subject: You may find very inexpensive molcajetes on the web [print this page] You may find very inexpensive molcajetes on the web
A mortar is a bowl shaped container made of a hard wood, marble, pottery, or stone. The pestle is a bat shaped tool that is used to grind inside the mortar (bowl) and pulverize grains, herbs, and other food substances as well as medicines. Italian frescoes of the 15th Century show Mortars and Pestles in use by Apothecaries (ancient Pharmacists). The Molcajete or Mexican version of the mortar and pestle appears in Mexican pre-history in the Tehuacn Valley, as early as the discovery of our hybridized present-day corn, 6,000 years ago
The word molcajete (mortar) derives from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs: "molli" (seasoning or sauce) and "caxitl" (bowl). The word tejolote (pestle) also derives from Nahuatl: "tetl" (stone) and "xolotl" (doll)."
Foods traditionally prepared in the molcajete include salsas and mole's (mohl-LAY), as well as guacamole. It is also used for grinding chilies, garlic or other herbs and spices for food preparation.
You may find very inexpensive molcajetes on the web. These molcajetes have a very "rounded appearance" with pear or cone-shaped pestles. They are softer and easier to carve and thus less expensive. Unfortunately they are terribly sandy and no matter how you may try to cure them they will always be sandy. They are also typically very shallow so they don't have a very usable capacity. These pieces are fine for decoration or serving only but they are not recommending using them as a preparation or grinding tool
Lava rock Molcajete
The molcajete is a bowl that does what we spend hundreds of dollars to get an electrical appliance to do. This is a bowl used to traditional Mexican cooking and is made entirely of lava rock.
The closest thing in western culture is the mortar and pestle that is sometimes still used in pharmacies.
The tool are used to grind spices and smooth avocados for guacamole. The lava rock molcajete is special as the stone has a very rough texture and it replenishes its texture as it gets ground down. This surface is just right for pulverizing the seed and stems of the various spices used to Mexican cooking. The molcajete has a unique ability to hold onto the essence of every time, in the same that the old cast iron skillets and pots that were used by the early Americans did. You will see these tools used in restaurants as a decorative way and to serve food and to keep the food warm.
The lava rock molcajete is great at not only grinding but also as a thermal insulator for your dishes and pots. It is not usual to find that they look like animals as they often carved to resemble farm animals. It is said to be a part of their charm. These molcajete can be bought retail or wholesale today but it is hard to find them made the authentic Mexican way. That is why I found one online it became my mission to let other know about this great tool. They are best appliances you will never need to plug in. certainly, lava rock molcajete works better than any blade for crushing spices into the finest powder.
