OUR STORY

About Us

 

Here at Ortega’s Nopalitos we are passionate and proud about the product we provide, the prickly pear cactus aka Nopales! Established in 2007, we are the 2nd largest provider of nopales in the Houston area and we are constantly expanding our markets throughout the United States. With over 15 years of collective knowledge, insight and experience we are devoted to providing the most vitamin rich and ecologically sourced nopales. From the soil we use to the natural fertilizers that help grow our product into a beneficial part of any diet, we are committed to providing the most excellent and fiber rich nopales possible. The endless ways nopales can be prepared is one of the many reasons it has become a favorite ingredient in not just Ortega household but many Hispanic households throughout the United States and Latin American countries as well.

Ortega’s Nopalitos sources their nopales from multiple farms throughout mexico such as Puebla, Estado de Morelos and Mil Palta Estado de Mexico. The altitude, climate and mineral rich soil make it them perfect areas to grow nopales. By sourcing their product from those farms they are able to not only employ the local communities but also provide dozens of jobs for local Houstonians as well! The labor intense product preparation requires a human touch that is done at a precise, efficient and consistent manner which no machine can replicate. Ortega’s Nopalitos is dedicated to providing the highest quality nopales in Houston and its surrounding cities. Find us in all La Michoacana Meat Market™ locations in Texas!

 

 

Our Process

 

The Prickly pear cactus are cut or harvested in the blossoming and tender stage in family owned farms in Mexico. Pads traditionally known as Nopal are taken only from the prickly pear cactus. At this stage there are few spines developed. Nopales are a favorite Mexican vegetable, with flavor and texture similar to green beans. Harvesting of the young cactus pads are all done manually. Farmers are aware that they play an imperative role in ensuring that processing operations. Not only are they dealing with a difficult task, but are also coming across with high quality, healthy foods that are safe for their customers to consume. Once the prickly pears are harvested, they are shipped to the local warehouse in Texas (Ortega’s Nopalitos) where employees manually remove the spines. After the pad is cleaned from spines, the pads are conveniently chopped manually into modest pieces. Moreover the product is ready, it is stored in 3 different sized bags for your own convenience. Once the products are sealed they are deliver to your local market.  There is a great deal of care and tough work portrayed here at Ortega’s Nopalitos to bring the ideal option for a healthy living.