This week, we’re sharing a snapshot that captures one of the most heartwarming moments of our cultural immersion trips: learning the ancient art of making corn tortillas.

Our “Photo of the Week” features our dear friend María Luisa from Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, patiently guiding a student from the Lycée Français de New York as she learns the process step-by-step.

For several years, we at Ideal Spanish Mexico have been honored to bring students from the Lycée Français to Teotitlán to spend time with our friends at Casa Cruz. It is here that they receive a truly traditional lesson in the preparation of corn tortillas, a foundational element of Mexican cuisine.

The Journey of the Tortilla

The lesson begins with the most essential element: the nixtamalized corn. Guests get a hands-on experience by grinding the kernels on a metate (a traditional stone grinder) to create the perfect dough, or masa. Once the dough is ready, the real artistry begins—shaping the flat, round tortillas and “echar” (placing) them on the comal (a flat, earthenware griddle) to cook.

And because no Mexican meal is complete without delicious toppings, after trying their freshly-made tortillas, the students move on to making quesadillas by adding cheese to their creations. But for the Mexican palate, a simple tortilla with cheese is rarely enough! To complete the experience, they also prepare a fresh batch of guacamole to accompany the quesadillas.

Finally, the moment of truth: enjoying the warm, authentic tortillas made entirely with their own hands.

More Than Just a Recipe

It is important to note that María Luisa is not a professional traditional cook, but she graciously steps in to teach us. She and her family embody how the women of Teotitlán possess a deep, ancestral knowledge of the kitchen that is passed down through generations.

In fact, the primary craft of María Luisa and her family at Casa Cruz – especially her husband, the formidable master artisan Fidel– is the creation of beautiful wool rugs. Their work involves a complex and traditional process of spinning, dyeing, and weaving that is truly remarkable, and we promise to share more about that in a future blog post!

For now, we invite you to take a look at the incredible wool artistry of Casa Cruz on their Instagram: www.instagram.com/casa_cruz_gallery/. If you ever find yourself in Oaxaca, a visit to their workshop is a must!

What is your favorite Mexican dish to make at home? Let us know in the comments!