Most Britons have no idea how to fold a tortilla, claims study

Wrap tight and don't overload

Pictured: The real deal tortilla, found in Mexico. ((OMAR TORRES/AFP/Getty Images))

Many Britons are unable to correctly fold and seal a tortilla wrap, a study suggests.

Researchers who explored the wrapping techniques of 2,000 adults found 58 per cent were unable to create a neat, tightly-sealed wrap due to errors in their wrapping technique and food ratio.

As a result, over a third of Britons have wanted to eat a wrap but decided against it because of the implications of creating a huge mess in the process.

Chicken was the favourite filling with just under half saying it was their top choice ingredient when creating a wrap.

The research found the nation is split by four wrapping methods: The Envelope, The Tube, The Fold and The Risk Taker.

Thirty nine per cent use The Envelope method, folding the end of their wrap in the style of said envelope.

One third of people use The Fold, leaving space at the end of the wrap to fold in the top and bottom.

And The Tube, not securing either end, is also popular with one in four preferring this option.

One in ten identify as wrap Risk Takers, the OnePoll study found, freely admitting to stuffing as much filling as possible into the wrap, despite the impact on structure and mess.

Of the gluten-free respondents to the survey, commissioned by Warburtons, 68 per cent said they wish they could eat anything, and over a quarter believe there aren’t enough options for those following a gluten free diet.

Gastrophysicist, Professor Charles Spence reveals these simple tips and tricks to ensure wrap success:

1. Get the wrap tight. Including something sticky on the inside to hold ingredients together can help. This is where condiments, sauces, and purees really come into their own. Then, crucially, make sure not to stuff too much inside.

2. Maintain the structure. The answer here is to include ingredients which contribute to supporting said structure. Sticks of celery, carrot, pepper all work well here, especially if they are wrapped tight.

3. No soggy bottoms. Keep the soggy ingredients, like tomato away from the surface of the wrap. A top tip is to wash some lettuce, paper-towel dry it, then lay it against the inner surface of the wrap before adding wet ingredients and sauces. The lettuce will makes it great because it gives the wrap a sonic crunch too.

4. The optimal filling to wrap ratio. Here it is important to note that more isn’t always better, as it can lead to the wrap being too big to fit in the mouth, and/or be difficult to hold. The more you try and fit in the more likely it is to fall apart too. Another tip is to wrap the wrap in greaseproof paper.

5. Make it easy on the eye. Colourful ingredients around the outer perimter give it an aesthetic appeal.

Top five tortilla wrap fillings

Chicken

Cheese

Fajita-style chicken, peppers and onions

Beef

Avocado

SWNS