How One Chef Is Fighting To Preserve A Cooking Tool As Old As Civilization Itself | Still Standing

[@andrealabonair3519]

She's not just a chef, she's an artist dedicated to her craft of keeping her culture alive. That makes me so happy to see.

[@evangelinaaquinoluis7502]

Muchas gracias por su comentario.

[@HerePiggyPiggy]

She is rare, she is beautiful and I swell up with pride..when I see the metate it reminds me of the wedding gift that was passed down from my grandma to my mother which is now in my daughters possession.....Mole is only made by hand in our home.....this evolution obligates family members to gather and communicate and thru that act we begin the process of humans interacting, speaking, laughing crying even debates...I miss my family and I miss the warmth of a home. But I celebrate the memories

[@yamantakayamantaka9974]

Looks like another typically Mexican to me

[@aronchas]

A cook. Chef is a whitexican fancy term.

[@vayunbiyani]

In India, we use a similar tool called silbatta. Anything ground with this makes the food taste better similar to how a mortor and pestel bruises the spices/herbs instead of just chopping it fine in a spice grinder. So glad to see similar cultures around the globe!

[@mantrabhatt]

Agreed brother! Finally I found a fellow countryman who isn't salty and always makes claims of the notorious "5000 years ago"

[@nadheem420]

Which language

[@mantrabhatt]

@@nadheem420 Northern Languages

[@kurupath7775]

In South India, Kerala we call it "ammi kutti"

[@akhikfun285]

I have one too, in my home. I think most Indians use silbatta for making chutneys and spice mixtures!!

[@Serenity113]

As a Mexican American I am so happy to see so many comments from Indian people who say they have something similar in their homes as well. It’s so cool to see similarities in otherwise different cultures. 😊

[@AS-jo8qh]

And there are jealous gringos that don't like us pointing similarities between cultures. Please keep this beautiful tool alive. I have two. One for grinding spices and food items. One for grinding ingredients for my skin and hair care. It's easier to clean than mixies and blenders. And there also comes a guy in my neighborhood whose sole job is to sharpen the stone and I live in a tier 2 city

[@rishiinjeans1270]

Difference is instilled.

[@rankingresearchdata]

We call it *Silwat and Lodha* in magadh region of Bihar which one oldest empire in world.

[@bethroesch2156]

I was thinking the same thing. It's really cool to see a similar technique and tool that's used in such different places

[@engineeringcraftsandtutori2976]

People have taken the easy way out. Now a days it is very difficult to find this in city. But in village this type of grinder is widely used. Also some skill required to use this.

[@BabycubezOG]

Internet is such a blessing when used for exactly what it was meant for, Sharing Knowledge. I would have never known about this. Thank you.

[@SyarifudinNur]

"I don't know everything, but everything i know and am learning, i intent to share" that's the wise word i needed to hear today. This lady's love and passion for the food and culture are inspirational!

[@evangelinaaquinoluis7502]

Muchas gracias por su comentario.

[@THall-vi8cp]

An African proverb tells us, "When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground." We owe it to ourselves to learn everything we can from her and other like her.

[@hansmemling2311]

@THall-vi8cp That’s a really nice proverb. I have read some amazing African proverbs but this one I didn’t know. Thanks!

[@vassuprathav8178]

The stone is common in olden Indian culture. It is called 'ammi' in Tamil, it's even used as one of the tradition in Tamil marriages.

[@prithviraj1450]

❤️

[@technicalvillain6309]

Yes

[@malithaw]

It's popular in Sri Lanka too, at least it was.

[@ashishkumarupadhyay]

My mother use this for spice grinding every day

[@sarahliz2593]

We still hve it in Kerala

[@rosarioc.debaca1935]

I grew up in San Diego and my grandmother insisted that I learn how to cook the maize (nixtamalisación), grind the masa in her mother's metate and pat out corn tortillas by hand. I couldn't get through to her the absurdity of working so hard when everyone else bought their tortillas. She was right, the aroma and flavor of those homemade tortillas from fresh masa were superior to any store bought. She taught me among other things, to grind and prepare ingredients for mole and chocolate. She was the most stern teacher ever. I am grateful for learning how to cook all the foods that sustained Mexican Indigenous people for thousands of years. We have not suffered from diabetes or CV disease. I take great joy that my children and grandchildren appreciate and enjoy the food that my grandmother was determined shouldn't be forgotten because we live in modern times in the United States.

[@uwabamiJohnny]

I recently moved to San Diego, If you’re willing to share, where should I go to get the best food?

[@sytxc]

You’re right, the flavor and quality of tortillas is superior when made the authentic way. The type and quality of tortilla used in dishes such as chilaquiles, enchiladas or enfrijoladas greatly influenced the quality of that meal overall. I wish I could buy better tasting tortillas bc the ones sold at the store pale in comparison to what is made even in tortillerías in Mexico

[@halevirginia9523]

This is amazing! Blessings to your grandmother, yourself and your family.

[@olliefoxx7165]

You use the metate to make chocolate? I've never seen homemade chocolate from Mexico or the US. I'd definitely like to try some.

[@Dave_en]

@@sytxc The old school methods produce better results than modern machine made foods. This humble stone grinder can be found in every household but due to growing fast life, everyone is shifting to electric mixers. I prefer to do everything by hands because foods taste lot better that way.

[@Becausing]

This woman is so beautiful, intelligent, and well spoken. Such an incredible human.

[@lalodaniels1388]

Amen. A great representative of the beauties of Mexican culture. I wish all women were as beautiful and intelligent as her.

[@akshaysudhan841]

I've alway found the similarities in Indian and Mexican cultures so fascinating. Our countries are so far apart yet we share similar traditions.

[@frisco9568]

Not even close

[@aceborn2kill599]

Like?

[@muslimcel4581]

@@aceborn2kill599 tortila=roti for starters

[@lissettevelarde2058]

We also transferred spices to each other India: cinnamon, black pepper Mexico: chilies, chocolate, and vanilla

[@rashikagovindasamy8258]

There's a lot of similarities to Indian cooking eg, tortilla is similar to roti, the use of hot spices and the use of the grinding stone

[@ibro9633]

As a Ghanaian and African, this tool is still presently being used here in Ghana...so the chef is definitely not alone

[@Jellyhaf]

Very popular it is a compound kitchen tool

[@esinamjohnson324]

Doesn’t it kind of look like shitto

[@ibro9633]

@@esinamjohnson324 it does, some chop bars still even use this method to grind the shitto for you....

[@aquibmackey5757]

Same in south India

[@calmandfree]

Takes me back to early Saturday mornings, just grinding peppers with my siblings

[@hamasdfgh]

As an Indian resident in France, I have met so many cultures and I always felt that Mexico and India are so similar!! I am from Tamil Nadu and we still use it in my home sometimes for masala paste. The authentic taste is incomparable! Some traditions cannot be replaced. My mind is Blown 🤯🤯

[@nukeengineer5214]

Nothing better than masala ground in an Ammi Kallu

[@vidhyabala163]

Vanakkam anna😃

[@s.inbakumaran9287]

Its called ammi kallu in Tamil

[@siddarth3955]

Not just south, it's even common in north

[@SSchithFoo]

Same in Kerala and Sri Lanka.

[@sathi6320]

I'm a Malaysian of Tamil descent with parent from Tamil Nadu South India. My mum used this ancient tool called " ammi' to grind spices and herbs except that it was without the outer legs and propped on a upright rectangular brick block builtup just outside the kitchen with a hose nearby to facilitate cleaning. Interestingly, the chef in above video looks Tamil as well. Maybe we were all connnected at a point in history before recorded history of West began. This tool can also be seen in Msia 🇲🇾Spore, Indonesia. Thank you for this amazing video. God bless the Mexican chef above and please send her my best wishes from Msia.💖💙

[@Warrior_By_birth]

Now you know why Spaniards mistakenly thought they were in Indian when they arrive to the American continent.

[@MA-zv8wn]

VERY PRIBABLW WE WHERE CONECTED IN THE PAST. REMEMBER. THE ANCIENT CULTURES. WEEE SO AMAZING CULTURES AND THEIR CONSTRUCTIONS ASTRONOMY KNOWLEDGE , MATEMATICS , ISICIANS INGEENIRINGS ARCHITECTS ETC ETC. MÉXICAN GASTRONOMIA HUMANITY HERITAGE 🇲🇽💚🤍❤️🇲🇽💚🤍❤️🇲🇽✌️😀🌎

[@infinite5795]

Here in Odisha; India, we also use this grinding stone( we call it Siļa Puā in Odia) to prepare mixtures of herbs and condiments. Also, this Grinding stones were also found in the archeological sites of Asurgarh in Odisha, dating to almost 9000years ago. It is considered a personification of the bountiful Earth mother in traditional Odia culture and also used in Odia marriages.

[@shrutisahu]

ama odisha, ama garba

[@Priya-bt3oj]

It's used in most houses of India. I have seen it everywhere.

[@edwardkay3193]

All cavemen anywhere would grind something with a rock against a slab. Today we use it in home cooking to control the texture as opposed to a blender. Definitely not for commercial use like this person.

[@jeetenzhurlollz8387]

mauritius also

[@nyx3969]

my grandmother still uses it

[@sra525]

In India we had and still have Attukkal and Ammikkal both grinding stones which played important roles in South Indian houses. Attukkal, a round wedge-shaped stone with a pit in the middle and a cylindrically shaped stone used to grind rice and lentils for making batter for Dosa-Idli cuisine and Ammikkal a flat rectangular stone with a cylindrical stone for grinding (similar to Metate grinding stone) to grind chutneys or masala for curry. Today we use Electric Wet Grinder instead of Ammikkal and of course mixer has replaced the Ammikallu. In North India or where Chapati/Roti Indian flat bread which is a staple food also in other countries like Pakistan,Bangladesh, UAE, and also prepared with other grains like maize etc. in India we also had Chakki Stone which have two stones that roll over each other and with a wooden handle to rotate the upper stone and small pit to put wheat or maize which will grind when the upper stone rolls over the lower stone. It comes out as a fine powder. Again Stone Mortar were used to separate Paddy Grains from husk. Mortar stone with a pit in the middle where paddy grains were thrown and pounded with 4 feet wooden sticks. Small mortar and pestle stones are still used to grind masala for Tea or curry dishes.

[@jacobdouglass2951]

Thank you for that historic education. I copied it to educate others

[@NigelKennedyAfonso]

We use the same grinding stone and technique in Goa too. Every household has to have one and it's something we'd take with us even when we migrate.

[@kinderboy8894]

Malayalie dey

[@lukamarko978]

Arakall bro... Attukall is different with a dip in it

[@satatitripathy1472]

In East side of India Bengal & Odisha people too use these

[@erdvilla]

Last time my sister visited Mexico they traveled by land on a pick up. She brought one back, something that would be pretty hard by plane due to the weight and being a rock. At the border one officer asked if it was a historic artifact, for which she would need a permit to take out the country, but another officer knew it was a cooking tool and she got it in with no problem.

[@patc2296]

Well, in a way el metate IS a historic artifact 😊. Glad they didn’t act all butt holes like usual and let her pass with it.

[@bunjijumper5345]

It is important to not take out historical artifacts. People take them out of Mexico and then sell them to rich white people. People like you complain no matter what.@@patc2296

[@kellyclark7517]

I saw it today on food network,n the lady chef was going corn w this too. Very cool!

[@RandomChannel007]

This is so fascinating. India and Mexico are miles away from each other, but we have so much in common. My mind is blown.

[@tiktokfavorite3070]

Nothing suprising about it. Both were colonized by europeans and chilly is from mexico ans now indians use chilly in everything

[@SabrinaLovesPuffins]

two separate human civilisations thought of using a cylindrical stone.. a primitive and possibly intuitive tool. that is hardly mind-blowing.

[@AbhishekTiwari-xt1kt]

@@SabrinaLovesPuffins also their foods is also pretty similar if you know

[@criessmiles3620]

Non sense Africa thought this to the world 🌎 Give credit to whom deserve it From west Africa 🦅

[@ggfurious3144]

@@criessmiles3620 what?

[@Kpeace011]

To the people that have not try mole, I highly recommend it! It’s a dish that really expresses the rich culture in Mexico. It has a variety of ingredients that you wouldn’t understand how those ingredients could come together and taste so wonderful. It’s such a nostalgic dish for me, my beautiful mother still makes it to this day and it’s a delight every time. Thank you for doing a wonderful job at showing the tedious process at making authentic mole.

[@nickc5581]

You have offended me

[@Lucky00-00]

Its nasty

[@RandomVidsforthought]

@@Lucky00-00 Troll

[@blueshirthandyman8460]

My mom makes it too, she don't use the metate she blends it but it's still very delicious 😋

[@blueshirthandyman8460]

@@nickc5581 you are funny. 😁

[@nshrabana5307]

I am from East part of India (Calcutta) but now living in the USA for over two decades. We had these two devices back home in India and had been seeing my grandma, mom using these as it enhances the flavor of spices! We called it Sheel (the bigger flat one) - nora (the smaller tool). Not only that, the earth stove she is using, people living in the village of India still use this clay stove. Even the mat she is sitting on, exactly same as the one we had. I even have that same leaf-mat here in Houston that I brought from Calcutta! World is small!

[@angeljuarezdiaz2296]

😂😂😂❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤ seguramente somos familia 😅😅😅

[@kalpanatambe4990]

It took me a while to understand that this video is not from India ( I was watching the video on mute while multitasking) The similarities in cooking and surrounding is striking!

[@martinmorales5295]

When the Spanish arrived in Mexico, they thought that were in India , that's why native Mexicans are called or refer to Indians.

[@TNS_Mafia]

@@martinmorales5295lol thatz what Christopher Columbus said about America , back then the Aztecas were very dark , after the Spanish conquest thee people got lighter & they change the land name to Mexico . The original darker natives are still there in small towns

[@laughingvampire7555]

As Mexican I can tell you, no modern machine can compete with a metate, food in metate are just super delicious, corn tortillas in metate are heavenly, just by themselves without any filling they are amazing and with panela and sauce is just the best starter for the meal.

[@decemberkat]

You really can taste the dedication! ❤

[@garnaxaqueen]

Say that again! Love it!

[@its_elijah2169]

Could it be that the difference in taste is purely related to the skill of the cook?

[@Hollyfreeholly.]

@@its_elijah2169you are correct, but also when someone uses a metate it simply means everything is made from fresh produce. No synthetic or generic products or any source of preservatives which makes a world of difference.

[@silvereyes000]

Actually yes. When you use mixer grinder the food gets heated up. But when you grind with stone, it gets crushed and the juices mixes with the thing. It really has taste difference

[@pratib9663]

It's used in India too. We bought one a few days back. Gives a unique taste to the paste and preparations!!

[@lunasllenas1997]

Its a primitive mortar. Pretty much all civilizations used it, thing is american indians were using them less than 500 years from now.

[@randomlyswatching9481]

@Heisenberg noone asked but she's just sharing something interestingly common about a tool used everywhere. You might not be interested in it but many of us ARE. Don't be a child.

[@randomlyswatching9481]

@@lunasllenas1997 hmm some parts of South Asia people still do especially for grounding rice paste or some yellow curry paste. I have seen in Thailand i think 🤔...i visited long back.

[@shyambordoloi614]

🇮🇳 ❤ 🇲🇽

[@ManabDasiammanab]

Yeah, still used in my home.

[@459_nilavratbera4]

It is a really common thing in India. My mother has two of them. She uses it regularly for making pastes when cooking. They are called by different names in different regions in India like Shil nora, sil batta, Pata varvatta etc..

[@chanceDdog2009]

I think Indians and Mexicans have so many similar things. We even look alike . . Much love, brother

[@zitronentee]

Indonesia also has cobek + ulekan (mortar and pestle) made of andesit. Making sambal is much better using them than using food processor.

[@jonathanmastergame]

@@chanceDdog2009 No diga mamadas compa

[@chanceDdog2009]

@@jonathanmastergame no pues..... solo hablo La verdad

[@AS-jo8qh]

@@zitronentee stone tools>>>

[@ludwiglanestudios]

My grandparents are from Jalisco. We know about tequila and music and food for the most part. But Oaxaca is the mecca of food in mexico. It's my dream to go there to eat.

[@porfiriato84]

Im about to go to Oaxaca for the 2nd time. Yes, the food is as delicious as advertised. I can't wait to go and stuff my belly again! The hot chocolate is recommended too 😋

[@CarlosRivera-cg4cs]

"Mecca of food" 😂😂 only poor boring tortilla dishes in oaxaca

[@singhisking768]

😶😶this this sil batta its common in india specifically in villages how 🤔 common Mexican and Indian culture is 😳

[@vinaydaima5008]

@@waseempervezx4460 bhai read the title of the video "preserve cooking tool".

[@vitubiker]

Mexican and Indian food habits are similar to the extent of spice/heat levels, rice, kathi rolls in the form of burrito, and many more. One major difference being the non-vegetarian ingredients and recipes...

[@vitubiker]

@@waseempervezx4460 it's about the tool, not recipe. The tool being Sil-Batta which is quite common in Indian household.

[@RamkrishanYT]

Bhai Biryani khao, taco khao, moj manao

[@EmpressAshe]

@@vitubiker they even look and dress similar

[@pamelars7497]

When you feel the weight of mourning, few things offer so much relief as comfort food made by someone that loves you, to warm your soul. This woman is world class, she holds thousand years of tradition in her heart, ready to share.

[@evangelinaaquinoluis7502]

Muchas gracias por su comentario.

[@msKita43]

Beautifully put 💜

[@hannahsaldivar4030]

Mole is a labor of love and homemade mole like this is a blessing

[@mexicanrice]

Very well said … god bless

[@coleson2760]

Ready to share in the time you need her most. It’s a beautiful thing honestly.

[@jw3638]

I'm from Indonesia. I love reading the comments from people all over the world and the similarities we have. I have definitely seen families use stone grinding tools to make sauces and it definitely taste better. Thanks for this video

[@d.k.s.5919]

Another Indonesian! Heyy! I still have my mom's stone grinding set, and use it to grind spices after she's passed away. There is a spiritual element to this simple tool.

[@JERRYBRISENO]

This woman is a treasure!! I hope her family will learn to love this dish and follow in her footsteps 💚💚💚

[@dear7401]

It's not only the matate she is cooking her dish in the old fashioned way from roasting to grinding and grinding to boiling the sauce that is pure authentic. I loved it soooo much

[@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist3]

Repent to Jesus Christ “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ hu

[@selfesteem3447]

I bet the taste is utterly amazing and out of this world.

[@elysium76]

What’s wrong with using modern tools? What flavor is taken away?

[@mrQueven13]

@@elysium76 a blender for example adds heat and doesn't grind but is "cutting" the ingredients rapidly-- creates a different texture all together. The metate is made of volcanic rock also leaves a certain earthy taste behind. I mean maybe the differences are small, but I think there is something special to make things by hand anyways like baking your own bread or catching a fish.

[@mrQueven13]

@@sneescampers yeah agreed a restaurant serving thousand a day won’t have the capacity to do this on a regular basis

[@txemanovelo]

I am Mexican from Mexico city, and I cannot tell you how much I love business insider videos! they really are committed to dignified global traditions trough curiosity and dedication. Oaxacan cuisine is a TREASURE, and its absolutely delicious!! I am sure you guys loved every bite of it. Congrats! 🌹

[@B3OWULF416]

I like some Oaxacan cuisine and grew up in a city with them and their taquerias and carnicerias. I've had good tacos and mole. And I like the steaks made with a costra de chapulin ( if anyone is brave enough try it when they look that up 😂). My home city has Michoacan places too. I lived was born and raised in California but I moved to Pennsylvania 8 years ago and I get homesick for the food.

[@livacreative]

In Kerala, India we call that "Ammikallu". That small thing is different here, it's a bit short. Since me and my friend from Mexico start sharing culture, we realize that Mexico and India have so much culture in common.

[@jacobdouglass2951]

Not to mention, depending on reach others regions, it's almost exactly the same. Which leads me to believe that it's the same family splitter apart thousands of years ago. Each to learn their own language. That's why a DNA testing from the elders members of the family is important

[@jacobdouglass2951]

Edit.... each other's region, each other's family

[@AngryBerb]

It's really poetic when you think about it: A dish once reserved for those in mourning over the loss of a loved one, and the techniques used to make it, are given new life by women like Evangelina so it shall not meet the same fate as those with which it honors. While they may physically be gone, their memories aren't, because mole is thicker than water.

[@timo8032]

evangelina kinda thicc also ngl

[@cvdirecto5008]

That last sentence should become a quote itself

[@izebdeh]

Beautifully put 👏✨

[@theirtheyrethere7946]

that last line gives me shivers

[@potatocatstar]

@@timo8032 ayo???

[@PalliumImmortalis]

I grew up in Mexico, early in the morning my grandma would be using a metate to make tortillas, she'd take a tortilla and sprinkle some salt, squish it and make it into a ball, she called it a "ranita" (tiny frog) and give it to me, one of the best memories I'll treasure forever.

[@luciasss457]

My grandma would do the same but called it a burrito. 😢❤

[@rayitodeluna3618]

Ranitas were bomb

[@hrishikeshdutta9959]

This is used in our country since forever. This is how my mother makes Chatney ❤️

[@premkumar-zt6cg]

Isn't it chutney? I have rephrased . okay 👍😁

[@UnblockMind]

It's chutney, but I get your sentiment.

[@blackmamba677]

In tamilnadu south India we also use this

[@gateme3247]

@@UnblockMind chatney🤣

[@gateme3247]

@@blackmamba677 we know bro😅

[@Azza_amb]

It’s always beautiful to see this channel honor my culture. And to do it in a traditional way not a stereotypical one. I thank y’all.

[@doms.6701]

The Mexican market near me has metate for sale. They are slightly smaller. I remember my grandmother using it. She showed me a few times. Funny because she spoke English but refused to speak it with her family, especially with (me) her grandson who wasn't being taught Spanish. It was her way of teaching me. If I wanted to eat, I had to ask her in Spanish. I miss her so much. Haven't seen her in nearly 20 years, she passed 3 years ago. Love you abuela!

[@gyllenspetzfamily7993]

I have been looking for one...could I buy one in Arizona?

[@hidum5779]

spanish is colonizer's language too

[@Manny-117]

@Gyllenspetz Family I'd say try los Altos ranch market. Lucky me I got mine from my nana

[@jacobdouglass2951]

My condolences. Grandma's always hold a special place forever

[@lvn6454]

This video brought tears to my eyes. My abuelita passed away 1973 & I think about her and her cooking every day. Condolences.

[@MeGustaWHAT]

The chef is just fantastic, she's so bubbly and passionate about her craft

[@Lytyrs2go]

Always thought Mexican and Indian cuisine was so similar, tortillas and roti, rice, beans, corn, salsa and kachumber… Now the stone grinding tool is also similar. Stone-ground food dishes are preferred by many, but it does take a lot of time and effort.

[@Keeki549]

Don’t compare our cuisine with your nasty as people. I’ve seen the way y’all cook on instagram and tik tok. Using dirty hands to scoop food. Cutting meat with toe nails. Dirty cookware. And don’t use being broke as an excuse, there are plenty of broke people in Mexico who have sanitary standards. We not the same and thank god for that.

[@NoSeasBurro]

​@rajudevasani4327This migration never happened. There's no evidence to back up the "similarities" in either culture.

[@NoSeasBurro]

Maybe similar but tortillas are made of corn and corn was domesticated in the Americas. Beans is also part of our staple food and also native to the Americas, as are chili's. I guess we both like spices and spicy foods, so I could see the similarities there.

[@Lytyrs2go]

@@NoSeasBurro Flour tortillas are more popular where I am from. They are intended for burritos, street tacos and fajitas. At the store I frequent, there are about 25 different flour tortillas and only 3 corn tortillas.

[@CyberMachine]

@@Lytyrs2go In Mexico?!

[@specialagro3978]

As an African and a Nigerian I know what grinding stone means. My mom used it 😂. The elders believe the stew is sweeter when a grinding stone was used rather than a blender.😊😊

[@awesomeirlable]

Im Nigerian too and I was about to say just this

[@SR-vw3ls]

Whew. I was literally scrolling through the comments looking for this! Grinding stone are still used in the Ivory Coast too where my family are from. It’s quite common actually!

[@MrLiner101]

That’s what’s up. Always wanted to go to Nigeria 🇳🇬. Shout out to y’all 🫡 💯. Come visit Mexico 🇲🇽

[@AS-jo8qh]

What do you call it in your language?

[@bayman7899]

@@AS-jo8qhỌmọ ọlọ - grinding stone Widely used in Africa to prepare varieties of dishes even before the advent and prevalence of blenders.

[@sherryfatzinger3082]

It is great she is keeping the tradition alive. Hard work has paid off for her. You can see it in her face how proud she is.

[@henrycastro-miller252]

I have met Evangelina and she was so sweet and her food was amazing!!

[@inezy6329]

I am Malay (from Malaysia) and our ancestors use the same stone grinder...we call it batu giling..in fact we have an assortment of stone equipment such as for grinding grains and a stone mortar for pulping chillies, seeds etc for the kitchen..I have seen them being used in other parts of the world like in Africa, India and China..

[@alzeuselric1997]

Fuiyoohhh your ancestors are clapping their hands👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@d1r3wolf8]

That's amazing! In the Philippines we use stone grinders to make rice cakes and we call the process giling/giniling. It's just fascinating how cultures are really connected :D

[@KEJAD1AN]

Hehe mat saleh jakun kan, byk lgi diorg tk expose, padahal diorg jgk didik kita zmn batu lah zmn besi la, mcm mna la pemahaman mrk psl dunia kn 😅

[@elainelindsey1306]

In south africa we have indians and cape Malays( indian, Indonesians and Malaysians) they used to to use them alot in 90s. Not sure if sambals is Indonesians or Malaysian but they were made on these stones, even alot of indian chutneys. Most families still keep them has keepsakes.

[@inezy6329]

@@elainelindsey1306 Yup..sambal is from this region ie Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei n Singapore

[@BlackMambo5]

I love how similar Mexican culture and tradition is to Indian. Beautiful culture, beautiful people! Would love to visit Mexico someday! ❤from India!

[@KikiCatt19]

As a Mexican it always makes me extremely happy watching these types of videos even though personally I don't like mole I've always loved watching my mom and grandma cook it 💜

[@dannyaldama5228]

Lol is bomb

[@cortezyvonne]

*gasps* 😨 Its alright its like with all things not everything is going to be your cup of tea and thats ok.

[@KikiCatt19]

@@cortezyvonne Yeah I mean it's really good but I'm allergic to chiles so I can't really eat anything spicy even if it's really mild 😅

[@glenn6583]

I will gladly accept your portion 😀

[@cortezyvonne]

@@KikiCatt19 omg are u serious😨 thats horrible🫢 my condolences 😅lmao But i guess i kinda know how you feel cz i have IBS due to medications that i take so eating chile messes me up bad but atleast i can still eat it 😏🤷🏻‍♀️

[@jeenya659]

My mom still remembers visiting her grandma in their ranch and seeing her grandma and aunts mill the maize and then use their metate to really grind it as fine as possible to make fresh tortillas ❤️ she was raised in the city and was a city girl so she never leaned how to use one, but now that I've been exploring our culture she fondly remembers those days snd shares them with me 🩷

[@malcolmdarke5299]

A single tool that's 46 years old is practically an heirloom in its own right. Lots of history in a tool that old. The stone might well hold onto flavours, too, so that each new batch inherits a little flavour from the old and imparts a little flavour itself. A sort of living history that never truly passes as long as the tool itself is used.

[@autumnmiller9807]

Oh no, it’s not 46 years old. That’s just how long it’s been in her family. It might have been well loved before they received it.

[@missannie8012]

I own a hand blender given to me by my stepmother in 1986. It was her mothers from when she moved out on her own. It still works. So i still have just the one. Im guessing its close to 50 years old. Had mole once at the coast in Cali. It was delicious. Had it again at another place and didnt like it. Now i see there are different ingredients. I hope she has children she is passing this on too.

[@jorge666]

I mean technically it's a stone so it's probably like 230 million years old

[@googol572]

@@jorge666 🤓

[@namithahardey7878]

As an Indian living in South Africa the lora and seel is very sacred not only for grinding the spices and chutneys , it also represented the rock foundation at every Hindi weddings. 🇿🇦

[@N_Torres]

In some cultures in México, it is gifted and also worn/carried by the groom at the wedding.

[@kaustubhraizada]

@@N_Torres its a ritual in purvanchal weddings in india

[@bluray1194]

Lora😂

[@prabhakart1]

We use silauti and lorhi everyday in Bihar, India.

[@KethTamilTubing]

Same in tamil weddings

[@sanjaijs96]

I am from Kerala , a state in south India. It's remarkable how common this is in households here it's called an Ammikkallu ( literally translates to stone that help to crush ) . It's mind blowing the same tools are being or were being used in many parts of the world.

[@nuberiffic]

...well, yeah, if you wanna crush something you smash it between two hard things. I have a mortar and pestle in my kitchen, it's not surprising that basically every culture came up with a similar tool

[@sanjaijs96]

@nuberiffic sure but what are are odds of it being the same size and shape

[@nuberiffic]

@@sanjaijs96 pretty good. Humans are all about the same size and shape, so it makes perfect sense for them to come up with similar tools

[@signaturerush]

If you think of it. Traditional things from different countries often are common.

[@axolitoo]

their similar but the shape are difrent do

[@gracekarina7186]

This was so beautiful to watch. What a beautiful woman, you could see her love for her art. God bless her.

[@evangelinaaquinoluis7502]

Muchas gracias. Lo hago con mucho cariño.

[@jaimehipolito5667]

Beautiful. I am a Zapotec American and it’s so nice to see the traditional foods still being shared.

[@allthingstoallmen8912]

Much respect to all the women like Evangelina keeping cultures alive!

[@soumyadeep5]

She is keeping some thousands of years old tradition alive, but ironically her name is a catholic one

[@evangelinaaquinoluis7502]

Muchas gracias.

[@AlbertKimMusic]

you can tell she is a very kind soul

[@19ars92]

I can assure you that the most humble, happy, open minded, tolerant, traditional people in Mexico look like her, but if you go to the big cities you’ll find the most racist, classist, elitists Mexicans that would make you wonder if you’re still in the same country 😢.

[@andrejohnson6731]

She is absolutely lovely. All around. Such a ray of sunshine!

[@gitanjali08]

In India we have same stone structure called as Silbatta (hindi pronunciation) and pata warwanta (marathi pronunciation from Maharashtra) it is made with basalt rock in Maharashtra and other parts specially northern parts uses brown stone silbatta,, happy to discover he have similarities, love from India ❤️❤️

[@Wanderingsoul520]

@@kavithaV860 Yes. We use it for grinding masalas. For making chutney's as well.

[@vijayj4423]

I’m from mangalore raised in Maharashtra. We had two of those one which was round with hollow center where the masala were grinded and another one flat as the one in this video. The taste is incomparable with the grinders today. I would give anything to taste the authentic taste that my mother prepared.

[@sahilbhaila4213]

In Nepal we call it Silauta

[@anjalyp.m7853]

So happy to see other people from different countries are using it. I'm from Kerala (south India)almost every house has this. We call it 'Ammi'/"Ammi kallu ' in Malayalam.Kallu means stone. Even though we have electric grinds (mixie) everyone still use ammi. My Grandma says the food taste better when we it's from ammi😊

[@motherearth5229]

Even in TN also, not only in kerala

[@lusaka677]

In Uttar pardesh also. We live in Lucknow city and my mummy uses often when we make Chatni and non veg items। It taste so diffrent specially while making fish curry।

[@Dave_en]

You can really distinguish the taste and aroma if you try grinding mustard or poppy seeds. Machine ones give awful results because of high speed and heat while stone grinders excel in this department. Similarly coal vs gas or electricity. The taste and aroma stands out in case of traditional methods.

[@alejandrajarabo3354]

La importancia cultural de esta mujer es fenomenal. Se merece que le den reconocimiento en Mexico y en las comunidades Mexicanas por el mundo. La manera en que utiliza el idioma español es también admirable: habla mejor español que un profesor de universidad: su vocabulario, gramática, sintaxis, son absolutamente perfectas y los utiliza con enorme humanidad. Es un placer verla y oírla.

[@barbomagoprefigurador2823]

Además, si es zapoteca, es muy probable que sea bilingüe.

[@evangelinaaquinoluis7502]

Agradezco infinitamente su comentario, realmente me compromete más con mi cultura y tradición gastronómica.

[@ericg8285]

So many memories seeing this ! Que grande y bello es mi Mexico! Esta señora es lo que Mexico debería ser !

[@evangelinaaquinoluis7502]

Gracias

[@eluemina2366]

I'm from Nigeria and we had this at home growing up. Many cultures over here in Africa, even outside Nigeria use it. I was expecting something else from the title of this video but I felt a bit let down hehe. I guess this is surprising and new to Westerners but it's a normal thing to us. I love learning about these cultural connections. We are all related.

[@Chalize]

Yup people use this in Africa. I can confirmed this is widely used in Ivory coast as well.

[@Dave_en]

In previous cultures the whole world was connected through trade. After invasions every information is destroyed

[@vipyou1453]

Yes we call is grinding stone...if you Google grinding stone in Nigeria you will see different shapes and sizes

[@Dave_en]

@@vipyou1453 Yeah we all have been use grinding stones in different shapes and sizes to suit particular type of job. Technology just increased the speed of production but worsened in terms of quality output (taste and aroma).

[@sahilbhaila4213]

Common item in a Nepali household aswell

[@sanket_narode]

So satisfying to see similarities between Indian and Mexican culture, even when both are geographically exactly at opposite sides of each other 🇮🇳🤝🇲🇽

[@namithahardey7878]

We are connected .If we trace our DNA we are family. 🙏🙏🙏🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@gaston24uru]

Im a chef and i cant help but to see similarities everywhere. You both love spicy and chillies, both love sour flavors like lime, tamarind (also used in Mexico), both love cilantro, and both love rice and legumes. A mole that simmers for hours blending flavors until its starts "breaking" is a lot like a curry. Both indian and mexican cuisines are whole worlds of dishes cuisines and traditions

[@ronneyrendon5045]

eso! @@namithahardey7878

[@rayperez5918]

Yea especially that we also wanna see womens “bobs”. 🤝🏽🇲🇽

[@NishantSingh-qe7vv]

​@@gaston24uruthey even look similar rown

[@dalpi]

I bet everything Evangelina crafts is an explosion of flavor. Mexican cuisine is just sooo good.

[@ONOC4]

Que ricooo 🇲🇽❤ Que bello es nuestro Mexico!!!

[@ThePerfectionist89]

There is a similar tool still used in Indian villages where electricity is scarce. Its called 'Seel Batta' made of stone and flavors truly intensify when made using this method.

[@jaungiga]

There's a scientific reason for that flavour enhancement. While blenders slice the food and thus cut open just a small portion of the cell walls of the ingredients, a metate, seel batta, molcajete or any other form of grinding squeeze the liquids out of the things you put in/on them, resulting in a much higher extraction of essential oils. You see this very clearly with pesto which most people are used to eat made in a blender; when they try one made on a mortar they think it has a lot of garlic even though you normally put way less than in a blender-made pesto

[@ilham7345]

we still use that kind of thing, but in different shape. kinda mortar and pestle but flatter, and the pestle is angled

[@aizzuddinjanis]

@SnIpeR.7809 indonesian

[@ilham7345]

@SnIpeR.7809 indonesians

[@sarthak9587]

Even if electricity is present my mother still uses it.

[@thepettiestpersonever6534]

Eva looks like the kind of woman who puts her heart and soul into every single thing she makes and I guarantee that makes the food taste so much better.

[@evangelinaaquinoluis7502]

Así es con todo el corazón.

[@hellskitchenkritterandfrie3372]

Did you notice how she just builds and handles fire with ease? So amazing.

[@ponejito24]

All of those ladies do it, it's amazing

[@apblolol]

Mole is one of my favorite dishes. I feel connected to family when i eat it and i never knew why until now. Thank you

[@princetegaton]

This is called a "Grinding stone" and very common in rural areas in Nigeria and Africa. Access to electricity is fizzing it out with the aid of blenders

[@cfr1985]

I love when you cover and give Mexico and our culture, our flavours a moment to shine! De corazón se aprecia ❤

[@rubaiyattrina183]

We use this kitchen tool in Bangladesh & its been used from centuries. Its locally known as "Shil-Pata" (the cylindrical masher stone is the Shil & the mashing platform is the Pata). Its a very common kitchen tool & almost every single home owns one. Its easy to use & super versatile & used to make ground/mash/grind spices to making various types of foods. And sometimes its used & handed over from generation to generations like the present one in my kitchen was previously owned by my grandmother & then my mother & now me. Nowadays many new arrivals like mixer/food processor has arrived but nothing replaces the age-old traditional Shil-Pata.

[@jaimeochoa7256]

Loved watching Evangelina create her kitchen magic...❤

[@ananthuskumar1286]

I am from Kerala, India. We have this and it's called ammikallu. So good to see people from different country using it, lot's of love.

[@swolltron]

The Mole looks amazing. I love it. Great video, may their traditions live on forever!❤

[@chhavibhatt3128]

love how similar and appealing mexican food is to the indian palate. this tool is called a silbatta in India. my grandma used to make masāla-salt (called pisyu lon/pahādi namak), it used to be an amalgamation of garlic, roasted cumin, black pepper, chillies, etc.

[@sweetlikecandy11_11]

Cuando iba a México mi niñez me acuerdo entrar a la cocina de mi ama ( abuelita ) y mirar cocinando a todas mis tías cada una preparando algo diferente era algo muy bonito. Ahora de todas esas mujeres se nos adelantaron 4 en el camino , la familia se acabó el momento k faltó mi ama ♥️

[@19ars92]

La mujer moderna no le interesa aprender la cocina tradicional.

[@celuiquipeut6527]

As a cook and a foodie, who always said the secret ingredient is love. The emotion you put when you cook tastes. Its just a fact. And she said it very nicely. Traditional cuisine is art. Is love. Thank you.

[@millicent8053]

This is so true, I made a joke about using a food processor in the comments but the fact is, her food is as good as it is because it's a labor of love. (The fact she still uses the grinder is a sure show of that)

[@celuiquipeut6527]

@@millicent8053 I've studied cuisine for a couple of years with a french chef. And every great chef know there is a part of alchemy/magic that goes along with the science. 2 people will make the same recepy and it wont taste the same. Thats the beauty of cuisine!!

[@lvn6454]

Have you read “Like Water for Chocolate”? This story is a great read and parallels your comment.

[@nuberiffic]

It's because if you love what you do, you'll put more effort into making it, and more effort into getting better at it.

[@StraightestDakregor]

I love 1) How it's implied that this is the only woman in Mexico who uses a metate 2) the impressive amount of Indian people recognizing it as something they also use

[@christineperez7562]

It's not implied that she is the only woman in Mexico who uses this tool. The truth is most woman are not using it. There are a billion people that live in India.

[@Dianeediegoo]

Lmaoo I know right, a couple of my aunts prefer métate, but they live in rural Mexico. It’s not unique and I love how the people that keep referring to India is a shame Becuase your not appreciating Mexican culture. Your saying but WE have this, like the arrogance is wild

[@rajiyaahmed9863]

@@Dianeediegoo I don't understand how saying Indians have the same thing come of as arrogant. I'm just asking respectfully

[@luise.merida2189]

​@@Dianeediegoo they jeally we got the spotlight!!

[@JustDesserts56]

@@luise.merida2189 Grow up! Nobody is jealous. All the Indians did is comment about a kitchen tool that is still being used by different communities in their country. Embrace the fact that different cultures, from so far away, have similar tools.

[@mitrachandrika]

Omg I’m amazed to see how similar Indian culture is with Mexican culture. I have much respect for the ancient culture of Mexico. In my home in India we still use this ‘shil-nora’ to make masala(spice) paste.

[@alakhniranjan716]

Stone grinding like this is being done in India from tens of thousand years and it has been fantastic taste over latest mixer grinders. Very healthy too as it add minerals from the stone. Doesn't heat up and destroy the nutrition. Great job in Mexico by the lady..!

[@damilola_iid]

wow! i was looking up some nigerian recipes and remembered my auntie in nigeria using something very similar to grind and blend ingredients. i tried my hand at it once and…whew lol. love seeing the similarities in different cultures around the world here! “Traditional cooking is this. It’s art. It’s love.” 💚💯

[@univers182]

Looking at the thumbnail I thought it's either from southern part of India or SriLanka... But I was surprised it's from Mexico! We definitely are related... Our looks, way of cooking and even ingredients ♥️ love from India

[@YonalWijesuriya]

Yess, Sri Lankan here, we are very much the same culture

[@jr.solaris253]

Some of my best childhood memories are when I'd watch my grandma make masa on the metate. She'd make me a big tortilla and put some butter on it. Sounds like something so simple, but to me it tasted so good! Much love to all my brothers and sisters from India. We do have alot of things in common, don't we? You guys have my love and respect ❤️

[@silkyshahi9884]

In North india,we call it Lodhiya silautiya ...loved to see how we humans from different continent share some similar cooking tools from ancient times

[@wesleypipesgaming19]

It makes me happy to see her and her business doing so well!

[@evangelinaaquinoluis7502]

Gracias

[@decemberkat]

Yes! Makes me happy and hungry💛✨

[@aifosdico9460]

"La cocina tradicional es arte, es amor" mejor dicho imposible, felicidades Evangelina, mi mamá y mi tía, ya fallecida, grandes cocineras tradicionales también, por desgracia como dice Evangelina, nos dejamos llevar por el consumismo y siempre encuentro pretexto para no aprender a hacer el mole desde cero, pero mi meta antes de finalizar el año es aprender, lo prometo 🙋

[@evangelinaaquinoluis7502]

Práctica ese conocimiento y seamos orgullosos herederos de nuestra cultura gastronomía ancestral y tradicional. Ánimo.

[@olaloza1656]

The metate has been in Mexico for centuries,way before the Spanish invasion. It is beautiful to see her hold down this tradition most of her kitchen is a time capsule that is disappearing with today’s younger people who don’t want to put in the effort for the food. I’m sure she has a molcajete as well. No dejemos morir estas bellas tradiciones 💗

[@catalinamaldonado5710]

What a beautiful lady - the way she speaks and holds herself herself is admirable and beyond grateful! 😊 Thank you Business Insider for making this video, it filled me with immense joy to see my culture and traditions represented so beautifully! 🇲🇽 Great to see that other cultures have something similar! 😄

[@evangelinaaquinoluis7502]

Muchas gracias por su comentario.

[@grgcharan]

In India too, similar tool is in use for thousands of years. Every region in India call this with a different name. In my state, Tamilnadu it is called "Ammikal". Fascinating when you think that 2 different people in different corners of the globe came up with a similar looking tool.

[@CFinch360]

What a loving, charming and talented woman. Thanks for sharing her story & cooking.

[@evangelinaaquinoluis7502]

Muchas gracias, lo hago con gusto.

[@arpandipshit9889]

I live in West Bengal, India. And this is called Shil Nora in our state, and Sil Batta in the other parts of the country. We have one in our kitchen. Though we have modern mixer grinder too, but my Mom sometimes grinds spices or onion, garlic and ginger by using it. It is a part of Bengali or Indian households. And now I'm feeling glad by seeing that some other countries around globe are also using this too. 😊

[@cristianchavez1699]

man this touches my heart like you wouldnt believe. i have worked my butt of the last 13+ years to become the chef I am today and people like this are the chefs I truly look up to, just truly an ispiration

[@buscandoando8843]

Look for the roots!

[@michelllll91]

This is a traditional method we use in India as well! Lovely to know we share so many traditions with other cultures..

[@GenerationZero1]

After watching this I love the idea of keeping the tool in the culture.. however preserving is for museums. Because while watching her use all that arm work .. I thought to myself a blender would make quick work of that in a few minutes.. innovation is a beautiful thing, thank god for the ever evolving nature of invention..

[@PratyashaBaithalu]

We already have this in our home. Actually this tool is pretty common in India. Although people nowadays mostly use mixer grinders to grind up the spices. We use this tool when there is a power cut. We also use it for other purposes but we don't use it often anymore as we used to. This video just brings back childhood memories. Glad to see there are people preserving this culture, not only in India but in Ghana and Mexico.

[@mivvm]

I feel so lucky to have inherited my grandmother's metate from when she was a child and also to have been taught how to cook mole 😊

[@loveoneself277]

I love this ❤. My whole family is from Oaxaca and seeing that she’s showing off a cooking tool that we’ve used for centuries is amazing.

[@tonelopez437]

Doña Evangelina made me hungry a dish I will put on my to eat list ..🔥🔥

[@nw0913]

Her love and passion for food and the community is so inspiring and moving. Bless her for passing on such an important valuable skill and tool and most importantly love ❤️

[@FernandoLopez-py4ms]

I'm mexican, I was born in Oaxaca such a beautiful place. Since I was a kid my mom always prepare dishes like this one, during all my childhood this was so normal for me, I mean, I always knew my mother prepares nice dishes all the time, but now as an adult I realized nobody person even in Mexico has a opportunity for taste those nice dishes. I feel blessed for has a oaxaqueña mother :)

[@itsalladream5559]

I dont know if it come through with the translation, but she has a beautiful way with words. Her passion comes out so eloquently, I think she could be a published poet if she wanted.

[@Iolovelita]

This

[@AnaDiaz-wz4cf]

Yes! The translation is well done but it just doesn't do justice to the beautiful way she speaks. She is a wonderful woman I was greatly touched by her words.

[@evangelinaaquinoluis7502]

Muchas gracias por sus palabras realmente amo mi cultura.

[@rememberthebrowngurl]

It’s so beautiful to see how traditions are in different places!!! Also we use that grinder in our culture and it makes me happy to see her use it as it was used for centuries ❤

[@docsonnet8011]

These people should be elevated, appreciated, loved!

[@zahirulislammilon]

This is called batta (bata/বাটা) in Bangladesh 🇧🇩. We use it to make a traditional dish called bhorta/ ভর্তা . It's also used in India and there its called sil batta( as per the comments). I never thought that this was used in Mexico until today. Feels good to share cultures/traditions with other countries💓 💕 ☺️

[@ahaaan6550]

Lol 😂😂

[@peacenlove]

Even the mat she's sitting on is found in Bengal, it's called Sheetal-pati