Everyone loves tortillas. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy many of the culinary delights we do today. It makes many foods possible, including burritos, fajitas, and soft tacos. It’s a staple of Mexican food, so it’s only right that people will want to know who made them and how. However, have you ever wondered who you can thank for such an amazing invention? We’ll break down the history of the tortilladora, and tortillas, over the last 100 years.

The Tortilla’s Origin

The word tortilla comes from the Spanish word “cake.” While we found the first documentation for it in the mid-1600s, tortillas go farther back to the people of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico, where ancient corn was first domesticated in Central America. Tortillas are simply pieces of thin flatbread that chefs make from finely ground and dried corn. Corn was generally a staple of many Mesoamerican societies throughout history. Tortillas were also eaten by the Aztecs, who ate them stuffed with meats, squash, and beans or dipped in chili sauce. As you can see, Tortillas have been used for hundreds of years, and the history of the tortilladora is even more interesting. Read below for more.

Fausto Celorio

Don Fausto Celorio was a creative genius who was behind over 140 inventions. One of his most popular inventions was the tortilla press machine used extensively in Mexico. He invented it in the 20th century when manufacturers were mechanizing the tortilla-creation process to meet the increasing population demands in varying cities. Fausto took full advantage of the power of electric motors and new electrical technologies that gave wet-grain grinders the technology necessary to eventually flatten dough. By the 1960s, manufacturers designed smaller machines that could produce lightly crisped tortillas every three seconds, and restaurants still use these presses today.

Benefits of a Commercial Tortilla Press

Restaurant chefs use tortilla presses to create tortillas efficiently. It takes the place of a rolling pin, which many people use at home. Overall, it saves time and energy. The uniform thickness and texture let it cook evenly, making it a perfect addition to any restaurant. You don’t necessarily have the time to roll all your dough when there’s a line out the door, but working with a tortilla press will help you finish in seconds.

We have quality commercial tortilla presses available here at Pro Restaurant Equipment. Check out Pro Restaurant Equipment for some of the best equipment for your restaurant.