Texture City

Taro Tortillas as the Undisputed Champ

 You know the feeling: Frozen in your tracks, staring at the myriad tortilla options at the end of the isle:

• Flour is such an American choice. Delicious? Sure. Basic? Not today.

• Corn is great, but with these enchiladas? They will crumble for sure.

• Street taco style? Those tiny vessels aren’t supposed to be wrapped up in plastic in the fluorescent lighting of the supermarket…

• Cauliflower is having an extended moment, but how will they behave heated up in the pan?

• The 13 gluten-free options make sense, but will they feel right wrapped up in the kitchen towel to stay warm?

Enter, for your consideration, a tropical salve for your tortilla woes.

Discovered by this insatiable writer on the Hawaiian island of Maui, taro tortillas utilize a tropical root vegetable native to Southeast Asia to create a divine tortilla fit for the most discerning afficionado.

Taro, and flour made from it, boasts a delicate purple hue, and an impressive host of health benefits. Rich in (among others):

Potassium + Magnesium + Fiber + Vitamin E + Manganese + Vitamin B6 + Vitamin C

Taro root is a versatile ingredient suited for many applications.

You’re here for the tacos.

Taro tortillas are the among the very best in the world.

Let that superlative sink in, as your teeth will when you first sample their divinity.

We’ve covered the color and nutrition, but it’s really all about the texture.

Best fresh off of a quick kiss on the grill and kept warm in traditional fashion in a cloth towel, these tortillas are chewy in the best way. They hold up to a serious helping of steak, sautéed sweet potatoes (a whole other taco topic), and fresh guac with no problem. They freeze well, impart a delightfully mild sweetness to your meal, and are exceptionally malleable.

Did we cover the texture yet?! Much as the best crusty bread is a texture journey from the crunchy exterior through layers to the gooey, steaming core, these tortillas have the most craveable consistency that will delight your pallet and your jaw. ¡Provecho!