The molinillo is a wooden Mexican kitchen tool used to make hot drinks like hot chocolate and atole. It is operated by twisting the handle between two hands, and is often handcrafted with intricate carvings. The tool represents a cultural tradition and is associated with holidays and events.
The molinillo is a type of Mexican kitchen tool that is commonly used to make hot drinks. This tool is commonly thought to be similar to a whisk that mixes liquid ingredients by mixing them thoroughly. These simple, often handcrafted wooden tools are an alternative to many of the powered kitchen appliances sold in today’s modern retail markets.
To operate the molinillo, users typically hold the handle between two hands with the palms touching the wooden cylinder. When you rub your hands together, the handle twists and turns rapidly, causing the tool to mix the ingredients of the drink. This causes the liquid to foam and melt easily.
The molinillo is typically used to prepare various beverages common in Mexico and other food cultures. One of these is hot chocolate, where the molinillo helps blend the cocoa with the other elements of the drink. Some purveyors of this unique tool refer to it as a “hot cocoa frother,” particularly outside the areas where this item originated.
Many who use these simple wooden tools can also use them to create other types of Mexican or Central American drinks. These include atole, which is a corn-based drink, enjoyed in Mexico and Central America. Atole is served in chocolate and other flavors and often sold during winter festivities.
Another version of this drink is called champurrado. This is also a drink that includes cornmeal. Other common ingredients are milk, cinnamon, anise and vanilla.
Drinks made with a molinillo are often enjoyed with various types of regional foods. One of these is churros, sticks of dough flavored with cinnamon and sugar. Others include tamales, a regional dish served in a thick cornmeal shell.
Although the molinillo is a simple tool, it often represents a complex and elegant work. Tool handles may be bent or frayed. The head of the tool is often ridged both horizontally and vertically. The main part of the whip often includes various discs with their intricate carvings and patterns.
For many in Mexico and surrounding areas, the molinillo is much more than just a kitchen tool. It represents part of a culture and is the subject of various cultural associations with holidays or other events.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
