Silly tortilla question

[houseblend]

I'm sure this is a silly question, but...
whenever I buy flour tortillas, they stick together and tear when I try to separate them. They do this whether I freeze them or refrigerate them. Is there some trick I'm missing to taking them apart?

[boilermaker]

I have found that it helps to nuke them for abotu 5 sec before seperating. Mayeb that will work for you as well.

[houseblend]

Ah, good idea! Thanks - I'll have to try that next time.

[citrus619]

I wrap them in a damp paper towel before nuking!

[KrissyCat7]

I buy the ones that dont need to be refrigerated (on the aisle near the taco/burrito stuff) and I seem to have less of a problem with them tearing. I think its something about the moisture from refrigerating. Not sure.

[houseblend]

So you microwave them in their stack together first?

Krissy - do the non-refrigerated ones last very long? I've bought those before and just automatically put them i the refrigerator assuming they would not last long otherwise.

[jnshanna]

I think it also depends a lot on the brand that's being used. I buy Don Pancho and I've never had any trouble with them tearing because they're fairly thick. I don't know if this brand is available everywhere though. I bought Reser's brand once and they tore a lot so I haven't bought them again since then. They were pretty thin and I think that's why they tore.

[jnshanna]

Oh, I forgot to say that Don Pancho brand does not need to be refrigerated either but out of habit I always too put them in the fridge. ;)

[Reenie]

I also buy the "aisle" kind but stick in the fridge... they stick less than the kind in the refrigerated section, even though I do microwave for about 12 seconds. :)

[Chimichanga]

Maybe try a different brand. We used to have that problem with our corn tortillas too.

My dad started ordering tortillas from some cousins' of his in Mexico. They have a small company down there. We don't have problems any more. :) We've also found that if you buy more authentic tortillas (not the ones from mainstream grocery stores) they don't stick. We generally buy from the Mexican store in town. I have to drive 45 minutes to find decent tortillas.

[Little Angel '77]

Does anyone know where you can Buy BIG tortillas? The only ones I can find are small (about 6 inches...) I want the huge ones that restaurants have!

[houseblend]

I have to drive 45 minutes to find decent tortillas.

That is true love for tortillas! :D


Little Angel - I don't remember the brand off-hand, but the flour tortillas I buy are restaurant size, I believe. I buy them at Albertson's here, which is one of our main grocery stores.

[Chimichanga]

La Tortilla Factory makes very large (burrito size) tortillas. Many stores carry them - they also have a wide variety of flavors (whole wheat, tomato, etc). You can also order them online - but they come in cases.

[sublime311]

That is true love for tortillas! :D

Ahhhh, unless you've had REAL authentic tortillas you don't know what you're missing! They are worth the 45 minute drive. Fortunately, Tucson is the Mexican food capital of the US - IMHO! I live within minutes of authentic homemade tortillas! I really must learn to make them myself!

When we were South Beaching it, we bought store whole wheat tortillas and had the same problem with the tortillas sticking. Someone mentioned moisture as the problem, I agree. I usually just use a knife to carefully pry apart the tortillas, but may have to try to the microwave technique!