The object you see in the photo is an old aluminum pressure cooker, also called a “cocotte-minute.”

The modern pressure cooker found its way into households at the beginning of the 20th century.

Pressure cooking is a process that heats water beyond 100°C by trapping pressure inside an airtight container. This allows food to cook faster while preserving maximum nutrients.

The model shown here, with its wooden handles and metal lid with a valve, probably dates from the 1940s to 1960s.

It was an essential item in every kitchen at the time. Its typical whistling sound signaled when it was time to turn off the heat.

People used it to cook stews, soups, tender meats, or homemade jams — a great way for families to save precious time.

This solid and efficient pressure cooker remains today a symbol of culinary innovation, a reminder of a time when every household item was made to last and be passed down from generation to generation.