Pita Bread vs Tortilla

Pita Bread vs Tortilla

Often people ask if pita bread can substitute tortilla. This is mainly due to the fact that tortillas can be hard to find in some grocery stores. This article seeks to shed light on whether pita bread can be a substitute of tortilla. It will compare and contrast the 2 to see if they have any similarities or differences. It is important to know that a substitute is something that you can use in place of another and in most instances, the substitute should have certain similarities that are reminiscent to the original item. So to get an in-depth explanation of pita bread and tortilla simply check out the article below.

Contents

Pita bread

Pita bread also known as pitta is a yeast leavened flat bread. It originated in the Middle East but is now eaten in many parts of the world. Pita bread is often used when making sandwiches because it has the most ideal bread pockets which are suitable for stuffing things like meat or vegetables. Pita bread is made using very few ingredients hence it is very easy to make. The most common way of cooking pita bread is by using the oven.

Tortilla

Tortilla is a flat bread that is made using corn flour. It does not contain any yeast so it does not have the ability to rise when cooked. Tortilla is believed to have emerged in Mexico mainly because it is used when making many Mexican dishes. Tortillas are very popular as they are commonly used for making tacos, burritos and enchiladas. They are commonly prepared using a skillet.

Difference between pita bread and tortilla

Production process

Pita bread is a leaved type of bread whereas tortilla is an unleavened type of bread. This basically means that pita bread contains a raising agent and in this case the raising agent is wheat whereas tortillas do not contain any yeast.

Furthermore pita bread is made using wheat flour whereas tortilla is made using corn flour.

Appearance

Tortillas are very thin as compared to pita bread. This is mainly due to the fact that they do not contain any raising agents.

Furthermore, when you cut pita bread into half it forms a bread pocket which can be stuffed with vegetables or meat to form a sandwich whereas tortillas do not form a bread pocket they are simply treated as wraps for things like tacos or burritos.

Uses

Tortillas are mainly used for making burritos, tacos and enchiladas whereas pita bread is commonly used for making sandwiches. This is because this 2 have different characteristics.

Taste

The taste of pita bread is different from that of tortilla. This is mainly as a result of the different ingredients that are used when making them.

Texture

Pita bread is softer as compared to tortilla. This is mainly because pita bread is made using yeast and it is cooked in an oven. Tortillas are made on a skillet that is why they are not as soft as pita bread and they do not have yeast.

Origins

Tortilla originated in Mexico and it is commonly used when making Mexican cuisines whereas pita bread has its origins in the Middle East.

Furthermore, studies show that tortilla originated around 10 000 BCE whereas pita bread originated in 1 200BCE. Thus pita bread is actually emerged way after the tortilla was invented.

Cooking process

Pita bread is cooked in an oven whereas the most common method for cooking tortillas is by using the skillet. Furthermore, when cooking these 2 different types of bread the pita bread tends to rise whereas tortilla maintains its size. This is because pita bread has a raising agent as compared to tortillas.

Nutritional value

The other interesting difference between pita bread and tortilla is their difference in nutritional value. Pita bread is healthier than tortilla. It contains 85 calories while tortilla contains 104 calories. Furthermore, pita bread contains less fat as compared to tortilla bread.

How to store pita bread and tortillas

If you have bought tortillas or pita bread from the grocery store then simply place them in the refrigerator if you are planning on using them immediately. However, if you happen to open the pita bread or tortillas then you need to store them in the freezer to preserve them. The freezer has a cool environment that helps to slow down the growth of bacteria on food. Here are a few steps to follow when storing your pita bread or tortilla in the freeze.

Step 1

To store tortillas start by wrapping them with plastic wrap. This will help to prevent moisture from entering inside. This is because moisture can make the tortillas soggy. If you are storing pita bread then simply place them inside a large zip seal bag. If you don’t have then you can also wrap them with plastic wrap.

Step 2

When placing the pita bread or tortillas make sure you place wax paper in between them. This will help to prevent them from sticking together during the freezing process. Furthermore, it helps you when you want to reheat them since you don’t have to go through the hustle of defrosting the whole batch. You simply remove the ones that you want to use.

Step 3

Label the containers with the tortillas or pita bread. Indicate the day in which you are placing them in the freezer. This will help you to keep track of when they are likely to turn bad. When you have done that simply place them inside the freezer. They can last for a couple of months in the freezer.

NB: always reheat pita bread and tortilla especially if they were stored in the freezer. They are enjoyed more when they are warm. Furthermore, it helps to get rid of any unwanted bacteria.

Conclusion

Pita bread and tortillas are not the same thing. They can never be used interchangeable as they do not have any similarities. Telling these 2 types of bread is one of the easiest things to do. So the next time you visit a grocery store simply use the information provided to distinguish pita bread from tortilla.

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