Molinero

[Glen]

Today on a cooking program the chef was mixing a container of Mexican chocolate using a Oaxacan tool he called a molinero (although it sounded to me like mollinero) that he spun rapidly between his outstretched hands, simulating an electric blender. Did I hear right? The only definition that comes up online is for the mill operator himself, not the wooden utensil.

[poli]

I'm aware of this beautiful utensil. Caribbean people use this product for frothing coffee or hot chocolate. They call it molinillo. It's imported from Mexico, and I am not sure if the same word is used in Mexico

[Glen]

Right you are, poli, I just heard it wrong. Thanks!

[wrholt]

They are not uncommon in parts of Central America, too; I have a fully-painted one that I got at a tourist market in Granada, Nicaragua more than 35 years ago. i've never used it to mix/froth a drink, of course; I can't be sure what type of paint it is.