For the chain of ownership assignment, I have researched the history behind my mother’s tortilla press. Before starting this assignment, I was struggling to come up with an object that connected to a story of my family’s history. However, when I asked my parents the tortilla press was suggested which I was fascinated by because I did not even know this object had a story. The object is owned by my mother, Beatriz.

My mother’s tortilla press sits on the top shelf of our smaller second pantry. Most of the time it is stored away but comes out on special occasions. The wooden tortilla press is used in the process of making homemade corn tortillas. After the dough is made and separated into many small-sized balls, the tortilla press allows for an easy way to thin out the tortillas and make them the same size. 

In 2001, the tortilla press was gifted to my mother as a wedding gift by my grandma’s neighbor, Efrain. This tortilla press originates from Mexico, where Efrain handmade my mother’s wooden tortilla press. Although the exact date of when the tortilla press was made is unknown, my parents expect that it was made in early January 2001. Making wooden tortilla presses was a hobby for Efrain. The wood used to make this tortilla press is most likely mahogany.

The age and use of the tortilla press can be minimally seen from the outside. When the tortilla press is closed with the handle horizontally it measures 16 inches. The top large wooden block measures 8.5 inches. The handle rests on a 4x1x1 wooden block that has two nails that are 2 inches apart. The handle has six engraved circles; the first three circles on the left are close together being 1/2 inch apart, third and fourth circles are 3 inches apart, the fourth and fifth circles are 1/2 apart, and fifth and sixth are 2 inches apart. The tortilla press is 3.5 inches tall with one inch being two 11×1.25×1 different wooden pieces that are on the edge of the bottom piece of the Mahogany.

While my mother did use her tortilla press in Mexico, she ultimately decided that it would be put to better use if she had it in New York; rather than being stored away at my grandma’s house in Mexico since this object is a prevalent kitchen appliance in Mexican households. Tortillas remain a staple in Mexico and Central America (Arnés and Astier 3). Twenty-three years later my mother still uses her tortilla press. Although today tortillas can be purchased at grocery stores or Tortilleria’s, “where the dough is mixed by machine, stamped into disks, and passed by conveyor belt over a flame” my mother still occasionally handmakes corn tortillas to maintain her traditional culinary practices and because they taste better fresh (Tortilla). I tend to eat more tortillas when they are homemade rather than store-bought.

With my mother’s tortilla press, she taught my sister and me how corn tortillas are made. Thus, anytime we make tortillas at home, my sister and I participate in the tortilla-making process. Passing down this tradition allows families to continue to engage in their cultural heritage. Not only is Mother’s wooden tortilla press meaningful to her because it was given as a handmade gift, but she was able to stay connected to her culture by bringing it with her to America. 

Works Cited

Arnés, Esperanza, and Marta Astier. “Handmade Comal Tortillas in Michoacán: Traditional Practices along the Rural-Urban Gradient.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 16, no. 17, 2019, pp. 3211-, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16173211.

“Tortilla.” Britannica Academic, Encyclopædia Britannica, 4 Oct. 2021. s443-academic-eb-com.libdatabase.newpaltz.edu/levels/collegiate/article/tortilla/1353. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.