The primary distinction between tortilla and chapati is that tortilla is a flatbread made mainly of corn flour, and occasionally with wheat flour, meant to be eaten with a filling, while chapati is a thin flat roti made with whole wheat flour called atta and served with side curries and chutney. Although both are staple foods in Mexican and Indian cuisines, respectively, there are several differences between the two.
Key Takeaways
- Tortillas are made primarily from corn flour, while chapatis are made from whole wheat flour called atta.
- Tortillas originated in Mesoamerica and are used in dishes like burritos, quesadillas, and tacos, whereas chapatis are from the Indian subcontinent and are served with side curries, chutneys, and dhal.
- There are different variations of chapatis in India, such as panner chapati, radish chapati, aloo chapati, and vegetable-stuffed chapati. In contrast, tortillas have fewer variations.
What is Tortilla?
Tortilla is a thin, circular-shaped flatbread made using corn flour. Traditionally, only corn flour is used to make tortillas, but now wheat flour is also used in some countries. Tortillas originated in Mesoamerica, where indigenous people first made them. Tortillas are typically eaten with a savory filling or topping and are featured prominently in Spanish and Mexican cuisines. They are used to make dishes like burritos, quesadillas, and tacos, where the thin flatbread wraps around the filling.
What is Chapati?
Chapati is a flat roti made with wheat flour and water. It originated in the Indian subcontinent and is a staple food in countries like Nepal, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The dough for chapati is made of wheat flour called atta, water, salt, and oil, and is then flattened with a rolling pin called a parat. Chapati is also well-known in other parts of the world. There are regional variations of chapatis in India due to differences in dough texture and types of flour used. Some variations include panner chapati, radish chapati, aloo chapati, and vegetable-stuffed chapati. Chapatis are typically served with side curries, and aloo chapati is eaten with pickle and curd.
What is the Difference Between Tortilla and Chapati?
The main difference between tortilla and chapati lies in their ingredients. Tortillas are made primarily from corn flour, while chapatis are made using wheat flour, water, salt, and oil. However, wheat flour is also used to make tortillas in some countries. The origins of these two dishes differ, with tortillas coming from Mesoamerican countries and chapatis from the Indian subcontinent.
Tortillas are used as wraps for dishes like burritos, quesadillas, and tacos, while chapatis are not used to create different food items. Tortillas are eaten with savory fillings or toppings, whereas chapatis are served with side curries, chutneys, and dhal. Additionally, the cooking styles of tortillas and chapatis differ. There are various types of chapatis in the Indian subcontinent, and different side dishes are served depending on the chapati type. For example, aloo chapati is served with curd and pickle. However, this level of variation is not found among tortillas.
Summary – Tortilla vs Chapati
The key difference between tortilla and chapati is that tortilla is a flatbread made primarily with corn flour and sometimes with wheat flour, while chapati is a roti made of wheat flour called atta. Tortillas are eaten with a filling or topping, while chapatis are served with side curries and sometimes with chutneys and dhal.
Reference:
1. “Tortilla.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Dec. 2021.
2. “Chapati.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Dec. 2021.
Image Courtesy:1. “Maiz-tortilla-food-mexican-mexico” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Chapati with egg roast” By Samphotography – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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