Tortillas are made of corn or wheat flour and water. They can be fried, baked, or steamed. Tortillas are a staple food in many parts of the world, especially in Latin America and the southwest United States.
In fact, you might have a whole stack of corn tortillas in your fridge or pantry, and now you’re wondering: do corn tortillas go bad?
If yes, you’ll need to use them; if not, you can relax and use them whenever you want. This article is here to tell you which is right in the question of do tortillas go bad?. Stay tuned and learn everything about these party flatbreads.
Do Corn Tortillas Go Bad: The Direct Answer You Need
The answer is yes, corn tortillas do go bad. This goes for homemade and store-bought tortillas, whether whole wheat tortillas, spinach tortillas, or any other flavored tortillas.
Corn tortillas usually have a shelf life of about one week or ten days before they start to get stale and dry when out in the open, or up to 2 months if stored in the fridge.
This is why some people say they last forever, while others say they have a shelf life of about a week. Corn tortillas are made with fresh maize and water, which makes them less perishable than other types of bread, like white bread or wheat bread.
The type of corn flour or cornmeal used to make the tortilla also has an impact on how long it will last. The same goes for tortilla chips, unleavened bread, and tostadas, whose storage conditions and temperature changes do not go well with their expiry date.
But how long do uncooked tortillas last? It is essential to know that corn tortillas are not more delicate than flour tortillas. One should eat them within a week or up to 10 days of purchase and, if refrigerated, they should be eaten within 1-2 months.
If you store tortillas unopened at room temperature, they will get moldy much quicker than the ones in your fridge. In other words, the best way to store your tortillas is in the fridge.
So, do corn tortillas expire? They do, just like other types of tortillas. Sure, even homemade tortillas go bad, and even faster, because they have no preservatives in them.
What Are Corn Tortillas?
Corn tortillas are made from corn and flour, with some variations that include rice, wheat, or barley flour.
The flour is mixed with water and salt, then left to rest for a few hours before being cooked on a griddle or in a pan. One can eat corn tortillas right after cooking or stored in an airtight container for up to one week.
Corn tortillas are a staple in Mexican cuisine and are made from corn masa flour. They are often eaten as an accompaniment to Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.
Corn tortillas have been around for centuries and were originally made with only two ingredients: ground corn or maize and water.
In the 16th century, the Aztecs used stone mills to grind the maize into flour which was then mixed with water to create a dough that was dried or fried on flat stones over fire pits before being cooked by rolling over the fire.
The word “tortilla” comes from the Spanish word “torta,” which means “round cake.” One can use tortillas in many different ways, such as being filled for tacos or quesadillas or even used with eggs to make breakfast burritos.
Why Do Tortillas Go Bad?
After answering do corn tortillas go bad, it’s time to know why it actually happens. Sure, they went bad in ancient Mexico too, but the locals then didn’t know why.
Tortillas go bad because they contain flour, gluten, and yeast which is a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. They go bad when they are not stored properly.
Bread goes bad because of the bacteria that are present in it. The bacteria feed on the sugar and carbohydrates in the bread, which converts them into lactic acid.
The lactic acid then begins to break down the proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the bread, causing it to go stale and form mold. Tortillas can also go bad if they are not cooked properly and left out for a long time.
The most common way for tortillas to go bad is by being stored in the wrong conditions. Tortillas must be stored in an airtight container and at room temperature or cooler.
If the tortilla is exposed to heat, it will cause it to spoil faster than usual. Tortillas should be refrigerated or frozen as this will cause them to dry out quickly and become stale.
In order for tortillas to stay fresh and edible for as long as possible, they must be stored properly.
How To Tell If Tortillas Are Bad? 5 Signs
If you are wondering how to tell if tortillas are bad, then you have come to the right place. I will be discussing all the signs that indicate whether tortillas are still edible or not. There are a few ways you can tell if your corn tortillas have gone bad:
• Smell or taste: The best way to tell if tortillas have gone bad is to smell them. If they have a strong sour or moldy smell, then they are bad.
• Best by date: The printed date for the best before is there for a reason, while most people still ask: can you eat tortillas past expiration date?
• Spots of mold: You can also tell if tortillas are bad by looking at the color or signs of spoilage like discolorations or mold. If they have turned brown or grey, then they are probably not safe to eat as well.
• Shelf life: If it has been in your pantry for more than two weeks and has become tough, leathery, or dry, it is not fit for consumption.
• Tortilla packaging: If you want your tortillas fresh, make sure you have a batch of unopened tortillas in the original packaging or buy them in resealable packaging.
Don’t forget it is essential to know that tortillas can expire at any given time, depending on the type of ingredients used in their preparation.
The shelf life of a tortilla depends on its storage conditions and what ingredients were used in its preparation.
Extending The Shelf Life Of Tortillas: Tips For Storing Corn Tortillas
Uncooked fresh tortillas are a staple in many homes. They’re a great option for those on a tight budget or those who don’t want to spend time cooking.
Tortillas can last up to 2 months in the fridge. However, they will typically go stale and dry out much more quickly if they are not stored correctly.
• Personalize: When it comes to storing corn tortillas, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It depends on the type of tortilla, how it was cooked, and how it was stored before cooking. There is also the question of whether you want your tortillas to be soft or crispy when you’re ready to eat it.
• Freeze tortillas: When you’re sure that you won’t be able to eat the tortillas, use a freezer bag or aluminum foil and lengthen their lifespan by putting them in a freezer. Put paper towels between them for easier de-sticking later on.
• Storage: Keep corn tortillas in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place away from light sources like windows. For best use, put them in your fridge or freezer.
• Keep them fresh: Wrap tortillas in a clean cloth napkin that has been dampened with water and place them in a plastic bag before placing them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for about 3-4 days this way.·
• Crunchy tortillas: If you want to crisp up your corn tortillas, place them on a baking sheet, then put them in an oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit until they become light brown.
Can You Eat Expired Tortillas?
The answer is yes, and you can eat expired tortillas if they smell, look, and taste fine. However, this is not the best choice because they are not as tasty, and they are more likely to have mold on them.
In fact, the best by date on the package is only an estimate, and if you want to eat your tortillas, you can. Needless to say, if you do see signs of spoilage or mold, do not eat these tortillas.
It is possible to eat expired tortillas, but it is not recommended because they will be stale and have less flavor than fresh tortillas.
If you are going to eat them, make sure they are heated up in the oven before eating them with some butter or other toppings like cheese and tomatoes.
A best-by date is not an expiration date like many people think. It’s just a manufacturer’s estimation of when their product will reach its peak quality.
To answer this question, we need first to understand what tortillas are. Tortillas are usually made of cornmeal, water, and salt.
The cornmeal is ground into a dough that is then pressed into a thin, flat circle. Once cooked, the tortilla can be eaten immediately or stored for later use.
Tortillas can be eaten after two months of being baked or fried and stored in a fridge. However, if they have been frozen, they can last much longer than three months without any significant change in taste or texture.
What Does Mold On Tortillas Look Like?
Mold on tortillas looks white or green, even dark brown or black. You should be able to see it easily, appearing in patches with slow progression.
However, if you see green or black mold on tortillas, then it’s likely that they are spoiled and should be discarded immediately.
Mold is a type of fungus that grows in wet environments. It typically develops on foods that have been left out for an extended period of time, such as bread or cheese.
The most common types of mold are Aspergillus and Penicillium. The former is usually green or black in color, and the latter is typically white.
Some people with allergies to mold may experience symptoms such as rashes, headaches, eye irritation, and/or difficulty breathing when they come into contact with it.
But, most people believe that mold on tortillas is not a sign of spoiled food. It can be easily removed by cutting the mold off and then cooking the tortilla. I would not recommend doing so.
How Long Are Tortillas Good For After Expiration Date?
Tortillas can last for up to 7 days after the expiration date on the package. However, they should not be eaten if they have any signs of mold or food spoilage.
The long-term shelf life of tortillas will depend on a number of factors, including storage conditions and ingredients. Of course, the shelf life of tortillas is also determined by the type of tortilla it is.
Flour tortillas have a shorter shelf life than corn tortillas because they contain more gluten. Corn tortillas have a longer shelf life because they are made with less water which makes them more durable.
A lot of people think that tortillas expire soon after they are produced and that they should be used as quickly as possible.
However, this is not true. Tortillas can actually stay fresh for a few months past their expiration date as long as they have been properly stored.
Therefore, to answer your question on how long tortillas can last after the date on their package is up to 7 days. In the end, I hope these questions answered whether corn tortillas go bad, why, and how, together with other info you might need.
Can Tortillas Go Bad?
Mexican tortillas are often served with refried beans, cheese, salsa, and guacamole. In the US, they are typically eaten with meat or as a breakfast food with eggs and bacon or sausage.
Regardless of your use, I hope this article answered the questions of do corn tortillas go bad and how long do tortillas last. Get ready to buy all types of tortillas since they can be frozen and stored in the fridge as well.