Mola salsa
In ancient Roman religion, mola salsa was a mixture of coarse-ground, toasted emmer flour and salt prepared by the Vestal Virgins and used in every official sacrifice. It was sprinkled on the forehead and between the horns of animal victims before they were sacrificed, as well as on the altar and in the sacred fire. It was a common offering to the household hearth.
Servius describes the substance as pius and castus. The mola salsa was so fundamental to sacrifice that "to put on the mola" came to mean "to sacrifice", hence English "". Its use was one of the numerous religious traditions ascribed to Numa Pompilius, the Sabine second king of Rome.
The College of Vestals would make mola salsa during the Vestalia, the chief festival of the hearth goddess Vesta celebrated June 7–15.
