How come my 2-week-old Don Julio flour tortillas are NOT moldy?

[Howard_2]

I opened this package of tortillas at least 2 weeks ago. By now I would have expected it to get moldy. There must be something in it that prevents mold. But whatr?

[mrbigshotno.1]

Because they are not real flour tortillas, they are an imitation meant to satisfy the unknowing palate of modern day Americans.

[coll]

The ingredients on the ones I have are:whole wheat flour, water, bleached wheat flour, high oleic safflower oil, soy oil, wheat gluten, salt, sugar, sodium bicarbonate and a few other preservatives. The first 5 ingredients (which is supposed to be the meaningful ones) have nothing imitation.They're not like home made but close enough for me.

[arjunsr]

in addition to all said above not all mold is visible in the big spores. just because you can't see it its good.

[coll]

Most room temperature tortillas are what is called "shelf stable" and last for at least 2 months without refrigeration.

[Howard_2]

OK, but *why* are they shelf-stable? Chemicals? Moisture content?

[coll]

This is the closest explanation I can find, it's all very mysterious

http://www.isso.uh.edu/publications/A...

They just appeared and I thought it was a nice idea overall. I jumped on it right away myself.

[iluvcookies]

Look at the ingredient list... that will give you the answer.

[paulj]

There may be a preservative in the dough, or may the packaging. Sodium benzoate is a common one. But I have noticed less of a tendency (over several years) of Trader Joes tortillas to mold, which I attribute to more sanitary handling at the factory, reducing the mold spores that are present from the start.

[joe777cool]

My guess would be the tortillas have a low moisture content. Mold needs moisture, among other things, to grow,