Our assignment was based on mortar and pestle. We have to come imaginative ways to of what people from the future would think what is mortar and pestle. But before we can come out with crazy ideas, lets keep track with the facts. So here is my research outcome.
Early ancient times, primitive metate grinding slabs were used to mix and grind various plants to make mostly medicine. The grinding slab was then as simple as a rock with various size of holes. These different hole sizes help determine the quantity needed to make certain medicine. As time pass by the grinding slab gradually evolved to the item which we know to day as the mortar and pestle.
Mortar and pestle were intentionally made for medicine purposes where they can grind various herbs and plants to prepare traditional treatment. The mortar and pestle, along with other essential stuff were then symbolized as pharmacological items. In the pharmaceutical industry, the mortar is made out of porcelain, while the handle of the pestle is made of wood. It was called as the Wedgwood mortar and pestle founded in 1779. The process of mixing, grinding and or reducing the size of the food or ingredients is known as saturation. Other than preparing of food or preparation for insulation, it is also used to grind up pills to decrease the time usage of pills absorption in the digestion system.
Mortar used to pulverize plant material.
Mortar are used as cooking preparation material, to pound and grind ingredients in using pestle. It's usually used to grind spices into powder. There are many kind of version and one is the molcajete version. this version is used by pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican cultures including the Aztec and Maya. In Mexico, Mexican mortar and pestle that were made of basalt and was commonly known and used for cooking intentions.
On the west side of this planet, native Americans bedrock carved mortars to grind acorns and other types of nuts. While the eastern side, the Japanese use large sized mortars with wooden mallets to prepare mochi. The Japanese use regular size ones too which are called suribachi and surikogi. In Southeast Asia, India and Pakistan, mortar and pestle is made out of granite and it is used commonly to mix up the ingredients to form many handmade dishes until today. The Mortar is known as 'Lesung' in the Malay language which measures up to two or three feet. Wooden pestle used in Middle East are usually to grind meat, kibbeh known as masabcha.
The usage of mortar and pestle gradually decreases as mechanical grinders were made such as the blender. Though it is used for traditional purposes such as the Hindus where they use it crush turmeric for wedding purposes.
Mortar and pestle must be made by hard substance so that they'll be strong enough to crush the ingredients and so that they'll last longer. The surface of the pestle and the inner part of the mortar should be cohesive so that the ingredients won't stick or mix with it.
Whatever was made previously shall leave a mark. This effect will add a great taste when it comes to preparing other foods. While making medication, the previous content will contaminating with the current ingredient.
When trying to grind substance to very fine powders, it requires a mortar and pestle made out of rough ceramic. But the effects of it is that easily stained and are brittle.
Mortar and pestle are made but many types of material.
-Porcelain mortars are good when it comes to give a good rougher surface to reduce the size of the food particles but with the help of grinding sands.
-Mortars and pestles made from glass are stain resistance. They are most suitable when comes to mixing liquids. But they're are fragile and don't grind finely like ceramic.
-When it comes to grinding salt and pepper, wooden mortar and pestle are the ones to count on. They are made from old grape vine wood.
-Mortar and pestle made from molcajete needs to be seasoned first before it is used. They are also other material that follows the same procedure, mostly made from stone.
-Metal mortars are kept lightly oiled.
This research was brought to you by Wikipedia. Your not-so expert research friend :P
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