Tortilla chip: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 10:55, 23 March 2025

Tortilla Chip[edit]

A tortilla chip is a type of snack food made from corn tortillas, which are cut into wedges and then fried or baked. Corn tortillas are made from corn, vegetable oil, salt, and water. Although first mass-produced in the United States in the late 1940s, tortilla chips are considered a Mexican food, known as "totopos." They are typically served with salsa, guacamole, or other dips.

History[edit]

The invention of the tortilla chip is credited to Rebecca Webb Carranza, who owned a tortilla factory in Los Angeles. In the 1940s, she began selling the misshapen tortillas that were rejected from the production line as a snack. These chips became popular and were eventually mass-produced.

Production[edit]

Tortilla chips are made from corn tortillas, which are cut into triangles and then fried or baked. The process begins with the preparation of the corn dough, known as masa. The masa is flattened into thin discs to form tortillas, which are then cut into wedges. These wedges are cooked until they are crisp and golden brown.

Varieties[edit]

Tortilla chips come in various flavors and colors, depending on the type of corn used and any additional flavorings. Common varieties include:

Yellow Corn Chips: Made from yellow corn, these are the most common type of tortilla chips.
White Corn Chips: Made from white corn, these chips have a milder flavor.
Blue Corn Chips: Made from blue corn, these chips have a distinctive color and a slightly sweeter taste.
Flavored Chips: Some tortilla chips are seasoned with spices, cheese, or other flavorings.

Uses[edit]

Tortilla chips are often served as a snack or appetizer. They are commonly paired with salsa, guacamole, or queso dip. In Mexican cuisine, they are used in dishes such as nachos, where they are topped with melted cheese and other ingredients.

Cultural Significance[edit]

Tortilla chips have become a staple in Tex-Mex cuisine and are popular in the United States and around the world. They are often associated with Cinco de Mayo celebrations and are a common feature at parties and gatherings.

Related Pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Tortilla Chip'''
+== Tortilla Chip ==
-A '''[[tortilla chip]]''' is a type of [[snack food]] made from [[corn tortillas]], which are cut into wedges and then fried—or baked (alternatively they may be discs pressed out of corn masa then fried or baked). Corn tortillas are made of [[corn]], [[vegetable oil]], [[salt]] and [[water]]. Although first mass-produced in [[Los Angeles]] in the late 1940s, tortilla chips were always considered to be a Mexican food, known as [[totopos]] and [[tostitos]] in Spanish.
+[[File:4003_-_Zermatt_-_Restaurant_Weisshorn.JPG|A bowl of tortilla chips served at a restaurant|thumb|right]]
-==History==
+A '''tortilla chip''' is a type of snack food made from [[corn tortilla]]s, which are cut into wedges and then fried or baked. Corn tortillas are made from [[corn]], vegetable oil, salt, and water. Although first mass-produced in the United States in the late 1940s, tortilla chips are considered a Mexican food, known as "totopos." They are typically served with [[salsa]], [[guacamole]], or other dips.
-The tortilla chip is considered to have been popularized in the United States in the mid to late 20th century. The triangular shaped tortilla chip was popularized by [[Rebecca Webb Carranza]] as a way to make use of misshapen tortillas rejected from the automated tortilla manufacturing machine that she and her husband used at their Mexican delicatessen and tortilla factory in southwest Los Angeles.
+== History ==
-==Production==
+The invention of the tortilla chip is credited to Rebecca Webb Carranza, who owned a [[tortilla]] factory in Los Angeles. In the 1940s, she began selling the misshapen tortillas that were rejected from the production line as a snack. These chips became popular and were eventually mass-produced.
-Tortilla chips are made using yellow corn, white corn, flour, whole wheat, or blue cornmeal. Coarse [[maize]] (corn) is soaked in a solution of lime and water, also called a [[maize alkali treatment]]. This loosens the hulls from the kernels and softens the corn. In addition to this, the lime reacts with the corn so that the nutrient [[niacin]] can be assimilated by the digestive tract.
+== Production ==
-==Nutrition==
+Tortilla chips are made from [[corn tortillas]], which are cut into triangles and then fried or baked. The process begins with the preparation of the corn dough, known as [[masa]]. The masa is flattened into thin discs to form tortillas, which are then cut into wedges. These wedges are cooked until they are crisp and golden brown.
-Tortilla chips are rich in [[carbohydrates]] and [[fiber]]. They also contain significant amounts of [[fat]], [[sodium]], and [[calories]], especially when fried. Baked tortilla chips tend to be lower in calories, fat, and sodium.
+== Varieties ==
-==Serving==
+Tortilla chips come in various flavors and colors, depending on the type of corn used and any additional flavorings. Common varieties include:
-Tortilla chips are often served with [[salsa (sauce)|salsa]], [[chili con queso]], [[guacamole]], [[cheese dip]], or other [[dip (food)|dip]]. They are most commonly found in the snack aisle of grocery stores, or at Mexican restaurants.
+* '''Yellow Corn Chips''': Made from yellow corn, these are the most common type of tortilla chips.
+* '''White Corn Chips''': Made from white corn, these chips have a milder flavor.
+* '''Blue Corn Chips''': Made from blue corn, these chips have a distinctive color and a slightly sweeter taste.
+* '''Flavored Chips''': Some tortilla chips are seasoned with spices, cheese, or other flavorings.
+== Uses ==
+[[File:A girl enjoying Pico de Gallo for the first time.jpg|A girl enjoying tortilla chips with pico de gallo|thumb|left]]
+Tortilla chips are often served as a snack or appetizer. They are commonly paired with [[salsa]], [[guacamole]], or [[queso]] dip. In [[Mexican cuisine]], they are used in dishes such as [[nachos]], where they are topped with melted cheese and other ingredients.
+== Cultural Significance ==
+Tortilla chips have become a staple in [[Tex-Mex]] cuisine and are popular in the United States and around the world. They are often associated with [[Cinco de Mayo]] celebrations and are a common feature at parties and gatherings.
+== Related Pages ==
-==See also==
 * [[Nachos]]
-* [[Taco]]
+* [[Salsa (sauce)]]
-* [[Tostada (tortilla)|Tostada]]
+* [[Guacamole]]
-* [[Corn chip]]
+* [[Tex-Mex cuisine]]
-* [[Fritos]]
 [[Category:Snack foods]]
 [[Category:Mexican cuisine]]
-[[Category:American cuisine]]
+[[Category:Maize dishes]]
-[[Category:Corn products]]
-{{food-stub}}