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A Molinillo Chocolatero a stirring tool used in Mexico to froth up chocolate or coffee drinks, as well as Atole and Champurrado.

usually have several different rings carved on their business end, so that they all can help produce froth

Some translate it as a "whisk." As it doesn't have any tines though, as most English-speakers would expect a whisk to have, it's perhaps best to start describing it as a spinning top attached to a long handle. The "spinning top" part is ridged and / or serrated, either vertically or horizontally. Some more utilitarian ones might put you in mind of a wooden gear piece; some are more elaborately-carved, almost baroque in their design and styling. In any event, a Molinillo Chocolatero is used to achieve the same purpose that a whisk would, but in a smaller, more confined space (in a cup.)

You put the "whisk" part into the chocolate drink, and rub the handle back and forth between the palms of your hands, causing the business end in the drink to spin about. The spinning motion creates a froth. You need to continue for 2 to 3 minutes to produce enough froth.

Some Molinillo Chocolateros are part of a covered chocolate pot set, with the pot having a spout and handle for pouring, and a hole in the lid. You pass the Molinillo through the hole in the lid, put the lid on, and proceed to spin it. The hole helps to guide it.

In Oaxaca, Mexico, a pear-shaped open-top pot is used, whose narrow top prevents splattering.

Spinning the Molinillo is a fun activity for children, provided they don't end up wearing the chocolate drink (and perhaps even if they do, if it's not too hot.)

Substitutes
Electric hand mixer, blender, rotary egg beater, whisk.

History
Molinillo Chocolateros were invented by Spanish colonists sometime in the 1700s.

Literature & Lore
A Mexican children's rhyme is based on using a Molinillo to froth children. They'll rub their hands in the air while reciting it, pretending that they are using a Molinillo, and repeat it several times, each time faster.

Bate, bate, chocolate, Tu nariz de cacahuate. Uno, dos, tres, CHO! Uno, dos, tres, CO! Uno, dos, tres, LA! Uno, dos, tres, TE! Chocolate, chocolate! Bate, bate, chocolate! Bate, bate, bate, bate, Bate, bate, CHOCOLATE!

Stir, stir, chocolate, Your nose is a peanut. One, two, three, CHO! One, two, three, CO! One, two, three, LA! One, two, three, TE! Chocolate, chocolate! Stir, stir, chocolate! Stir, stir, stir, stir, Stir, stir, CHOCOLATE!

Also called:

See Also:

Mexican Chocolate

Other entries for:

Whisks
Chasen, Danish Bread Whisk, Molinillo Chocolatero

Other entries for: Cooking Tools

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