Molinero

Molinero
 

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.

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

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

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.