Production and consumption of tortillas as a cultural heritage of San Pedro del Rosal, Mexico

Abstract

Planting and consumption of maize are identity and determining activities in the evolution of population’s food heritage, since they contribute to food security and preservation of the biocultural heritage. Based on qualitative collection of information from producers and consumers of hand-made maize tortillas in San Pedro del Rosal, Atlacomulco, Estado de Mexico, an ethnographic study was conducted. From an anthropological perspective, the production of tortillas was characterized in order to analyze the know-how concerning this food, typical of central Mexico’s culinary identity. For tortilla producers, the know-how constitutes an identity heritage, as well as possibly a strategy for generating an income. In the case of consumers, it was concluded that they choose hand-made tortillas given their symbolic value.