A molcajete is a stone tool, the traditional Mexican version of the mortar and pestle tool, used for grinding various food products. The molcajete was used by pre-hispanic Mesoamerican cultures including the Aztec and Maya, stretching back several thousand years, and likely evolved from the more primitive metate grinding slab. Traditionally carved out of a single block of porous basalt volcanic rock, molcajetes are typically round in shape and supported by three short legs.