Do corn tortillas go bad? A “Tlaxcala” which was renamed into tortillas, or “little cakes”
Is a type of thin, round, unleavened flatbread, made with coarse masa flour,
Which are the whole kernels of maize treated with alkali in a process called nixtamalization to improve their nutrition.
Corn tortillas are the staple of Mexican cuisine, and have been around for thousands of years in the time of the Aztecs because corn was a staple in their diet.
Though their corn tortillas then mostly consisted of cornmeal and water,
Over time, they learned to improve the dough flour or “masa harina” by soaking them in calcium oxide (lime water) and grinding them into a paste
Which is then dried and mixed with water to form the masa before being cooked on a burning griddle.
So, do corn tortillas go bad?
Yes, corn tortillas like all other foods will go bad over time.
Their shelf life depends on whether they are homemade or store-bought and how and where they were stored.
As per general rule, Corn tortillas will usually last up to or slightly longer than a week in your pantry or up to 6 or 8 weeks in your refrigerator.
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How Long Do Corn Tortillas Last After Expiration Date?
Generally, when stored in the pantry, your corn tortillas should last for about 7 to 10 days beyond their past printed date
While they should last for 6 to 8 weeks if they are stored in the fridge.
How Long Do Corn Tortillas Last After Opening?
Corn tortillas don’t require to be refrigeration after opening,
But we recommend that you refrigerate them after purchase to help extend the shelf life.
Even though the packages are re-sealable,
Once opened, storing them in a cool refrigerator with a steady temperature helps them get up to 4 weeks of extra shelf life.
How Long Do Corn Tortillas Last In The Freezer?
When frozen, both store-bought and homemade corn tortillas can sit in the freezer for at least 3 months and more
Without any significant loss of quality if packaged tightly with all the excess air removed.
Before freezing your corn tortillas, keep in mind that the longer they are kept frozen, the more likely they are to diminish in quality over time.
How Long Do Corn Tortillas Last In The Pantry?
Corn tortillas will usually last up to or slightly longer than a week when stored in the pantry.
How Do You know When Corn Tortillas Go Bad?
The shelf life of corn tortillas often varies depending on whether they are store-bought or homemade.
Store-bought corn tortillas are more reliable because they have a sell-by date which you can use as a reference, but even these can also vary!
Therefore, it is important to know the warning signs of corn tortillas going bad to save you from getting sick.
When corn tortillas reach their turning point, they will begin to stiffen.
They may be ok to eat even if they are a little solid,
But if you see any spots of mold on the surface, you should know that it is time to let go of the entire packet.
There are a few other ways to tell if corn tortillas have gone bad.
1. The first sign that your corn tortillas are starting to get spoiled is that they will develop a slimy texture.
If you notice that your corn tortillas start to feel a bit slimy, they are likely to develop mold soon.
2. When your corn tortillas are going off, you will begin to see unusual spots forming on the surface.
3. Color changes on your corn tortilla should be treated as a sign that they’re going bad.
Fresh and good corn tortillas should not change in color at all,
But if you notice any kind of green or neon tinge, it’s time to get rid of them!
4. If any kind of bad or unusual smell comes from the tortillas, it is time to discard the whole package (s).
Why Do Corn Tortillas Go Bad So Fast?
The corn tortilla is not different from any edible item, they also go bad over time, too.
They can go bad more rapidly as a result of environmental factors such as pathogens, heat, and moisture.
To extend their shelf-life and ensure they don’t go bad so fast, you need to properly store them in a sterile environment free of Moisture and heat.
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Substitutes For Corn Tortillas
Here are the best substitutes of this flat bread;
1. Flour Tortilla:
The history of flour tortillas goes back to the Spanish Inquisition when corn (maize) was considered non-kosher by Jews.
Flour tortillas need all-purpose flour and some lard, olive oil, or vegetable shortening for the dough to bind together.
Flour tortillas are softer than corn tortillas, and they can stretch into larger sizes.
They are often used in tacos, especially breakfast tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and fajitas
2. Half and Half Tortilla:
The combination of both corn and flour tortillas into one is called half-and-half tortillas,
Also known as the mitad y mitad tortilla. Mitad y mitad is more hearty than the traditional corn tortilla.
3. Spanish Tortilla:
This variation is more like an open-faced than a tortilla.
Its round shape is the only similarity it has to tortillas.
It is made with potatoes and eggs and sometimes onions just like an omelet.
4. Blue Corn Tortilla:
Introduced by the Hopi, one of the many Southeastern tribes, and the Pueblo Native Americans from the Rio Grande region,
The blue corn tortillas can also be called Hopi maize, Rio Grande blue or Yoeme blue.
They are becoming more popular in Mexican cuisine.
The blue color comes from blue corn that is ground and made into the masa and it can be detected from its chip form but can be eaten as a normal tortilla.
5. Nopal Tortilla:
Just like blue corn, Nopales, or cacti, are also popular in Mexican cuisine,
That is the reason a tortilla version of them exists.
It gets its green color when you knead the liquified cactus in a cornflour.
They are considered a healthy alternative to corn tortillas.
6. Beetroot Tortilla:
It offers a reddish or pinkish color along with a sweeter flavor instead of a green tint like the nopal tortilla.
Made with beetroot powder or beetroot juice, these tortillas offer a subtle, mild flavor compared to other tortillas
They are also considered to be quite healthy.
7. Hoja Santa Tortilla:
Made from the leafy Mexican pepper leaf called hoja santa, this tortilla is known for having a strong, herby flavor, as well as a pastel green tint to the tortilla.
8. Jamaica Tortilla:
This tortilla comes from Oaxaca, Mexico, an area that is known for growing jamaica, or hibiscus, plants and it is best for light foods,
Such as vegetables, fish, or shrimp. The lavender color in the tortilla is provided by the jamaica flower.
9. Pan Arabe Tortilla:
due to its inspiration from Middle Eastern food, this Arab-style taco is similar to pita bread.
This corn tortilla alternative was created in the 1900s by Lebanese immigrants in the city of Pueblo.
Is It Safe To Eat Expired Corn Tortillas?
The best-by date printed on corn tortillas packages isn’t actually an expiration date.
It is just an estimate from the manufacturer for how long they think the corn tortilla will maintain its best quality.
That’s why you can them after they have gone beyond the best-by date.
Although you may find that your corn tortillas harden slightly once past their expiry date, they should be ok regardless.
While doing so remember that food safety is very important,
So if they have any mold on your tortilla or a bad smell, it’s best to throw the entire packet away.
What To Do With Expired Tortillas?
Stale tortillas are often recipes in traditional Mexican dishes.
They can be used to make some delicious authentic dishes such as chilaquiles (tortilla chips covered in cheese and salsa amongst other ingredients),
You can also use them like chips with homemade or store-bought salsa verde!
What Does Mold On Tortillas Look Like?
Mold on tortillas will show up as blue-green patches of varying sizes that slowly spread around the surface of your tortillas,
Usually where they have been exposed to moisture.
Sometimes the mold can appear as white spots and that is much more difficult to notice, especially on white flour tortillas.
What Do Bad Tortillas Smell Like?
Normally, tortillas have a mild scent of flour aroma.
When you notice that your tortillas have an unusual smell (somewhere between latex paint and ammonia),
It is smell of mold, and you should throw them away
Do Package Corn Tortillas Need To Be Refrigerated?
Corn tortilla does not require refrigeration for storage as they will last up to one week in the pantry.
However, it is possible to preserve the quality of the tortillas for more than that period if stored in the fridge.
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Conclusion
Although corn tortilla tends to be smaller when compared to their flour counterparts,
However, they are known for their sturdiness, so they are often used for tacos, chips, tostada enchiladas, and taquitos.
Corn is a heartier grain, and more resistant to mold which is the main reason corn tortilla tends to have a longer shelf life than flour tortillas.