How to Cure and Season A Molcajete - Mortar & Pestle

If you are thinking of purchasing a new molcajete, make sure you order a good one. Although true molcajetes are made of basalt, imitations are sometimes made of a mixture of pressed concrete and volcanic rock particles. lightly grind the pestle and the mortar, smell it and If they smell like cement or wet masonry mortar, then it's probably fake.
A molcajete has to be cured before use by wearing down the inside of the stone bowl so that when you grind food up inside of it, grit won’t break off and ruin your food. After it is cured, it can be seasoned appropriately to start you off by making delicious salsas and guacamole.
If you find this video useful, leave me a heart, and thank you for watching!
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#molcajete #howtocure #salsastyle #mortarandpestle #mortar #rare

[@krupag8149]

I've always been told to never use soap 😮

[@corrinenolan344]

My great grandparents were married in 1919 and they were gifted a molcajete at their wedding. Along with a broomstick palote. The molcajete has been handed down and now sits as my center piece in my table. I use it for holidays only. Molcajetes are very special because I feel they hold your moms, grandmothers energy with you in your kitchen. Ty, I'm going to use this technique on my new ones.

[@kalugotlanagaraju2661]

VR y

[@angiemunoz7555]

I had no idea that this needed to be done to a new molcajete!! Thank you, not only telling us but also showing us how to do it. 💜💜💜

[@idellasheart]

Your video instruction for seasoning a Molcajete surpasses all other videos I have seen. Simple, easy to understand, easy to follow, and realistic about how much work is involved. I invested in the best Molcajete I could find and after about 3.5 hours of work, I gave up. You have inspired me to go back and stick with it. Thank you for sharing!

[@Bllue]

That is the cutest molcajete I've ever seen

[@dangracia4611]

Well I finally made a Salsa Verde with my Molcajete. I had already seasoned it with salt and rice until the rice no longer turned gray and I no longer got any bits in it, which was what turned it gray. So although I didn't use garlic in it originally, the very first thing I ground into a paste with it was 4 cloves of garlic in with some kosher salt. Then I used my flat, round, cast iron skillet (like a comal) to heat the tomatillos until soft enough to put in the molcajete. After that I roasted and added some poblano pepper instead of serano or jalapeño peppers that are normally used, because my wife can't handle much heat. Took me a bit of grinding but it turned out great. I had some of it with some tortilla chips and then I used it with some shredded chicken and cheese tamales that I made. I never used soap on mine, just rinsed it with water and scrubbed it with an escobeta. I set it on a drying pad and it dries out very quickly. I also used it to mix up some garlic cloves, salt and water to add to my red sauce that I used for the Pork tamales I made alongside the shredded chicken tamales.

[@lichecavazos5172]

I'm glad you said you didn't use soap. I read in another blog to not use soap because the scent and flavor will get into the small holes. I'll leave the soap step out too.

[@albertam.9301]

This video is very informative and I thank you very much!

[@kellys405]

This could not come at a better time I was given an old one from my dads friend that passed away but he visited Mexico frequently and that is where mine was purchased. This thing is over 20 years old and not used was sitting in garage so got some work to do!

[@aliciagonzalez9888]

I have my molcajete for years and I love it. My daughter just got married and I have her one. ♥️

[@texassews535]

I just got through with my Mocajete. I did the process three times and put it away, knowing I would have to do it a few more times to finish. One year later I got it back out and I had to do it a total of 8 times to get the rice white afterwards. Mine took about 8 hours total. It was very laborious. Whew! My hand still hurts from doing it. I need to scrub it with dish soap now and do the garlic. Being older, it is a lot harder to do than if I was a young woman. I am almost done and as someone once said, it is a piece to hand down to your family members-an heirloom, so to speak. I am looking forward to being able to use it on Thanksgiving for the family. Thank you for the video and the labor of love.

[@SaltyCocina]

WOW! It truly is a labor of love, good thing we only do it once and enjoy it for many years to come.

[@luciabriseno4065]

I absolutely Love your new molcajete. ❤️it’s SOOO CUTE. I AM CURING My molcajete as I watch your video. Thankyou for this tutorial. I have never had one before and am SOOO EXCITED to get started on using Mine.

[@chaotatca2003]

Wow, such a great collection mortars.

[@kellys405]

This is great and useful and just what I needed easy instructions!

[@jamierussellville101]

The chicken one is so cute!

[@feliciabrasuell1997]

Thanks for sharing and showing us how to season our mortar and pestle

[@vanessajeschke]

This was very helpful. Thank you

[@SaltyCocina]

You're so welcome!

[@lindaprice2116]

Love your videos. You do a wonderful job of explaining things and your videos are edited beautifully as they don't drag on. They are short and still cover all the points. Keep them coming your doing a wonderful job 💕🌺💗

[@ramiromora5963]

Sister found hers at San Fernando Swap Meet… Just sent her your video.👍🏽👌🏽 Thanks 🙏🏽

[@furiustylz0075]

❤️ thank you, I received one today and I can’t wait to make great salsas and seasons.

[@daifuruta581]

I got my first mini-size molcajete from my Mexican friend. My dream came true, she surprised me, anyhow, I found your video very informative. Thank you.

[@seamus6387]

Man, you have some nice ones too! Last one I bought was purely decorative because it had some cracks that where covered up with stone dust and glue. Thankfully I got my money back.

[@jsoto136]

This makes me feel so much better I was gifted a molcajete and I noticed it absorbed some funky smells from hanging out under the sink for a while n I kinda freaked out because I washed the crap outta it with dish soap n mom told me I could have ruined it, I believe it's more along the lines of granite though it's not lava stone

[@victoriagonzales3140]

Hello I just bought two Molcajete and I need to season them up I've been asking friends and family members and no one knew how smh. Thank you for sharing your video now I can get them done😊 and I love the lil chicken Molcajete I need one I collect roosters and chicken decorations😊 Thank you Victoria So cal High Desert take care.

[@dmartin4295]

Nice collection of molcajete's❣

[@sharonmccollister4204]

Thank you for this. I have one to cure and had no idea how.

[@blancaaguila4123]

Thank you for showing the right ✅ method to cure the molcajete best wishes 🙏 from Edcouch Texas ❤

[@veronicagomez7671]

That is so beautiful

[@anthonygiaconia7880]

Thank you for this video.

[@Sarah-fj1fh]

Thank you 🌻 it was easy to learn from you now I can't wait to make horchata 💕

[@rachelle1]

I need a chicken one like yours!!! Where can I get that?! 😍

[@cathymarquez2466]

Thanks for sharing. ♥️♥️♥️I love your new Molcajete. 🤗

[@chairezster]

This was a great video- thank you for sharing this

[@stephany3434]

Why do some people say to never use soap on a molcahete?

[@hcastillo777]

I had same question.

[@3jane821]

The chance of the end product tasting like soap.

[@marilynarroyo6105]

I have a small one, but didn't do this, just washed. Now i know!

[@ZoobieShihTzu]

I love this molcajete !!!

[@jimford8533]

I heard you’re never supposed to use soap in them

[@SaltyCocina]

I only use a very small amount for curing it, after each use wash with only water

[@jenniferdowler5535]

Thanks!

[@SaltyCocina]

Thank you 😊

[@OriginalGirl59]

🥰❤❤❤Thank you!

[@tatiananaugolnykh]

How do you know if it is real rock or glued with concrete ?????????????

[@maryanngonzales3465]

❤️

[@michelleahrens3359]

Thankyou so much now I can cure my mortar pastel

[@saremo83]

Can you make more molcajete videos? Also a video on how to routinely clean it? ❤ is it normal to still have debris in the holes? ❤

[@SaltyCocina]

I suggest using a hard brissel brush to clean with just water after each use. The ones from the 99 cent store work great.

[@rebeccaadame2799]

Thank you for showing us how to cure the molcajete. Where did you get that adorable turkey molcajete.

[@SaltyCocina]

I found it at our local swap meet, In Casa Grande Az there is a store that also carries them. Casa Grande Artesanal.

[@rebeccaadame2799]

@@SaltyCocina boohoo!! I live in NC!

[@MrRockfish01]

Hello, I really want to get a molcajete but I’ve been reading that most of the molcajetes sold at big stores are made with concrete is there a way to tell what’s what when it comes to buying a molcajete? Thanks

[@SaltyCocina]

One thing you should look for is the smoothness of the molcajete, If it's too smooth is most likely concrete. Make a small scratch and if the area scratched has a white residue then it's most likely concrete, they are also lighter in color.

[@kakashi1234777]

I think I prefer the granite ones with no holes.

[@franklugo6928]

Depends on what you are using it for. Granite does not grip like volcanic rock, so it doesn't make great salsa. But granite mortar and pestle does make good powered spices and volcanic rock is horrible at that. It's like comparing a fork to a spoon. Both are great at what they do, but rarely can they do it all.

[@donovanb9020]

​@franklugo6928 facts. I like my salsa chunky but my granite ones required a buttload of work. So, I ended up buying a volcanic rock one and it was so much easier to get the texture I like. :) I started with one and now, I have four lol.

[@ElizabethCruz-jd1cl]

I inherited my mom's mochajete from when I was born I'm 66 years old and my mom had the molcajeta before I was born do I need to treat the mochajete because it hasn't been used in years My brother gave it to me and he doesn't cook

[@SaltyCocina]

You only treat it one time. Just rinse it with water before and after each use.

[@Lacocinaymas]

New subscriber 🌹♥️

[@SaltyCocina]

Thanks for subbing!

[@arod7404]

What purpose does the garlic serve?

[@figgiesmalls1760]

Taste and anti-microbial agent

[@juderichard9919]

I have owned them before but never used them because how do you clean them after you use them to make salsas and different things how do you clean all those holes out.

[@3jane821]

With a brush.

[@dangracia4611]

I've seen the salt added with the rice before but I've never seen the salt and garlic ground to a paste together like you did. Why did you add the garlic to it?

[@SaltyCocina]

I use it to season the molcajete.

[@3jane821]

Garlic has allicin, which is antibacterial and antiviral.

[@sasadevannanyc]

​@SaltyCocina Will the food taste like garlic after the process? I am allergic to garlic. Thanks

[@JBLEON-fe1qs]

😍

[@marcietorres2807]

What was the name of the store you bought the rooster molcetcajte ? My husband surprised me with a trip to buy one but my grandma wanted it so my husband gave it to her and now I want another. Hehe

[@SaltyCocina]

I purchased them at my local swap meet.

[@franklugo6928]

Also known as the local flea market. Depending on which part of the country you live, farmers markets sell them as well, but good luck in finding one as awesome as hers.

[@tommiller9743]

Why use soap? Doesn't the soap get absorbed into the stone?

[@buoazej]

Its smell will quickly go away, it's just this one time the Lady used it to make sure it's sterile.

[@tommiller9743]

@buoazej after the first use, then what? It becomes unsterile again. I would never use soap on any food surface that is capable of absorbing the soap.

[@buoazej]

⁠@@tommiller9743AFAIK, natural stone has anti microbial properties, apparently all it takes for it to be sterile is properly scrubbing off the leftovers of the food with some water. You’re right about not using washing up liquid, it does affect the structure of the stone if used regularly, from what i’ve heard. Maybe this lady wanted to remove potential chemicals left over by the manufacturer this way. On the daily basis I use only water and scrub on my granite mortar and it works, while the initial sterilisation and curing was done additionally with a solution of soda ash and additive-free salt. Apparently American Natives used lye or even natural soap for curing and seasoning, although I’m not sure about that.

[@buoazej]

@@tommiller9743 Apparently natural stone has anti-microbial properties due to to its own nature. Soap might have been used by the Lady here in order to get rid of toxic chemicals potentially left over by the manufacturer (minor amounts of paint, coating, mineral oils from machinery etc.). All it takes for it to be sterile is to scrub it when wet, apparently, and keeping its inside away from dust and humidity. I've heard (unconfirmed) about some American Natives using potash or lye solution to get rid of potential oily leftovers and even using natural soap (plant oil + lye, like a scent-free Aleppo or Castile type soap bar, definitely not washing up liquid) for curing it. Personally, I'm positive that salt+soda ash solution + scrub + additional rinsing and scrubbing is enough to season or cure my granite mortar and pestle, it's perfectly safe to be used on every stone, unlike vinegar or acidic substances. Scrub and water seems enough though.

[@gerRule]

What does it mean if the rice never makes down? Very strange

[@barbaraherrera3984]

❤️ your Turkey 🦃 molcajete -where did you find it? Was it expensive? Question 🙋‍♀️- after you make salsas: do you wash with soap and water or No ?

[@slayerpianoman]

No! Soap enters the pours and can cause a permanent soap flavor in your food

[@soniamendoza7497]

How to clean it

[@mariapineda5743]

I have always wanted a molcajete like yours. I was wondering where you got it from?

[@franklugo6928]

My wife would love to have one like that, but you just have to do like we do... Go to swap meets, flea markets, Mexican meat markets, garage sales, etc. They will either be everywhere at once, or nowhere to be found. Good luck and happy hunting for that perfect piece!!! BTW, it took us 2 years to find her perfect enough one.

[@mamamel_90]

ive always been told to absolutely not use soap to clean it as it can make your foods taste like soap!

[@stephany3434]

Why garlic? Thanks!

[@3jane821]

Because it has antiviral and antibacterial properties.

[@laurenhaehae42]

💛💛💛

[@juliegarcia5415]

❤️❤️❤️

[@beaamaro2653]

❤️👍

[@sebistylzsmokes]

I thought you were NEVER supposed to use soap as it can get in the pores and change the flavors

[@amoses2134]

💗

[@tirsamartinez6961]

Where did you buy the molcajete??

[@franklugo6928]

She probably got lucky and found it at a local flea market.

[@tngrandma_13]

👏 👏 👏 👏

[@carmelabaeza8905]

💛💛💛💛

[@patriciaberardi1245]

I thought you were not supposed to add any kind of soap? 🤔

[@SaltyCocina]

I only use it when curing it, after that its just water and scrub

[@user-wh5mk2ew8m]

I thought dish soap was a no no?

[@SaltyCocina]

I only use a very small amount the very first time I cure it. After its just water and a good brush.

[@litahsr.8226]

😂🤣 3:05 thats some hard work I need a wife

[@Ucceah]

you can cheat a bit, but blasting the inside with a pressure washer for a minute or two, after 1-2 rounds of grinding. it will flush out any dust and stone debris from the pores. molcajete are near impossible to find in germany (and i dont want to impost one, just to have tw stone mortars i dont use all that much), so i make do with a 16 pound thai style granite mortar, i bought locally ~20 years ago. it's deeper, smother and harder, and better for pouding and crushing, than grinding and musing soft ingrdients. but is does a splendid job, and i can pass it on through generations to come. (i'm gay and wont have kids, so i'm gonnne give it to my brotyher and his wife some day)

[@Tigerist]

[@Atomicatom80]

NO! SOAP WILL CHANGE THE FLAVOR OF THE FOOD! JUST USE WATER AND RINSE. YOU RUINED YOUR PESTLE AND MORTAR BY DOING THAT

[@SaltyCocina]

I only use it when I first buy and cure it. A drop will not affect the flavor. I own 7 molcajetes and they have all been cleaned the same way

[@Atomicatom80]

@@SaltyCocina hate to tell you this but you ruined every single one

[@AnSquatcho]

$800 for a molcajete

[@SaltyCocina]

I paid under $100, look for Casa Grande. Artesanal on Facebook. They have the best prices and they ship!

[@ctaylor7089]

They sell them for $20 all day in San Luis Mexico

[@rosecityremodel2015]

❤

[@jessicamaldonado9488]

❤

[@alexlua6757]

❤

[@grizter]

❤

[@normacroberts-hakizimana8785]

❤️

[@annalara9427]

♥️

[@kikomartin-pr]

♥️