My Mexican friends know what this is. For the rest of you, it's a lesson in durability and obsolescence. The metate (the gently curved rock on the bottom) and the mano (the stone baton on top) are essential pieces of Mexican kitchen equipment. They're essential today - just as they were 3500 years ago. They are made of bassalt. This one measures about 14 inches (34cm) wide by 17 inches (41cm) deep by 10 inches (24cm) high (at the back). It weighs about 25 kilos. It has three legs and slopes toward the front. It was/is used for grinding (mostly) dry ingredients. The most common were/are corn (to make tamales and tortillas) and cocoa beans (to make chocolate and mole). In Oaxaca (in southern Mexico) metates are often hand painted on their sides and given as wedding gifts. Once given, they become family heirlooms, passing from cook to cook. Today, many Mexican cooks use a food processor or blender. However, the end result is different. A metate and mano grind ingredients, whereas a processor or blender shreds.
KITCHEN EQUIPMENT CIRCA 1500 BC
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