Wikipedia has an incomplete entry for it here and a much better one in Spanish here. Basically it’s just two rocks — one large flat rock at the base and a smaller, rounder (or oval) rock which is used to crush or grind the ingredient between the two. It’s like a large version of a mortar and pestle.
One would think that a food processor could easily replace it, but according to my grandma, the taste and texture of the result is completely different.
The batán is used to grind all kinds of ingredients. It’s used to crush corn and cilantro for green tamales, and huacatay combined with aji amarillo for aji de huacatay. If you gave my grandma the choice of using an electric coffee grinder, or the batán, she’d grind her beans with the batán every time.
Photographs by Michael Findley
just linked this article on my facebook account. it’s a very interesting article for all.
ReplyDeleteCoffee Grinders
Thank you Nitheesh.
ReplyDeleteAfter you linked that article it went from the lowest ranked post to the second highest ranked post on the blog. Also the link you put on your comment "Coffee Grinders", is not working for me.
Just returned from Bolivia where I saw several home Batan's but never saw one used. Thanks for the video.
ReplyDeleteThree cheers for your online store guys. You know how to satisfy your customers. God bless you. store
ReplyDeleteThe blade and burr are the two fundamental sorts of present day espresso grinders. http://thegrinderguide.my-free.website/
ReplyDeleteelektrische Pfeffermühlen oder auch electric Peppermills. Really enjoyed this article post. Cool.
ReplyDeleteNice details on the use of the Batan, the South American version of the "Mano de Piedra" or
ReplyDelete"Metate", as it is known in Central America and Mexico, where is used to grind grains, primarily nixtamalized corn, to make Tortillas.
A few years ago, on a trip to Peru, my Wife and I stayed in a small town on the foothills of the Andes, and there in the patio of the old Colonial home where we were lodged, was a Batan,I have long been an admirer of the ingenuity of Humans to solve common problems with the materials available, so I asked the cook that prepared our meals about the polished stone object
that was by the kitchen door, she gave me a quick demonstration and historical lesson, on the name and use of the Batan.
This article brought back pleasant memories of our trip to that marvelous country, Peru!