vitamins A, C, and K, this tortilla definitely deserves the award for healthiest tortilla award, and its greenish color adds beauty to the appearance of the dish.
It may be called a spinach tortilla, but it actually tastes bitter. Despite that, it still complements the rich taste of bread. It lasts for a week in the pantry, 3-4 weeks in the fridge, and 6-8 months in the freezer.
Whole Wheat Tortilla
Like corn, this is rich in fiber, which is good for your gut. It lasts for a week in the pantry, 3-4 weeks in the fridge, and 6-8 months in the freezer.
How To Store Tortillas?
Because you can’t get enough of these tasty tortillas, you tend to buy extra supplies of them whenever your tummy is rumbling. But that’s no problem, you can just store them in your pantry. However, it’s worth noting that the storage process can be quite tricky, as you’ll need to know the proper way to do this. Otherwise, your fresh tortilla could end up looking limp and tasting stale.
You don't want to end your cloud nine culinary experience, so let's look at how you can properly store them. Here are the best ways to store tortillas, regardless of their type:
Cool Dry Environment
Store the pack in a cool dry place. Make sure it is not vulnerable to temperature changes because cool to warm air changes can affect increase the moisture, causing condensation in the package and mold to grow, which will spoil your precious tortillas.
Therefore, it is best to refrigerate or freeze them instead of leaving them in the pantry. To do this, secure them in:
- Plastic storage bags.
- Freezer bags.
- Parchment paper/waxed paper (original).
- Cardboard rounds from cereal boxes.
Refrigeration
- Put the tortillas inside the storage bags and seal them tightly.
- Refrigerate them, depending on the kind of tortilla.
- Check the surface of the tortilla for any signs of them going off.
Freezer
- Cut some cardboard to the size of the tortillas.
- Put the tortillas on top of a cardboard. You can use parchment or waxed paper to separate the tortillas individually.
- Note: The cardboard will maintain the shape of the tortillas during freezing, and the parchment or waxed paper will make it easy to remove the tortillas without breaking them.
- Seal in a freezer bag.
- Freeze them, depending on the tortilla type.
Why Should You Store The Tortilla Properly?
Proper food storage not only stops you from getting food poisoning, but also helps to save you money and eat healthily.
How To Tell If They Are Rotten Already
Following food safety advice will help you to prevent foodborne illness. Always check whether your stored food is still fresh enough to be consumed.
As we discovered, tortillas can be eaten after their expiry date has passed, but you still need to know whether they are safe to eat. Here’s how:
- Use Your Senses. Your smell is not always that reliable, but you will be able to differentiate the smell of fresh tortillas from bad ones. Basically, they don’t smell good.
- Tortillas that have gone off will become stiffer through time and difficult to eat.
- Mold is a major red flag, so throw them away once you see it on the surface.
Knowing how to properly store your food will help you to save money, conserve food, and prevent food poisoning. Tortillas are one of the greatest foods that the Mexicans have created. SSo, to further your enjoyment of such a wonderful delicacy, it’s best to know how to make them last longer.
Hopefully, you are now know more knowledgeable about how to store your tortillas and when to throw them away. If you have any questions, or suggestions about how to store tortillas, you can make your comments here! We wish to hear your thoughts!