Corn and flour tortillas are both important parts of Mexican cooking, but they are made in very different ways. It's helpful to know these differences if you want to get good at making tortillas.

Ingredients:
The main difference is in the flour used.

• Corn tortillas are made from masa harina, which comes from specially treated corn.
• Flour tortillas are made from wheat flour.

Choosing these ingredients first is important because it affects how the tortillas will taste and feel when cooked.

Making the Dough:
For corn tortillas, you create the dough, called masa, by mixing masa harina with water and a little salt. The corn goes through a process called nixtamalization, which means soaking and cooking it in a special solution. This makes the corn healthier and adds flavor.

For flour tortillas, the dough comes from combining flour with fat, like lard or shortening, and water. The fat is mixed in with the flour before adding water. This helps make the tortillas rich and flaky.

Shaping the Tortillas:
The way you shape the tortillas is different too.

• Corn tortillas are usually pressed flat in a tortilla press, which helps make them even. They should be about 1/8 of an inch thick.
• Flour tortillas are rolled out with a rolling pin, which allows the chef to decide the size and thickness. These are often thinner, around 1/16 of an inch, so they cook nicely.

Cooking the Tortillas:
How you cook the tortillas also matters.

• Corn tortillas are best cooked on a hot comal or griddle for about 30 to 45 seconds on each side until you see some slight dark marks. This quick cooking keeps them moist.
• Flour tortillas need to be cooked on a hotter surface for a little longer, about 1 to 2 minutes on each side, to make them puff up and become soft.

Serving Ideas:
Finally, think about how these tortillas are used in meals.

• Corn tortillas are great for tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas.
• Flour tortillas work well for burritos and fajitas because they are sturdier.

In summary, learning how to make tortillas means paying attention to these different ways of preparing them. Knowing how each type is made can improve the flavor and help you appreciate these important parts of Mexican cooking even more.