Mi Tierra Tortillas: For the Love of Local!
Every so often, I wander the aisles of our co-op and find myself amazed at the amount of local and fresh foods available in one place. Moreover, I am filled with awe from the fact that every product we carry contains a rich and compelling story of how it arrived there, each of them defined by the many trials and triumphs undertaken to reach the pivotal pay-off moment when it greets you from our shelves. Look closely, and you will see it too: stories of people driven by hopes, dreams, and ambitions we can sometimes relate to, but always appreciate; stories where ideas and beliefs can be both shaped and vindicated, all offering to teach us something about ourselves and the lives we lead, and where we might take them next. Mi Tierra Tortillas presents such a story, and it's one we love in particular because it inspires the question: Was it luck that made the pieces fall into place? Or, was it destiny that brought this group of like-minded people from different countries and professional backgrounds to Springfield and united them around their love of a very special food; one far too uncommon not only in our region but across much of the contiguous United States: the authentic maize, or corn, tortilla.
Simply put, maize is—as we have come to call it in North America—corn. First grown in what is now Mexico nearly 10,000 years ago (a fairly sizeable chunk of human history!), it has since gone on to become one of the world’s most widely cultivated crops. Today, maize is celebrated across Central America as one of the region’s most iconic, staple foods. Its immense cultural importance is reflected through its use in all kinds of authentic dishes, and also as a raw ingredient for making other foods we know and love: one of them being the tortilla.
Traditionally, tortillas do not contain any flour from grains. To be considered genuine, they must be prepared from masa harina (corn flour) using just a few simple, ancient ingredients: water, lime, and of course, corn. This is how Mi Tierra makes their tortillas, and they do so with pride. Not only do they honor the rich history behind this beloved food, but they also share with us its greatest benefits by opting for freshness and authenticity over artificial means for an extended shelf life. That’s why having a local tortilla maker like Mi Tierra here in the Valley is so special: it means we get to enjoy truly authentic tortillas that come just as fresh as they do in Central America, whenever our hearts desire. They are even made with Valley-grown corn, bringing their local story full circle!
The story of Mi Tierra teaches us that authentic foods with rich histories from around the world can likewise become indispensable parts of our own local culture. It shows us there is power in building connections to the foods we eat, and strength in bridging our social values to reach our full potential. Thus, as we leave the co-op with our freshly made tortillas in hand, we can see that Mi Tierra’s story represents one branch in a greater narrative—one where a world of food is waiting to be discovered and shared locally; a cooperative journey to grow a just, strong, and diverse food ecosystem.
Click play to watch our interviews with Michael, Eduardo, Floridalma, and Antonia of Mi Tierra Tortillas, and stop by either of our River Valley Co-op stores to bring home some of their fresh, tasty tortillas today!