Historical Use
Soapstone has been a part of culinary traditions since before the metal age, notably used in Italy since the late Middle Ages and by Native Americans during the Archaic Period for making cookware and utensils.
Resurgence in India
Over the last century, there's been a renewed interest in soapstone in the Indian subcontinent. Local miners extract suitable boulders for cookware, a skill that is fading as traditional artisans decline in number due to the popularity of inorganic cooking materials.
Artisanal Craftsmanship
The process involves manually chiseling soapstone into manageable pieces, designing, and shaping them at the artisan's home based on the rock's natural size and utility needs.
Eco-friendly Revival
With the rising demand for healthy, eco-friendly, and natural cooking materials, soapstone cookware has become increasingly popular, offering a sustainable and healthful alternative to modern cookware, in line with current environmental and health trends.
Seasoning Process
To prepare soapstone for cooking, it undergoes a detailed seasoning process with cold-pressed castor oil and turmeric, followed by sun exposure for 12-15 days, then cleaned and filled with rice water for an additional 5 days.
prominent in Italy since the late Middle Ages
Soapstone, a notably soft rock, has a venerable history in culinary traditions, tracing its utility back to times before the widespread use of metals. This material was notably prominent in Italy since the late Middle Ages, marking a significant period in its use for cookware and storage vessels. Similarly, during the Archaic Period (8000-1000 BC), Native Americans utilized soapstone to create bowls, cooking slabs, and various utensils, highlighting its longstanding significance across cultures.
The resurgence of interest in soapstone, particularly in the Indian subcontinent, has been marked over the past century. Here, local miners skillfully extract soapstone boulders from quarries, a task requiring not only strength but also a discerning eye to identify the most suitable pieces for cookware. This craftsmanship, once a staple of numerous villages, has seen a decline due to the rise of inorganic cooking materials, leading many traditional artisans to seek alternative sources of income. Currently, only a few families persist in this trade, upholding the tradition amidst modern shifts.
The process of transforming raw soapstone into cookware is meticulous and labor-intensive. Artisans manually chisel the stone from larger boulders, subsequently breaking them down into manageable pieces. These fragments are transported to the artisan’s home, where each piece is thoughtfully designed and shaped according to the rock’s natural dimensions and the intended utility. Following the carving, the crucial step of seasoning the cookware begins, preparing it for cooking applications.
Seasoning soapstone involves a detailed procedure aimed at rendering the material fit for cooking. The process starts with a thorough cleaning to remove any debris or dust. Following this, a concoction of cold-pressed castor oil and turmeric is applied evenly over the cookware, initiating the seasoning. This application is repeated daily under direct sunlight for approximately 12-15 days, ensuring the cookware’s porosity is adequately sealed. Afterward, the cookware is cleansed to eliminate any residual odors or substances, and then filled with rice water to further condition the stone, requiring an additional 5 days in the sun.
In today’s health-conscious era, where there’s a growing emphasis on eco-friendly and naturally sourced cooking materials, soapstone cookware has witnessed a revival in popularity. Its natural properties, combined with traditional artisanal craftsmanship, offer a sustainable and healthful alternative to modern cooking implements, aligning with contemporary preferences for environmentally responsible and health-supportive culinary practices.