Laurel Wooden Mortar & Pestle

This Laurel Wooden Mortar & Pestle is hand-carved by Fernando in a small town named Liquine surrounded by the Andes Mountains, Volcanoes, and Lakes in the South of Chile. Fernando uses the traditional indigenous techniques of the Mapuche people to carve the stool. The type of wood used is named 'Laurel' in Spanish, which we know as Bay Leaf Tree. Wood Carving in the South of Chile is one of the most traditional manifestations of the indigenous Mapuche people, inherited from generation to generation, where they use native fallen wood from the forests.  We love using it to grind our spices for cooking and for tea. We often grind fresh Chai spices in it to make the perfect Chai tea latte with freshly ground cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, ginger, and fennel. Due to its handmade nature each Mortar & Pestle is unique. Occasionally apply a food-safe oil such as mineral oil or walnut oil. Apply a small amount of oil to a cloth and rub it into the wood in circular motions. Let