I like kitchen gadgets, baking tools, and small appliances.  Sometimes I even use them! (lol). I especially love chocolate paraphernalia.

The molinillo (pronounced moh-lee-NEE-yoh) is the Mexican chocolate whisk.  It is a "stirrer,"  typically made of wood and used to froth warm drinks such as hot chocolate.

This tool was invented by the Spanish colonists in Mexico around the 1700's.  The first molinillos were made to fit into a container with the handle sticking out of the top.  Then the user would rapidly rotate the molinillo between his/her palms.  The twisting motion frothed the chocolate.

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