El Molcajete Mexicano

Molcajete or Mexican Molcajete – A large stone bowl or mortar and a pestle to grind chiles and spices. Molcajete’s size may vary because of the stone, but it’s usually around 8 inches in diameter and 4 1/2″ inches tall. The Molcajete it’s hand carved lava stone. Each piece is hand crafted by an artisan. Your molcajete may have minor variations to the one shown on the picture.

The word molcajete (mortar) derives from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs: “molli” (seasoning or sauce) and “caxitl” (bowl).

“Foods traditionally prepared in the molcajete include salsas and mole’s, as well as guacamole. It is also used for grinding chilies, garlic or other herbs and spices for food preparation.