Why does food soften when heated?

Question

I don’t mean melting things like cheese or butter, but like a tortilla that is more rigid at room temperature, and then fluppy when heated (before crisping up when heated more).

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

There are a couple reasons. In some cases there are components that become less rigid when warmed. In tortillas there is often some fat that will heat up and become softer.

Another reason is that any existing water will turn to steam and make things softer. Like steaming wood to bend it.