Masienda Review 2026: Heirloom Masa, Steel Tortilla Presses and the Comal to Match
A ball of fresh masa, cool and soft as clay, goes between the plates of a heavy steel press. One firm push, and out comes a perfect round. It hits a hot comal, and thirty seconds later it puffs up like a little pillow while the kitchen fills with the toasty smell of corn. If you've only ever bought tortillas in a plastic sleeve, Masienda wants to change that.
We went through Masienda's masa harina, heirloom corn, tortilla presses, comals, kits, prices and policies in October 2026. Here's what to buy first, what each piece of kit does, and how to save on your order.
The Story: Masa + Tienda
Masienda's name blends masa (dough) and tienda (store). The company says it has been supplying Mexican ingredients and kitchen staples since 2014, and names chefs such as José Andrés, Bobby Flay and Rick Martínez among the cooks who use them. Founder and CEO Jorge Gaviria wrote the cookbook MASA, and the brand is headquartered in Los Angeles, with teams on both sides of the border.
The sourcing story is a big part of the appeal. Masienda says it started in 2014 with twelve farmers in Oaxaca and now works with more than 2,000 farmers and artisans across seven states. It publishes yearly Sourcing Reports and became a certified B Corporation in fall 2025. The company also describes itself as collectively owned by its team.
What Makes It Different: Heirloom Corn, Two Ingredients
Masa is dough made from nixtamalized corn: dried corn cooked with alkaline water (cal), then ground. Masienda builds everything around that step.
- Heirloom Corn Masa Harina is made from just corn and alkaline water. Masienda says its colour and deep flavour come from single-origin heirloom corn grown in Mexico by traditional farmers. Add water and you have dough for tortillas, tamales, tostadas, pupusas or arepas.
- Masa Taquera is a newer masa made for tacos: white corn with a high-lime recipe that turns the tortillas golden yellow. The brand says the whole grain is present, so the dough bends without cracking and holds up to drippy fillings.
- Whole heirloom corn (Bolita, Cónico, Olotillo, Tuxpeño and more) is sold for cooks who want to nixtamalize at home.
- Masienda says its masa harina is never genetically modified and always gluten-free.
Shop the Masienda Highlights
Four standouts from Masienda's October 2026 lineup, with the prices we saw on the brand's site.
Prices change often; the brand's site always shows the current price.
Start Pressing Fresh Tortillas →
The Lineup: From a $6 Bag of Cal to a Full Kit
| Product | Price | Buy this if… |
|---|---|---|
| Heirloom Corn Masa Harina | $12 (blue, white, yellow); red $8, was $12 | You want to make tortillas with just masa and water |
| Masa Taquera | $8 | Tacos are the main event and you want soft, bendy tortillas |
| La Familia Masa Harina Bundle | $32 (was $44) | You'd like to try white, red, blue and Taquera side by side |
| Tortilla Press | $95 | You already have a pan and just need the press |
| Tortilla Starter Kit | $110 | You're starting from zero |
| Made In x Masienda Comal | $105 | You want a griddle that's pre-seasoned for tortillas |
| Molcajete | $65 (7-in. Chico); $95 (9-in. Original) | You make salsa or guacamole often |
| Tortilla Warmer Pouch | $45 | You want tortillas to stay warm at the table |
| Heirloom corn / heirloom beans | $12–$15 / $14 | You want to nixtamalize or cook from scratch |
| CORNucopia Kit | $280 | You want the whole set, cookbook included |
The Tortilla Press
Masienda's press is made of hot rolled steel for a sturdy, stable base, and its 8-inch plate makes a range of tortilla sizes. It's finished in the US with a food-safe powder coat in colours like Azul, Espuma, Blanco, Humo and Chile. The brand says it's a top pick from Epicurious, Saveur, Serious Eats and America's Test Kitchen. Every press comes with a pair of reusable liners printed with a sizing ruler, so your rounds come out the same size every time. Buy this if you want a press that won't slide around the counter.
Starter Kit or press alone?
The Tortilla Starter Kit ($110) pairs the press with a bag of Heirloom Blue Corn Masa Harina, a bag of Masa Taquera and a pair of liners. It's $15 more than the press alone and gets you cooking the day it arrives. Buy the kit if you have no masa at home. Buy the press alone if you've already stocked up.
The comal
The Made In x Masienda Comal is an 11.75-inch round griddle of blue carbon steel with a long handle. Masienda says carbon steel is naturally nonstick and durable like cast iron, but lighter and quicker to heat evenly. The first two seasonings are already done with shea nut and coconut oil, so you can wipe on a thin layer of oil and start. It also works for sautéing vegetables, frying eggs and searing steak. Buy this if you want tortillas that blister and puff, not dry out.
Build Your Taco Night Toolkit →
Shipping and Returns
| Policy | What Masienda says |
|---|---|
| Free shipping | Orders over $125 within the contiguous US (excludes wholesale and seconds) |
| Flat rates | $12 for orders $100–$124.99; $16.25 for orders under $100 |
| Processing and transit | Fulfilled Monday to Friday within up to 3 business days; most orders arrive 3–5 business days after shipping |
| International / expedited | Not available |
| Cookware and homegoods | Returns within 30 days, unopened and unused, in original packaging |
| Food and ingredients | Non-refundable, even unopened; quality or shipping issues are handled by email |
| Return label | $12 flat rate deducted, unless you add Checkout+ at purchase for free returns |
| Sale items and seconds | Final sale |
The brand asks you to reach out within 15 days of receiving an order about any problem, at shop@masienda.com. If masa harina arrives damaged or has a quality issue, Masienda says it will make it right.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Single-origin heirloom corn from Mexican farmers | Free shipping only starts at $125 |
| Two-ingredient masa harina: just add water | Flat-rate shipping under $100 is $16.25 |
| Sturdy steel tortilla press with sizing-ruler liners | No international or expedited shipping |
| Pre-seasoned carbon steel comal | Food and ingredients can't be returned |
| Certified B Corp with published sourcing reports | Seconds were sold out when we checked |
| 10% off your first order with email sign-up | Kits are an investment up front |
Who Will Love Masienda?
- Taco Tuesday regulars ready to graduate from packaged tortillas.
- Curious cooks who want to try tamales, pupusas or nixtamalizing their own corn.
- Cookbook lovers: Jorge Gaviria's MASA was a 2023 James Beard nominee.
- Gift shoppers looking for a kit someone will use every week.
- Values-led shoppers who care where their ingredients come from.
How to Save at Masienda
- Sign up by email for 10% off your first order, the offer shown on Masienda's site.
- Grab the La Familia bundle at $32 (was $44) and the Red Corn Masa Harina at $8 (was $12).
- Buy a kit rather than separate pieces when you need both a press and masa.
- Aim for $125 to unlock free shipping in the contiguous US.
- Check our deals page before you check out.
Masienda FAQ
Is masa harina hard to use?
No. Masienda says making masa is as easy as mixing a cup of masa harina with a cup of water.
Can I buy Masienda tortillas online?
Masienda's Organic Corn Tortillas are made from organic corn and alkaline water, and the brand points shoppers to refrigerated sections at Whole Foods Market and Sprouts. Its quesadillas are in Whole Foods freezers.
Does Masienda ship internationally?
No. It currently ships only within the US, and can only re-ship to the original domestic address.
What's a "second"?
A new item with a cosmetic flaw, such as a paint chip or crushed box, sold at a discount. All seconds are final sale.
Our Verdict
Masienda makes fresh tortillas feel doable on a weeknight. The two-ingredient masa harina is the easy entry point, the steel press and pre-seasoned comal are tools you'll keep for years, and the sourcing story gives you something to feel good about. Start with the Tortilla Starter Kit, add a comal when you're hooked, and use the first-order 10% off. Check our Masienda deals page before you order so you don't miss a current offer.
How we wrote this: MollyReviews researched Masienda using its official website, product listings, prices and policies in October 2026. We haven't personally tested these products and we don't invent ratings or discount codes. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you.