The ancient Mayan kitchen was known for its vibrant and flavorful cuisine. While they did not have built-in steam ovens, they used a technique called 'pib' to cook their food. Pib was an underground oven made of stone or clay, and it was heated by burning wood or charcoal. The food, wrapped in banana leaves, would be placed inside the pib, and the heat from the fire would create steam within the oven, resulting in tender and flavorful dishes. This method was commonly used for cooking meats, vegetables, and tamales. The ancient Mayans believed that the steam helped infuse the food with the flavors of the banana leaves, making it a unique and delicious cooking technique. The kitchen was a central gathering place in Mayan culture, and the use of pib ovens added a distinct aroma and taste to their cuisine.
