What Is Masa Harina?

Curious about the tangy, distinctive flavor of corn tortillas? That’s the magic of masa harina. This corn-based dough flour is a cornerstone of many Latin recipes. But how is it different from cornmeal or corn flour? And what’s the deal with masa dough? Here, you'll find everything you need to understand masa harina and ideas for incorporating it into your cooking.

What Is Masa Harina?

Masa harina (which translates to "dough flour") is often confused with masa dough, but it’s actually a unique flour made from corn kernels that have been treated with a lime solution (not the fruit, but calcium hydroxide) to make hominy. This process gives tortillas their signature sour taste. Once soaked, the kernels are rinsed, dried, and finely ground into a powder resembling regular flour.

Masa Harina vs. Masa

The distinction between masa harina and masa is straightforward: masa is simply the result of mixing masa harina with water, creating a corn dough used in many classic Mexican dishes like tortillas and tamales.

Masa Harina vs. Cornmeal and Corn Flour

Both cornmeal and corn flour are derived from dried, ground corn. The key difference lies in how finely they are ground, with cornmeal being coarser and corn flour being much finer. Unlike masa harina, neither undergoes the lime-soaking process, which is why they lack the characteristic sour flavor of masa harina.

Masa Harina Substitutes

While you can use corn flour or cornmeal as a stand-in for masa harina, you’ll miss out on the unique flavor that comes from soaking corn in lime water. So, what’s the best way to replicate that signature taste?

If you can’t find masa harina, some Mexican grocery stores carry pre-made masa dough as an alternative. However, for that authentic sour flavor, try grinding up old or dry corn tortillas in a blender or food processor until they form a fine powder.

Where to Buy Masa Harina

You can typically find masa harina in the international section of most large grocery stores, or at Mexican markets. You'll likely encounter different types labeled with colors like blue, white, and yellow masa harina. These colors correspond to the type of corn used, with the yellow and white versions often having a slightly sweeter taste. You might also see it labeled as "instant corn masa mix." Well-known brands that offer masa harina online include Maseca and Bob's Red Mill.

How to Use Masa Harina

Let’s begin with the classic and most popular use of masa harina: making corn tortillas! Combine masa harina with water and salt to create your masa dough, then heat up the griddle and cook them fresh.