Tortillas are convenient and nutritious and come in two basic varieties - corn and flour. Corn tortillas, a staple of Mexico for many centuries, are still a major food item in central and southern Mexico and in Central America. Early Spanish settlers first imported flour tortillas from the northern part of Mexico into the Southwest. Corn tortillas and flour tortillas, alike, are becoming increasingly popular and are now enjoyed throughout the country. In fact, the tortillas industry is the fastest growing segment of the baking industry in America. Anyone can toast, steam, grill or fry this versatile, flat bread. You can stuff it or wrap foods in it. You can also eat it alone or in such dishes as enchiladas, tacos and burritos.

As a result of the rising popularity of tortillas, tortilla manufacturers and tortilla distributors are prospering and will continue to prosper. The following things are causing the rapid growth of the tortilla industry:

1. The growing number of Hispanics in America.

2. The increased consumption of tortillas among Hispanics and non-Hispanics alike.

3. The versatility of the tortilla - inexpensive, healthy meals are a cinch.

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Learn facts and statistics to monitor trends in the tortillas industry

Knowing the facts and statistics of the tortillas industry can help you develop a budget and focus your marketing plan. A better understanding of industry trends can give your business greater leverage and help with expanding your customer base.

I recommend: AIB International offers general information concerning tortilla market statistics, trends and related topics. Subscribe to IBISworld to stay up to date on news and trends in the tortillas industry. Obtain The Tortilla Manufacturing Industry Report from Supplier Relations to find key financial data, cost and pricing, trends and opportunities in the tortilla industry.

Educate yourself and your staff on tortilla production and distribution

Submerge yourself in tortillas education and training to cash in on some of the profits of this growing industry. A greater knowledge of tortilla production and distribution can help you find new business opportunities. Consider such techniques as producing wholesale tortillas and distributing tortillas online as a means of industry networking.

I recommend: Enroll in a membership with Tortilla Industry Association to receive hands-on training for tortilla production managers and line personnel. Learn how to use a tortilla press through Gourmet Sleuth and how to dry and process tortilla corn from Mother Earth News.

Learn how to make tortillas and create your own unique recipes.

No doubt about it. Tortillas are a hot food item. Fresh tortillas are quite easy to make once the right tools and know-how are in place.

I recommend: Although, traditionally, tortillas are usually corn or flour, more recently, whole wheat tortillas and blue corn tortillas have become popular. Green chili, blueberry, chocolate and other specialties have also emerged. Create your own unique recipes to appeal to a more diverse audience. Learn how to make corn tortillas from Simply Recipes and techniques for reheating them from Frontera Foods. You can also learn hot to make flour tortillas through the 5min video lesson with Chef Jason Hill or with What's Cooking America. Tortillas.com offers products, equipment and literature to tortilla makers for successful tortilla production.

Tortillas are a major part of a lot of restaurants. If you're in Mexican, or just into good lunch options, tortillas for wraps, burritos or enchiladas form the basis for at least some of your entrée options.

Whether you need corn tortillas for authentic Mexican dishes, flour tortillas for all-purpose wrapping, or flavored options for an original menu, you can find tortillas online from tortilla distributors with a penchant for e-commerce. Food buyers look for wholesale tortillas:

1. To fashion either traditional or "fusion" wrap choices with a "non-partisan" or flavor neutral flour tortilla.

2. To create bold authentic Mexican food with ground corn tortillas, blending the corn tortilla flavor with jalapeños, spiced meats, sour cream, refried beans or other toppings.

3. To create exotic lunch or dinner options with specific flavors like tomato basil or habanero tortillas.

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Get wholesale four tortillas

These regular tortilla choices serve well for a variety of dishes. They don't 'prejudice the palate,' but, much like regularly baked breads, they function as conveyors of the flavors you wrap inside them. However, texture and quality are also important in flour tortilla choices. Look for distributors that can get you the product you want to showcase a truly tasty wrap.

I recommend: Azteca Products in Illinois offers flour tortillas featuring less preservatives, and also sells salad shells and chips. Get great flour tortillas in a variety of sizes from Sonora Foods which includes excellent product sample pictures on the company website.

Get corn tortillas

The ground corn tortilla is a familiar choice for cuisine makers. Find these authentic flat-breads put together from ground corn for a Mexican taste in burritos, tamales, enchiladas and make your food shop more representative of the origin of these ethnic foods.

I recommend: With 25 years experience in the industry, Casa Valdez, Inc. specializes in corn tortillas and other authentic products like gordita wraps. Los Amigos Tortilla Mfg., Inc. offers both corn and flour options and well as a variety of other Mexican foods.

Find gourmet flavored tortillas

With the rise of tortilla popularity, tortilla makers have begun to offer whole wheat tortillas and other flavors for wild new menu options. Check the variety available to see how you can outfit your shop with tasty options that complement your other ingredients.

I recommend: Check out custom tortilla options from Fiesta Tortillas, a company that sells spinach or tomato flavors or blends flavors for your specific needs. Tumaro's Tortillas, a premier tortilla and organic health food supplier, features flavors like Chipotle Chili & Peppers, Garden Vegetable & Vegetables, Honey Wheat, Pesto & Garlic and more.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check for size and style options for your tortillas. Figure out what texture and size you need before buying, so you can check in with custom tortilla manufacturers or suppliers for your exact needs.

Tortillas are a staple of many Mexican restaurants and other commercial kitchens around the country. However, when it comes to producing them on a mass level, some of the machines you'll come across are a bit more complicated than a mixer you might have at home.Take the time to familiarize yourself with some of the ingredients and machines used to mass-produce tortillas so that you can apply that knowledge to your business. Here are some common terms utilized in the tortilla industry.

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Masa de maize, corn masa, masa harina

Masa de maize, or corn masa, refers to the 'dough' that is made to use corn tortillas, tamales, gorditas and more. It's smooth, starchy and lime-treated. It's made by combining corn starch, slaked lime, water and salt. Commercial restaurants often use dry, instant corn masa.

I recommend: Visit Tortilla Cocina for an article that discusses masa de maize, including the origin and how restaurants make corn tortillas from the dough. Mex Grocer offers a description as well. Baking Bites details masa harina.

Tortilla press

A tortilla press, in the commercial kitchen or restaurant sense, refers to a machine with two large, heated plates. The tortilla dough is placed between the plates and the plates are then pressed together to form the shape of the tortilla and cook it at the same time.

I recommend: Visit A Best Kitchen, a restaurant and commercial kitchen equipment supply store, to find a description detailing how a common tortilla press operates.

Tortilla warmer

A tortilla warmer is a commonly used serving piece in restaurants and commercial kitchen. It is made of either ceramic, clay or plastic, and is essentially a deep plate with a corresponding lid. This allows many tortillas to be served and be kept warm at the same time.

I recommend: Visit Practically Edible for a further discussion of tortilla warmers and how they are used in restaurants. The Food Warmer Company also presents a discussion of the functions of its tortilla warmers.

Tortilla cooler

A tortilla cooler is a machine that usually affixes or is placed next to the tortilla press. The tortillas are either placed on or drop down onto a wire rack and move away from the press, cooling in the process. When they get to the end of the track, they are ready to serve or package.

I recommend: Visit Stewart Systems, which specializes in making high-volume food machines for commercial kitchens. There is an explanation of the basic principle of a tortilla cooler. Anping County Yupeng Metal Mesh Company also explains the principle behind its machine.

Dough chunker

A dough chunker is a piece of equipment used in commercial kitchens and food manufacturing plants that separates dough after it has been mixed and then sends it along to the tortilla press. The dough chunker is usually used in conjunction with those other machines.

I recommend: Visit Shaffer Mixers and Processing Equipment Company, which produces a line of dough chunkers that services the creation of tortillas in a commercial kitchen.

Calcium hydroxide

Calcium hydroxide is a substance that's created by reacting lime (calcium oxide) with water. It is used to help break down the pericarp (outer covering, or bran) on each kernel of corn so that the corn can be made into tortilla dough. Commercial kitchens use large quantities of calcium hydroxide.

I recommend: The Zarela restaurant in New York City has a discussion page on how calcium hydroxide is used in the making of corn tortillas.

The total price you will pay for these items depends on how much of your business will be tortilla related.

Consider the following tortilla pricing and cost guidelines when you are preparing your budget:

1. Offer foods using corn and flour tortillas.

2. Appeal to health conscious customers by offering healthy alternatives to regular tortillas.

3. Add tortilla chips to your line up.

4. Provide tortilla soup as a light meal or to compliment other foods.

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Add traditional tortillas to your menu offerings

Corn and flour tortillas are used in a variety of recipes. Generally, smaller tortillas are less expensive than large or burrito tortillas. The size of the tortillas you need depend upon the items you are offering.

I recommend: MexGrocer.com sells products from various tortilla manufacturers. You can expect to pay between $8 and $30 per package for corn tortillas or flour tortillas. The price depends on the quantity and size of tortillas in the package. Food Service Direct offers wholesale tortillas by the case from various tortilla brands with prices starting at around $30 per case.

Offer healthy tortillas

Whole wheat tortillas and organic tortillas provide a healthier alternative to corn and flour tortillas. Offering these healthy alternatives enables you to appeal to a larger customer base.

I recommend: You can find organic and whole wheat tortillas at MannaHarvest.net. You will pay under $50 per case from this company. Casa Rica sells whole wheat tortillas by the package for under $10 or by the case for around $30.

Go beyond traditional tortillas

Tortilla chips are ideal if you are serving salsa to your guests before a meal. They are also necessary if you plan on serving nachos. Many tortilla companies offer these chips.

I recommend: SnackAisle.com sells a varied selection of tortilla chips and strips. Prices start at under $30 per case. A sampler variety case is also available. You can find numerous tortilla chips at 3K Wholesale.Com. Prices are all under $40 per case.