Many restaurant customers have been plugging along with commercially manufactured tortillas, and the chips and tacos made with them, without ever thinking about alternatives. However, once a patron tastes a house-made tortilla, there’s no going back. Here’s a few reasons why your restaurant should make its own tortillas.

Authenticity and Tradition

The popularity of Mexican cuisine has taco lovers searching for more and better varieties of tortillas than those offered at fast food or chain restaurants.

The people of Mexico and Central America have been making their own tortillas for thousands of years. They are derived from corn dough called masa, made from a fine corn flour called masa harina. Masa harina is made from very finely ground hominy or corn that has been soaked and cooked in water with added calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) in a process called nixtamalization.

Nixtamalization aids in hulling the corn, releases niacin (vitamin B3), and reduces the presence of mycotoxins. The process also improves the flavor of the corn and makes it easier to grind. Learning how to do it correctly may be a good reason for a trip to Mexico to study with master tortilla makers.

The flour is combined with water to make the dough called masa, which is flattened into circular shapes and cooked to make tortillas. Prepared masa is available from tortillerias if there isn’t space or time in your kitchen to prepare it yourself.

Freshness and Flexibility

Freshly made tortillas—cooked on the premises—take the experience of consuming a taco to a whole new level. Patrons will notice the improved flavor and texture of your tortillas.

When you make tortillas in house, you can control what you add to them. For example, it will be your choice whether to use blue corn masa, or to add spinach or tomato to make flavored tortillas. You’ll be able to assure your patrons that there are no preservatives or other additives in your homemade tortillas.

Revenue Stream

Once you master tortilla production and your customers grow to love your results, you can generate extra revenue by selling tortillas by the bagful. For your restaurant to make its own tortillas, and produce enough to serve and sell, you’ll need top equipment like tortilla presses made by tortilla masters.