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It is so rare for me to ever come across a question that can't immediately be answered somewhere on the internet in a few seconds, but this is one of those things. I can't find the answer anywhere.
What is the difference between the tortillas that are labeled "uncooked" and are in the refrigerated section at the store vs. all of the other ones in the Mexican section by the refried beans and salsa just at room temperature on the shelf?
I have been trying to eat less bread and wheat so yesterday found a package of corn tortillas on the shelf and got them but WOW are they terrible. Barely edible actually. Anyway, while I was searching - I realized had eaten both kinds (the refrigerated and on-the-shelf kind) without heating or cooking them in any way. I just open the package and eat them. Then I was disturbed to see "uncooked" as if I had eaten something "raw" and/or dangerous if not cooked first.
It is so rare for me to ever come across a question that can't immediately be answered somewhere on the internet in a few seconds, but this is one of those things. I can't find the answer anywhere.
What is the difference between the tortillas that are labeled "uncooked" and are in the refrigerated section at the store vs. all of the other ones in the Mexican section by the refried beans and salsa just at room temperature on the shelf?
I have been trying to eat less bread and wheat so yesterday found a package of corn tortillas on the shelf and got them but WOW are they terrible. Barely edible actually. Anyway, while I was searching - I realized had eaten both kinds (the refrigerated and on-the-shelf kind) without heating or cooking them in any way. I just open the package and eat them. Then I was disturbed to see "uncooked" as if I had eaten something "raw" and/or dangerous if not cooked first.
Anyone know?
The cooked ones that are ready to eat from the bag are just that. Take one from the bag, and do what you want with it.
The uncooked ones require you to cook them before eating. So, you will want to cook it prior to use. I am not in a position to say if this is dangerous; that is the FDA's role. However, from a taste perspective, the uncooked will benefit from a visit to your heated pan on both sides prior to use/consumption.
Usually the uncooked ones will also gain that appearance one is used to in a cooked tortilla with little brown spots also, once cooked.
I don't think there's anything harmful, intrinsically, with the uncooked ones. They are generally just corn meal, water, lard or shortening, salt and possibly a little lime/lye. They don't contain raw eggs.
I don't think there's anything harmful, intrinsically, with the uncooked ones. They are generally just corn meal, water, lard or shortening, salt and possibly a little lime/lye. They don't contain raw eggs.
In most cases, eating food that is uncooked or undercooked (with the exception of sashimi and a few other things) is definitely not a good idea. Unless your idea of fun includes a residency on the toilet and/or a trip to the doctor’s office.
Cooked uncooked. The taste is always improved by cooking.
Corn tortillas cooked or uncooked are either fried in oil and made into hard tostadas.
Corn tortillas also can be steamed.
Corn tortillas can be quartered and fried and made into corn tortilla chips.
Flour tortillia chips always benefit from a light browning on both sides .
You can microwave flour totrtillias if your to lazy to brown them.
So far, none of the replies have actually answered the question. What is the difference between the two since they appear totally identical and taste identical. I have eaten both kinds right out of the package and have not become sick. The packages do not explain the difference, nor do the manufacturer's websites. It is puzzling. I guess what I am saying is you can't use the circular dictionary definition of saying an uncooked tortilla is a tortilla that hasn't been cooked. What do they mean my "cooked" if the result shows no difference?" These white corn flour / masa things I got yesterday from the room-temperature, regular shelf section sure seem like they need to be cooked to be edible at all since I am tempted to throw them away. I need something that can be eaten right out of the bag at room temp without being cooked or heated in any way and I thought they'd be fine. Yuck. Thanks for the replies, regardless.
Even store bought "cooked" tortillas are intended to be heated before eating.
A cooked corn tortilla needs to be steamed or flash fried with a very small amount of oil. This will soften the tortilla to the right texture and toast the corn for full flavor.
A cooked flour tortilla should be sprinkled with a small amount of water, then heated on a very hot frying pan or grill until the brown spots darken to near black.
Both corn and flour tortillas are intentionally packaged at minimum 'doneness' and with a minimum moisture content to accommodate being finished at home. They are fully edible, yes, but not ready for eating anymore than a 'cooked' sausage should be eaten directly from the refrigerator.
The only real advantage of the uncooked tortillas is that they may be fresher and without preservatives since they are kept under refrigeration in the store. Otherwise, all tortillas should be heated before eating whether pre-cooked or not. If you want to eat them with the texture and flavor intended and enjoyed by most tortilla eaters. :-)
So far, none of the replies have actually answered the question. What is the difference between the two since they appear totally identical and taste identical. I have eaten both kinds right out of the package and have not become sick. The packages do not explain the difference, nor do the manufacturer's websites. It is puzzling. I guess what I am saying is you can't use the circular dictionary definition of saying an uncooked tortilla is a tortilla that hasn't been cooked. What do they mean my "cooked" if the result shows no difference?" These white corn flour / masa things I got yesterday from the room-temperature, regular shelf section sure seem like they need to be cooked to be edible at all since I am tempted to throw them away. I need something that can be eaten right out of the bag at room temp without being cooked or heated in any way and I thought they'd be fine. Yuck. Thanks for the replies, regardless.
It depends on the brand but it most likely means that the uncooked ones are partially cooked. It is somewhat impossible to answer this question without knowing a little bit more information.
The only real advantage of the uncooked tortillas is that they may be fresher and without preservatives since they are kept under refrigeration in the store. Otherwise, all tortillas should be heated before eating whether pre-cooked or not. If you want to eat them with the texture and flavor intended and enjoyed by most tortilla eaters. :-)
Not in my store. I recently bought uncooked flour tortillas by mistake because they were stacked with cooked tortillas on a regular unrefrigerated shelf. It was my first time buying them but I found that I actually enjoyed frying them up before using them.
Last edited by Gorges; 04-02-2017 at 11:25 AM..
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