Metate

A metate (Spanish el metate, of Náhuatl métlatl ) is a millstone, which was used by all Mesoamerican cultures until well into the 20th century. It consists of a flat, generally three-legged tray or friction surface and a cylindrical pestle. The friction surface was - made ​​of hard volcanic rock, or softer limestone - depending on the area; the grinding stones were mainly of volcanic rock, which had to be imported from far away, for example, on the Yucatán Peninsula.

Using the metates was - under the constant addition of a few drops of water - ground corn by hand, which immediately afterward Tortillateig (Spanish la masa ) was prepared. The production of cocoa ( Náhuatl xocolatl ) or the ingredients for Mole separate metates were used.

There were also small, specially prepared for victims purposes metates, which is the close connection of the Mesoamerican religions and cultures to staple ' corn ' to the test.

Since the mid-20th century, the grinding stones were replaced by electric -powered mills that are to be found in every village and the women remove a tedious job. On the other hand, today the dough often added a little lime, which was previously generated by natural wear of the friction surfaces of alone.

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• Aztecs
• Kitchen appliance
• Mill Type