Suribachi facts for kids
The suribachi (which means "grinding-bowl" in Japanese) and surikogi (meaning "grind-powder-wood") are special tools from Japan. They are like a mortar and pestle set, used in Japanese cooking to crush and grind different ingredients. A common use is to grind sesame seeds, turning them into a paste or powder.
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What Are Suribachi and Surikogi?
The suribachi is a pottery bowl. It's usually smooth and shiny on the outside because it's glazed. But the inside is different! It has a rough pattern called kushi-no-me. This rough surface helps to grind ingredients easily, much like a grater.
The surikogi is the pestle, which is the stick-like tool used for grinding. It's made from wood. Traditionally, a special wood from the sanshō tree (Japanese prickly ash) was used. This wood could even add a tiny bit of flavor to the food! Today, other types of wood are often used instead.
How to Use These Grinding Tools
Using a suribachi and surikogi is simple. First, you place the suribachi bowl on a surface that won't slip, like a rubber mat or a damp towel. This keeps the bowl steady while you grind. Then, you use the surikogi pestle to press and grind the ingredients against the rough inside of the suribachi.
These bowls come in different sizes, usually from about 10 centimeters (4 inches) to 30 centimeters (12 inches) across. While traditional ones are made of pottery, you might also find plastic versions today. However, the plastic ones don't last as long as the traditional pottery bowls.
A Look at Their History
The suribachi and surikogi first came to Japan from China around the year 1000 AD. When they first arrived, they weren't used for cooking food. Instead, they were used to prepare medicines. Over time, people realized how useful they were for grinding food ingredients, and they became a common tool in Japanese kitchens.
There's also a much larger Japanese mortar used for pounding rice, especially to make mochi (a type of rice cake). This big mortar is called an usu, and its giant pestle is known as a kine.
A Mountain Named Suribachi
Did you know that a famous mountain was named after this kitchen tool? Mount Suribachi is the highest mountain on Iwo Jima, an island in Japan. It got its name because its shape looks a bit like the suribachi grinding bowl!
