Have you ever asked yourself what is needed so that you can enjoy some delicious tortillas? Do you think you only need maize? Of course, maize is key but by simply grinding it you can’t make tortillas, tostadas or delicious tlayudas (large maize crisps). There is an ancient technique called nixtamalization that was invented by the Mesoamerican indigenous peoples. Its etymology comes from the náhuatl language: nextli which means ash, and tamalli which means dough or masa. Nixtamalization increases the nutritional value of maize, and it produces remarkable functional and sensory changes that are key to making a tortilla.