Torta

Torta is a Spanish (but also an Italian and Portuguese) word with a huge array of culinary meanings. It originated in different regional variants of flatbread, of which the torta de gazpacho and torta cenceña are still surviving in certain areas of central Spain. Tortas are also mentioned in Leviticus 24:5-9, in the Spanish translation of the Bible. Presently, however, the word "torta" is also applied to different kinds of bread and pastry products according to the region.

Historically the difference between torta and bread was its round and flat shape, as well as the absence of yeast in its preparation. The well-known word tortilla, used mainly in Mexico (not in Spain, though), means a 'small torta', while tortada means 'big torta'. In most regions a torta was traditionally considered an inferior form of bread, as the well known Spanish aphorism expresses:

In various countries of South America, and in some countries of Europe as well, the word 'torta' means different things. Nowadays the most common usage, however, is for cakes (from the German torte or French tarte) and less for bread products.

In many South American countries, as well as in Italy, 'torta' means a sweet cake, such as a wedding or birthday cake. Torta frita is a fried flatbread eaten in Uruguay and Argentina. Other uses of the word 'torta' include Huevo en torta, a small fried mixture of scrambled eggs, not to be confused with Torta de huevo, a typical pastry from Sobrarbe, Aragon, Spain, and Torta del Casar, a cheese made from sheep's milk in Extremadura, Spain.