mérföldiko

Mérföldiko is a Hungarian term that translates to "millstone" in English. It refers to a large, heavy stone, typically circular and with a hole in the center, used for grinding grain into flour. These stones are historically significant and were a crucial tool in food preparation for centuries.

There are two main types of millstones: the runner stone (or upper stone) and the bed stone (or nether stone). The bed stone remains stationary, while the runner stone rotates above it. The grain is fed into the hole in the runner stone and is ground into flour as it passes between the two stones. The surfaces of the millstones are grooved or dressed with a pattern that helps to channel the grain and move the flour outwards. This dressing had to be periodically renewed to maintain the efficiency of the mill.

The operation of millstones requires significant power, traditionally provided by water wheels, windmills, or animal power. The speed and weight of the runner stone, along with the precision of its dressing, directly impacted the fineness and quality of the flour produced. While modern milling techniques have largely replaced millstones in industrial production, they are still used in some artisanal bakeries and for historical demonstrations, preserving a link to traditional food processing methods. The term "mérföldiko" therefore evokes a sense of history, labor, and the fundamental process of transforming grain into sustenance.