A mortar and pestle device is one that is used to crush and prepare ingredients into a paste or powder. It is the most primitive kitchen tool and has been used since ancient times that date back to 35,000 BC. The mortar is a bowl that comes made in various material from hard wood, ceramic, granite and metal. The pestle is a heavy object that is held in the hand and pounded into the mortar in order to produce finely crushed ingredients.
Mortar and pestle has been used in a host of different purposes. Uses have includes medicine and food preparation. In medicine, mortar and pestles were used with different ingredients in order to mix them into a prescription. In food preparation, the uses can be unlimited.
These devices are great for grinding spices to fine powders, cracking peppercorns, grinding aromatic roots, crushing herbs and preparing foods like guacamole, pesto and hummus.
Hand grinding with a mortar and pestle set can bring out more finer and delicate flavors that aren’t as pronounced when using an electric grinder. These sets can usually outperform electric grinders due to their convenience, simple use and easy clean up.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best mortar and pestle sets, provide tips to help you pick one out and we’ll show you its usage.
Contents
- Why Buy A Mortar and Pestle?
- How We Rate
- Tips on Purchasing
- MATERIALS
- How to Use a Mortar and Pestle.
- Cole & Mason Granite Mortar and Pestle
- Jamie Oliver Mortar and Pestle
- VonShef Solid Granite Mortle And Pestle
- StainlessLUX Stainless Steel Mortar and Pestle
- KLAREN Mortar and Pestle
- EMILE HENRY CLAY
- IRONWOOD GOURMET ACACIA WOOD
- RSVP WHITE MARBLE
- Bekith Brushed
- FOX RUN GREEN MARBLE
- Conclusion
Why Buy A Mortar and Pestle?
Many may ask why buy a mortar and pestle when a food processor or an electric spice grinder could do the trick. Some might even deem it unnecessary. If you want your food to be the most flavorful version of itself, then you’ll want one of these in your kitchen.
A mortar and pestle set takes you to the cross of fine dining. By crushing spices and herbs, you’re crushing the cellular walls which releases their essential oils, aromatics and flavors. These sharp, distinctive flavors aren’t something you’re going to find with your food processor because chopping is going to be less effective. It can be frustrating using a food processor to grind herbs and powder to a usable measurement.
How We Rate
Material
The material used for a mortar and pestle is important and is a big factor in our ratings for these sets. The best material would be one that is hard, non-slippery and not too rough. The ideal surface would have good friction in order to grind ingredients and prevent foods from slipping around too much. Too rough of a surface and be more challenging to clean. Slippery, light materials aren’t ideal as they require the user to work harder to achieve their wanted results.
Shape
The best mortars will have a rounded shape. The shape is ideal when its deep and less shallow. This will help keep food in place and prevent these from splattering from the bowl. In terms of the pestle, the best pestle will have a more round, broader base.
Size
The bigger the better! When it comes to size, you don’t want to limit yourself. The capacity of the bowls make a big difference because a larger capacity bowl can handle both big and small jobs whereas smaller capacity can handle just that job.
Tips on Purchasing
When you’re looking for the ideal mortar and pestle set, start by knowing what you’re looking to get out of it. Are you looking for a set that’s easy to clean? If so, you would want a set that has surface that’s not too rough. Rough surfaces can make food stick. A surface with a matte finish is ideal because it creates enough friction to keep ingredients in place.
Are you looking to make pastes or foods like guacamole? Are you looking to make these for a large family? If so, you would want to purchase a set that has the capacity to adequately accommodate the ingredients. Maybe, you’re only looking to use your set to crush up your meds, then a smaller set would be all you need.
Mortar and pestle sets that have some weight to them remain stationary and can handle the applied pressure of the pestle. Too heavy of a set can be difficult to move and store. It’s also best to look for sets that are wide and have a larger depth. This is best in order to keep ingredients contained within the bowl.
Lastly, look for a mortar that has felt at the bottom. This will assist in gliding it across the counter top. If you find a set that doesn’t have one, or the information is not readily available, you can glue one on yourself.
MATERIALS
Stone
Stone materials are going to be ideal for mortar and pestle sets. Sets that contain this material will be more sturby and have the ability to withstand the pressure of pounding and grinding. The stone can also be finished to a matte and pebble surface which is ideal for needed friction as well as easier cleanup.
When cleaning, do not use soap. Similar to cleaning cast iron, stone is semi-porous and can carry the soap within its pockets that will later seep out into your food. Trust us, you don’t want that!
These nifty devices can simply be cleaned with warm water. They can also be cleaned with a lemon if you have any concerns about bacteria. After rinsing, rub the lemon all over and let sit for a couple of minutes. Towel dry when done. To remove stains, treat with either lemon or vinegar, while being sure you don’t let the acid soak too long.
WOOD
Wood offers a modern touch to this ancient device. This material is often too light for this device. When used as a material, the device is not stable and less effective for extensive pounding and grinding. Wood is susceptible to stains. It’s also possible for the flavors from spices to carry over between uses. If you plan to do light grinding and prefer a wood finish than this material would fit your needs. When cleaning wood, soapy water can be used. Rinse with warm water and towel dry.
Clay and Porcelain
These materials can be too fragile to withstand the constant grinding and pounding of a mortar set. These are also often times found to be lightweight which is another factor that could keep them less sturdy and more prone to breakage. Due to clay’s porous nature, this material would have to be cleaned the same way as stone.
For all materials, they can accumulate stains and smells. To help remove these, use white rice and grind the rice using the pestle. The rice will like turn colors and take on the smell of the previous spice. Dump the rice and repeat the process until the stain has been removed.
How to Use a Mortar and Pestle.
- Start by reading the recipe. If the recipe calls for a powder or paste then this is going to be the perfect tool. Some of the following items are great to grind: peppercorns, nuts, rice, seat salt, herbs, spice seeds, garlic, spice leaves and a host of other ingredients. This set is not going to be ideal for ingredients that need to be chopped, blender or pureed. A food processor would be better equipped for those jobs.
- Place ingredients inside the mortar. Measure the ingredients you want to use and place them into the mortar. You will only want to fill the bowl up 1/3 of the way. Anything more, then you won’t get an even grind. If you have larger portions, then separate them into batches.
- Use pestle until desired results are achieved. With one hand, hold the mortar in place while holding the pestle in the other hand. An easy start is taking the pestle and twisting it against the ingredients within the mortar. The ingredients can also be pounded and crushed. This process will be continued until the spices are grounded finely or until desired results.
- Store or use the ingredients. When you have receive the consistency that you’re looking for, you can either store or use the ingredient. You can store ingredients in a glass spice jar with a tight lid.
Grinding
This technique is going to be ideal for most spices used for baked dishes and sauces. You can grind spices to various consistencies ranging from fine, medium and coarse.
Here are the steps:
- Place all ingredients in your mortar and hold the mortar in place with your free hand
- Place the pestle in your opposite hand and create a firm yet comfortable grip
- Press down on the pestle by applying some pressure and roll it around the inside of the mortar.
- Continue grinding until ideal consistency is received.
Pounding
This technique is ideal for large seeds and spices. Some items may resist the grinding technique or may simply be too large, that’s why you want to try pounding or bashing.
Here are the steps:
- Start by grinding first, this will crush some ingredients while making pounding easier for the rest.
- Then you want to pound! This is the fun part. Take the pestle and bring it down into the mortar. Create short and sharp pounds.
- To avoid food escaping the bowl, place your hand over the top opposite side of the bowl.
- If consistency isn’t exactly how you want it, then grind again and repeat the pounding.
Crushing
Some recipes may call for crushed spices, meaning that the spices should be completely thrashed. You would want to keep part of the spice intact. Crushing is ideal for garlic.
Here are the steps:
- Place all ingredients in the mortar
- Take the broad end of the pestle and roll it around the mortar until the spices crush some.
- Continue this process until all ingredients are crushed.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Cole and Mason, a company based out of England has been providing seasoning equipment since 1919. It prides itself in providing care and quality in its products and you will find nothing short of it with this mortar and pestle set. If you looking for rock solid set, then you found it. This 7-inch set is made from solid black granite and will handle all of your grinding and crushing needs with ease. Its polished finish will stylishly compliment a modern kitchen décor.
The optimized pestle and surface contact helps maximize the flavor and aroma produced from the grinding and crushing of herbs and spices. The bowls weight is distributed in three sections that helps keep the bowl stable and steady, being capable of enduring heavy pounding.
The interior of this set has a coarse texture that helps create friction that’s necessary for grinding and making it great for wet and dry ingredients. The deep, rounded shape bowl keep ingredients in place while the long pestle helps assist with that process.
This sets weight may come as a surprise at 13.5 pounds. Heavy weight assures that the device will be sturdy. The mortar stands 7.5’’ high and measures the same across. The depth is 3.5” while the diameter is 5”.
Customers are raving about the performance of this product! Reviews show that it delivers on quality.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Taking the namesake of a celebrity chef, this mortar and pestle set is of great quality. The set is made from a solid granite construction and has thick walls and a base. The interior comes unpolished that helps grind herbs and spices better. The mortar has a 6 inch diameter and a 2 cup capacity. It stands 6”tall and the pestle is 8” tall. The entire set weighs 7 ½ pounds.
Similar to a cast iron skillet, this mortar requires seasoning. When using for the first time you’ll want to be sure to season by grinding a handful of white rice in it. Then you want to pound garlic, later adding cumin, salt and pepper to the mixture. Once this has been grounded, the set should be rinsed and air dried.
The set is to be hand washed and dried. It is a great tool for grinding and crushing spices and herbs. Based on reviews, customers who purchased this set overall all are very pleased with the friction, size and quality of this Jamie Oliver set.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
This Vonshef mortar and pestle set is rated as an Amazon’s choice. The set is made from 100% solid granite and will compliment any kitchen. Being made from the hardest rock, there’s no question whether it’s durable.
The dimensions of the mortar are 4” in height and a 5.5” diameter. The inner bowl has a 3” depth and weighs 6.5 pounds. With this size, this Vonshef set is going to be good for large and small jobs. Its also ideal for grinding both soft and hard ingredients.
This set must be seasoned by grinding white rice until all dust is removed.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Made from quality 18/8 stainless steel, this mortar and pestle set is durable, elegant and practical. It has a brushed finish that creates fiction to help grind food. It’s a great addition to any kitchen and is perfect for crushing, grinding and mixing spices and herbs.
The stainless steel is easier to clean, easier to care for than materials such as granite. The surface is smooth and non-porous, creating the ability to wash with soap and leaving no stains.
Both the mortar and pestle are bottom weighted. This is helpful in keeping the mortar stable. The set has a capacity of one cup and has a weight of less than a pound. The diameter is 4” and has a height of 2.38 inches. The pestle has a length of 7”.
Customers have used this set for various uses and have been over all pleased with the smoothness and non-stick feature of the set. Others have wished the set was a little deeper.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
If you’re looking for sleek then you have found it with this modern stainless steel mortar and pestle set. Its perfect for grinding and crushing fresh herbs and spices. This set is durable and can withstand tough grinding pressure.
The set has a non-skid base that will provide stable placement while using. It has a high quality double stainless steel construction. Its diameter is 4” and its height is 3.5”. The depth of the mortar is 2.5”.
You’ll feel secure in your purchase as this set comes with an 18-month warranty. Overall, customers are very satisfied with this product and this would be a great option to consider.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Made using high-quality natural ingredients, this clay set is guaranteed to impress. The set is hard glazed which makes it scratch resistant and durable. This clay set is ideal for lighter grinding jobs such as making pastes, pestos and marinades.
The pieces of this set offers versatile usages. They can be used in the oven, in the refrigerator and on the countertop. Its non-porous and easy to keep with soap and water. A great plus is that it comes with a 10-year guarantee against manufacturing defects.
The set diameter is 6” and has a 3.25” height. The pestle has a wooden handle for easier grinding. The interior of the bowl is unglazed to help create better fiction for mixing. The bowl is dishwasher safe and the pestle should be rinsed in warm water.
The exterior is offered in 4 different colors which include Juniper, Sand, Slate and Nougat.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
This set is made from beautiful acacia wood that’s known for it unique contrasting patterns. This mortar and pestle set is effective at crushing herbs and spices to fine powder. This beauty will be a great addition to any kitchen.
The mortar measures 3.25 X 6 inches in diameter while the interior is 4” wide and 2” deep. The pestle is 5.25” long and the set weighs approximately 1 pound.
You’ll find this set to be easy to maintain and clean. In order to clean, simply wash with soapy water and let air dry. To prevent the wood from cracking, season with cooking oil after every use.
Based on reviews, consumers are happy with the style and functionality of this device. Some felt that it was a tad bit too small.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
It doesn’t get much more beautiful than this stunning white marble mortar and pestle. This is made from solid marble and would be a great set to own. The bottom of the pestle and the inside of the bowl are left unpolished to create fiction and help with grinding. You’ll find grinding spices, herbs, and many other ingredients with ease.
Its diameter is 4 ½ inches and the height is 2 ½ inches tall. The pestle itself is 5 1/2 –inch long. The capacity is 6 ounces. The set can simply be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Consumers find this set to be appealing. The reviews agree that this set is indeed beautiful, and the heft helps make it sturdy. Some consumers wish the capacity was larger and found that there was dust left inside the bowl from the manufacturing process. This can be remedied by seasoning the set before its first use. The price is great and gives consumers a great bang for their buck.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Rated as an Amazon’s Choice product, this set is an Amazon and consumer favorite. This set is made of double stainless construction meaning that its durable and can withstand the pressure of constant grinding.
The set has a non-skid base that prevents the bowl from sliding during use. The pestle is heavy duty that allows easier grinding. This set is the perfect tool to grind, pound and crush ingredients.
This set is easy to clean and easy to maintain. Its non-porous which means that soap will not seep into this material. Therefore, no stains and residue will be left behind.
Based on consumer reviews, customers are pleased with the quality and excellent craftsmanship.
Quality
Price
Our Rating
Marble impresses each and every time. This set is made from green marble with color option of white and slate grey. This set gives variety in sizes coming in both 3 and 4 inches. The smaller set weighs approximately one pound while the larger one is about 3 pounds.
These sets offer a heavy base that helps provide stability when grinding. The interior of the bowl have a slight pebble that creates friction to help grind the herbs and spices.
Consumer reviews are positive and overall pleased with the elegance of this set. They find it to be durable and made with quality. Some felt the smaller mortar bowl was too small, however, that could be rectified with buying the bigger version.
Conclusion
When shopping for the best mortar, we recommend starting by thinking of what you want in a set. Are you looking for a set to compliment your kitchen décor? Are you looking for a durable set that will last you a couple of decades? Are you only going to be grinding lighter loads?
All of these questions play a factor into deciding which set is going to be best for your needs. Please review our outline for the ideal material and review all of the top mortar sets. We are confident that this article will help narrow down your choices. Happy Shopping!
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