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July 28, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Tortilla

Tortilla is a term used for several foods in Spanish- and Mexican-influenced cuisines, most commonly a thin, round unleavened flatbread made from corn or wheat flour.

Updated July 28, 20261 min readCited sources

Tortilla is a versatile food term with different meanings across Spanish-speaking regions. In Mexico, it's a flatbread; in Spain, an egg omelette.

What it is

The word 'tortilla' comes from Spanish, meaning a small cake. Its meaning depends on region: in Mexico and Central America, it refers to a thin, round unleavened flatbread made from corn or wheat flour. In Spain, it typically means a thick omelette made with eggs and often potatoes.

Key details

Traditional corn tortillas are made from nixtamalized corn dough or corn flour. Wheat tortillas are common in northern Mexico and Mexican-American cuisine. The Spanish tortilla (tortilla española) is a popular dish cooked in a pan with eggs, potatoes, and sometimes onion.

Canadian context

Tortillas are widely available in Canada through grocery stores and restaurants, reflecting the popularity of Mexican and Spanish cuisines. They are a common ingredient in North American home cooking, used for tacos, burritos, and quesadillas.

In short

  • Tortilla can mean flatbread or omelette depending on region.
  • Corn tortillas are made from nixtamalized corn dough.
  • Wheat tortillas are also common.
  • Spanish tortilla is an egg-based omelette with potatoes.
Canadian angle

Tortillas are widely available in Canada through grocery stores, restaurants, and Mexican and Spanish cuisines, and are a common ingredient in North American home cooking.

Quick questions

What is a tortilla?
It is a term for different foods, most commonly a thin flatbread in Mexico and Central America, or an egg omelette in Spain.
What are Mexican tortillas made from?
They are usually made from corn dough or corn flour, and sometimes from wheat flour.
What is a Spanish tortilla?
A Spanish tortilla is an egg-based omelette, often made with potatoes and sometimes onion.

Sources

  1. Treccani — https://www.treccani.it/vocabolario/tortilla/
    Supports: Defines tortilla as a Spanish omelette and a Mexican flatbread
  2. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/tortilla
    Supports: Defines tortilla as a thin Mexican bread and also an omelette in Spanish cuisine
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/tortilla
    Supports: Describes tortilla as a round, thin flatbread from Mexico made from cornmeal or wheat flour
  4. Real Academia Española — https://dle.rae.es/tortilla
    Supports: Gives Spanish-language meanings including egg omelette and regional flatbread uses