Cobek And Ulekan, The Most Important Indonesian Traditional Culinary Tools

In English, 'Cobek' and 'Ulekan' called a mortar and pestle. Mortar and pestle known in various names in Indonesia. In Sundanese, mortar better known as 'Coet' or 'cowét'; in the Javanese language usually called 'Cowek' or 'coek'. While a pestle in Sundanese called 'mutu', and in the Javanese language called 'muthu', 'uleg-uleg' or ‘ulegan'.

In Indonesia, the mortar and pestle is an important tool in the cooking household. For example, a mortar and pestle is an essential tool for smash and crushed herbs, and make special dishes, such as chili or chili paste grind, grind and mix the seasoning hodgepodge, and present smashed chicken or smashed ribs.

The shape and size of a mortar and pestle vary according to user needs. Small mortar (8-13 cm diameter) is usually for the presentation of sauce individually in the restaurant, while the medium-sized (15-20 cm diameter) for household use. While large mortar (30-40 cm diameter) and rather flat usually used by sellers hodgepodge or diner that serves chili sauce made in large quantities.

Mortar concavity level can vary, there is a deep bowl or mortar resembling, and some are flat. Pestle also has different shapes; the most common are long round invitation ways such as holding a pistol grip. But there is also a round-shaped pestle fit the hand grip to grind, some are cylindrical to grind. Mortar and pestle unique is commonly used to make herbal medicine.

Either mortar or pestle are usually made of hard materials, such as hardwood, stone, ceramic, or metal (brass or stainless steel). In Indonesia usually common materials used are natural stone, or andesitic stone (volcanic rock). Some areas in Indonesia are the center of mortar and pestle stone craftsmen, one of which is the area Muntilan, Magelang, Central Java, near the Temple of Borobudur.

Ceramic Mortar and pestle are also commonly used by pharmacists to pulverize and mix the ingredients of medicines in pharmaceutical activities.

Oldest mortar and pestle has been used by humans since over 35,000 years BC. This tool is one of the oldest tools used by humans since the Stone Age. Some archaeological findings indicate stone objects are used as a tool for mashing. For example, the stone artifact found in Greece from the period 3200 to 2800 BC, shows a tool for extracting or grind pigment dyes extracted from rocks.

Those are the information about the mortar and pestle. So, are you ready to cook? 

Then, let’s cook..!!