Spice mortars: what are they and how to choose them?

All kinds of kitchen accessories greatly facilitate the process of preparing your favorite dishes. In a modern kitchen, it is impossible to do without a high-quality and reliable spice mortar. Such products are made from a wide variety of materials. How to choose a mortar, we will tell you right now.

A quality spice mortar and pestle is sure to come in handy in any modern kitchen. Housewives sometimes cook several times a day and almost no dish is complete without spices. Many people use a mortar on a daily basis to grind peppers and other spices. Of course, you can buy ground pepper at your nearest store, but its aroma cannot be compared with freshly ground pepper. Therefore, those who are a true connoisseur of spices grind them on their own using a mortar.

Humanity has long been using mortars and pestles to prepare various powders. Previously, people made special powders that they used as natural body paints. Later, they began to use a similar inventory for the manufacture of various drugs. And then they began to use the mortar for preparing various pastes from nuts, chopping herbs and roots.

Today, almost all over the world use this kitchen accessory, which is a necessary attribute of any kitchen. Each country has its own characteristics and preferences regarding this product. For example, the Japanese prefer to use wood products, in other Asian countries they prefer granite mortars.

In India, various seasonings are prepared using a mortar, grinding the spices into powder. The people of Mexico use a mortar to cook rice, corn, or beans. Say what you like, but a mortar is needed by everyone who loves and knows how to cook.

Thanks to the mortar, you will be able to appreciate the true aroma and taste of all kinds of spices. True connoisseurs of spices assure that freshly ground spices help to reveal the natural taste of products, improve and enhance the quality of the finished dish. In addition, thanks to the reliable and convenient product, it will be easy to prepare hummus, various nut sauces, powdered sugar and even almond flour.

Today you can find a mortar made from a wide variety of materials. It could be porcelain, marble, wood, granite or stone mortar. Each product has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. To make the right choice and purchase a quality product, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the advantages of each material.

Kitchen accessories made of wood are in great demand. Our grandmothers also used natural wood mortars, and earlier such an accessory was in every kitchen. Today, various manufacturers produce not only high-quality, but also original, stylish wood products that can serve as decorations for the interior of the kitchen.

First of all, such products attract with their environmental friendliness, lightness and affordable price. Preference should be given to items that are made made of hardwood. Then the accessory will last longer. In addition, note that the most durable options are those in which the fibers are located across.

The main disadvantage of a wooden product is that such a mortar will absorb odors... If you used an accessory, for example, to grind peppers or garlic, then the aroma will be present in other spices as well. In addition, like any wood product, such a mortar is not resistant to moisture.

A cast iron pestle mortar is another popular and highly demanded option that is distinguished by its strength and durability. Great for grinding all kinds of herbs and spices. On the downside, these bowls can get rusty.

Ceramic kitchen accessory attracts many not only because of its aesthetic appearancebut also other advantages. Such a mortar is perfect does not absorb odors and easy to care for. A ceramic product can be safely used for aromatic spices, and for grinding nuts or making powdered sugar. As for the disadvantages, then such a product can be easily broken if handled carelessly.

This porcelain product is especially appreciated by lovers of natural coffee. In such a bowl, you can easily grind coffee beans and various spices. This accessory looks very attractive. Porcelain is resistant to moisture, polishes well and, if used properly, is durable. Using such a mortar, it is worth remembering that porcelain is still a fragile material and the product can be easily broken.

A stone product is considered to be one of the most practical, reliable and durable options. Such bowls for grinding spices attract with their beauty and versatility. Often used to make this kitchen accessory granite, onyx or carnelian.

The inside of the products is perfectly flat, thanks to which it will be possible to grind any spices very efficiently. Stone mortars are absolutely not afraid of moisture and do not absorb odors.

A reliable, durable and practical mortar made of marble has also proven itself only on the positive side. The product is strong and durable. Pink, gray, white or black marble is used as a material for the manufacture of such a product.

The product is excellent fits not only for spices or herbs, but also for nuts. The accessory does not absorb odors at all.

A metal product, for example, made of stainless steel, attracts many by the fact that the surface of the accessory does not absorb moisture, fats and odors at all. Such a product can withstand temperature changes, is durable and practical. In metal models, it is easy and convenient to grind even hard nuts.

There are also brass mortars on sale, but they are more capricious in terms of care.

There are models of various shapes on sale. Before making the final choice, you should decide for what purpose you plan to use the product. You will simply grind some ingredients, while others will need impact force. That is, you will have to grind the product using the breaking method.

If you need a bowl exclusively for grinding herbs, spices, then it is better to give preference to a product with a flat or semicircular bottom. The base of such bowls, as a rule, is cylindrical in shape.

To grind hard seeds or nuts, you will need to apply force and active striking movements. A tall and narrow mortar is best suited for this process.

Of course, everyone wants to choose for themselves the option that will best show itself during operation. First you need to pay attention to material strength. The sides of the bowl should be thick and hard to withstand even heavy blows from the pestle with ease. In addition, the ductility of the material is very important. Impacts and friction should not deform the inside of the bowl, otherwise such a product will not last long.

It is very important that the material from which the mortar is made is did not chemically react with any ingredients. In addition, the bowl should be stable and should not slide on the table.

When choosing a mortar, remember that ceramic products, despite their fragility, allow you to grind seasonings very finely and efficiently. Wooden bowls are stronger, but they absorb odors and are not suitable for making sauces with lemon or garlic. Natural stone mortars occupy a leading position, but on condition that you choose products of really high quality.

The pestle should fit easily and comfortably in your hand. You should not choose options with a short handle, otherwise you will be uncomfortable in the process. The tip of the product should be rounded.

If you use the chosen model, observing all the rules, then it will undoubtedly last a long time. Before you start preparing the spice mixture, you should carefully prepare the bowl. It must be cleaned of dust, following all the manufacturer's recommendations.

Many people complain that the first grinding of spices is not uniform and they have to grind everything again. To avoid this problem, it is worth remembering a simple rule - do not fill the bowl by more than one third... This rule will help you easily achieve the desired result and grind all the ingredients into a powder of uniform consistency.

Be sure to hold the bowl with one hand while rubbing so that it does not slide on the table. Small seeds can be crushed by grinding, and larger ones should first be broken into small particles with light impact movements. If you are preparing the spice mixture beforehand, store it in a clean, dry glass container with an airtight lid.

The bowl must be cleaned after each use. If you grind dry spices, then it is enough to clean the inside of the mortar with a dry and clean napkin. If it was spicy herbs or seeds that secrete juice, resin, then the cloth should be slightly moistened beforehand.

If the smell remains, ordinary rice will help correct the situation. A small amount of rice should be rubbed in a mortar, then clean it with a clean cloth and there will be no smell. Do not wash such kitchen accessories using chemical detergents.... Besides, do not use cooking utensils to grind medicines.

You can learn more about how to make a kitchen mortar and pestle for grinding spices and seasonings below.