During the 1300s, we see one of the most significant revolutions in agriculture up to that point in human history. Farmers around Europe are learning new ways to increase crop yields and allow them not only too produce for their families but also sell their crops for profit. Not only that, but the now grown food quantities allowed for new recipes to be used, and the use of the Mortar and pestle was essential in middle age cooking.
The Mortar and pestle is not a new invention. It was created in the 1500s BCE in Mesopotamia, but the uses of these cooking devices had a broader effect in the Middle Ages. Crops like carrots, cabbage, onions, and other vegetables, it is used to smash up and unwanted larger pieces of food that had been leftover from the cutting of the food, to create smaller bites. Would then be used in stews and other types of vegetable-based foods. In Janet Backhouse book Medieval Rural Life we see the use of the Mortar and pestle to cook dinner, "an older man supervises the contents of three large boiling cauldrons, while two more assistants chop up greenery and grind down an unseen substance with a huge pestle and mortar," (13).
From the Herb Museum in British Columbia Canada, it states, A lot of people prefer grinding in the Mortar and pestle instead of a food processor as this process releases the natural flavors of the spices, herbs, etc. more effectively. The food prepared with these ingredients is much tastier and aromatic. For people who enjoy the whole process of cooking, which includes the preparation, the Mortar and pestle are the ideal tools to have in the kitchen. A lot of people like to own and use one as a tribute to the olden way. This olden way being times in the Middle Ages that people would cook by hand with more time-consuming methods.
I liked this blog because I never knew what these were actually called, and I have seen them in so many homes over the years. Also did not know how old they were! Thanks for this blog, now everytime I see these in someone's home I will know haha!
ReplyDeleteI am one of the people who use a mortar and pestle. fresh hand ground pepper is a real work out but the flavor is pretty good. Its interesting to know just how long they have been tried and true method
ReplyDeleteI found this post to be really interesting because like Emma said i had always seen then but never knew their name or where they had came from. I've always found the mortar and the pestle to be a cool thing to use. I mean whenever i've seen people make guacamole they always use this tool. It is just neat to see that items that were used back then for one task are still used today for the same.
ReplyDeleteI have one of these in my apartment, and even I didn't know the name or history of them. I have seen them and used them to muddle certain things or smash avocado, and it is surprising that that goes back to medieval times.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this blog Hamilton! In order to chop food into smaller pieces, it is useful to use this invention. I do have a question, how does the mortar make the foods lose taste? I think this would be interesting to know, because it would help better understand the artifact. Good job!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great blog for showing how the mortar and pestle was effective in medieval cooking and modern day cooking. It is interesting to think that an invention from 1500 BCE is still being used today. Beyond just cooking, the mortar and pestle is also used in labs to grind up substances for experiments. This medieval cooking tool really is diverse, as it has so many different uses.
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