Tortilla vs Roti

Tortilla vs Roti

Most people confuse tortillas for roti thus it is very essential to learn about the differences and similarities between these two. Although they are both flat breads, tortillas and roti are supposed to be served with specific dishes and this is because of the nature of how they are made. To get a more detailed explanation on the differences as well as similarities simply check out the article below.

Contents

Tortilla

A tortilla is a thin flat bread that is commonly made using corn flour. It has its origins in Mexico and is commonly used as a wrap for burritos, enchiladas and tacos. Tortillas are made using hot water and they contain shortening which help to give them that smooth texture. Tortillas are usually cooked in a skillet.

Roti

Roti is an unleavened flat bread that has its origins in India. It is made using wheat flour and water that is at room temperature. Roti is usually served with side dishes. Furthermore a roti is commonly cooked in a tandoor a traditional oven commonly found in India. Roti and chapatti are very similar however the difference is based on how they are made so be careful to never confuse the two.

Differences between tortilla and roti

Origins

Tortillas originated from Mexico where they are commonly used for making burritos and tacos whereas roti originated in India and is usually served with a side dish.

Production process

The other difference between tortilla and roti is based on how they are made. These 2 types of bread are made using different ingredients. Tortilla is commonly made using corn flour whereas roti is made using wheat flour.

Furthermore, when making tortillas hot water is needed whereas roti is made using room temperature water. The tortilla is commonly made using either vegetable or animal shortening whereas roti does not. The shortening used in making tortillas helps to give them that smooth texture.

To add on, since tortillas are commonly made using shortening they contain 90% gluten development as compared to roti which has about 40% gluten development and as a result the roti is prone to breakage. It doesn’t work well as a wrapper on foods.

Texture

The difference between tortilla and roti also lies in the texture. A tortilla has a smooth texture and can be used to wrap foods, it doesn’t break whereas the texture of roti is not suitable for wrapping foods. It breaks down. This is because the roti is designed to be a type of bread that can be broken down and served like that.

Taste

The taste of tortilla is different from that of roti. Since roti is made using corn flour it usually tastes like sweet corn whereas roti tastes more like wheat.

Cooking methods

The way tortillas and roti are cooked are very different. When making tortillas you have to use a skillet or pan whereas roti are specifically cooked in a tandoor.

Serving suggestion

Tortillas are commonly wrapped around dishes like tacos and burritos whereas roti are usually divided into pieces and served with side dishes.

Similarities between tortilla and roti

Tortilla and roti are both unleavened flat breads. This means that they do not contain any raising agents for example yeast.

Furthermore, both tortilla and roti are made using water although the temperatures of the water will be different.

How to store tortilla and roti

NB: storing tortillas or roti in the refrigerator is the best way of preserving them.

Step 1

Start by dividing your tortilla or roti into portions. This will help you since when you need to use them you can simply thaw the portion you want to use instead of defrosting all of them.

Step 2

Wrap the roti or tortilla using aluminium foil and place them in an air tight container. This will help to prevent moisture from getting inside and affecting the texture of these flat breads.

Step 3

If you do not have aluminium foil put a little bit of butter on each roti or tortilla then simply put parchment paper in between them this will prevent the flat breads from sticking together. Place the tortillas and roti in freezer bags. Ensure that you label the freezer bags with the date in which you are placing them. This will help you to keep track of when they are most likely to turn bad.

Step 4

Place the tortillas and the roti in the freezer. They can last for a couple of months inside. However, if you are certain that you will eat the tortillas and roti in a couple of days then you can always place the directly into the refrigerator.

How to reheat frozen tortillas or roti

NB: it is advisable to always reheat tortillas and roti so as to get rid of unwanted bacteria. Furthermore these flat bread taste even better when they are warm.

Stove

Although the roti is made using a tandoor, it can be reheated using a stove. To reheat the tortilla and the roti using a stove simply place a skillet on a stove that is turned on to medium heat. Add a tad of butter to prevent the tortilla or roti from drying out. The next thing is to place the roti or tortilla inside. Reheat each side of the tortilla or roti for 30 second. Make sure you keep a close eye on the skillet since they can start to burn.

Microwave

This is one of the most convenient ways of reheating a roti or tortilla. To reheat the roti or tortilla simply take 2 paper towels and dampen them. Squeeze out all of the excess water from the paper towels and use them to wrap the tortilla of roti. The paper towels will help to prevent the tortilla and roti from becoming too dry. Reheat the tortilla or roti for about 30 seconds in the microwave. When they are done remove the wet paper towels and serve them.

Oven

Start by oiling a baking tray then add your roti or tortilla inside. Cover them with aluminium foil, this will help to trap the heat inside. Place them inside an oven that was preheated to 300 degrees and allow them to reheat for about 10 minutes.

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