Batán

A flat grinding stone paired with a smaller hand stone, functioning similarly to the Mexican metate but independently developed within Andean culinary tradition, historically used to grind chilies, herbs, and grains.

Material & Construction

Carved stone, typically set at a slight angle with a smooth grinding surface.

Traditional Uses

Grinding aji chilies and other ingredients into pastes; historically also used for processing grains such as quinoa and corn.

Modern Availability / Equivalents

Increasingly rare in daily urban use given the availability of blenders, though it remains present in traditional and rural Andean households and is sold as a heritage or specialty item.

Care & Maintenance

Similar care to the Mexican metate — clean without soap, and periodically re-roughen the grinding surface.

A structurally similar but independently developed Andean grinding tradition, not derived from the Mesoamerican metate y mano.