Mortar and pestle - essential attributes of any kitchen

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Despite all the variety of modern household appliances designed for use in the kitchen, a mortar and pestle are available in almost any home. And this is not only a tribute to the traditions of cooking, but also a banal necessity. Experienced housewives know that spices crushed in a mortar give any dish a richer taste and aroma. Foods that are ground just before cooking retain all of their nutrients.

Mortar and pestle can be made from many natural materials: wood, granite, marble. Some manufacturers use different metals for their products. So you've decided that you need a mortar and pestle in your kitchen. How to choose the most suitable for you? When solving the problem of acquiring a mortar and pestle, you first need to decide what exactly you will use them for. So, a wooden mortar is not the best choice if you plan to grind wet spices and spices in it, since the material from which it is made will absorb the substances that make up their composition. You should choose hardwood productswood made from a single piece. A film gradually forms on their surface, preventing the penetration of chemicals into the fibers of the material. In such a mortar, you can not only grind, but also intensively grind spices.

The most versatile are the mortar and pestle, made of marble or granite. These are what professional chefs prefer. Their main advantages are resistance to any mechanical stress, lack of reaction to acidic compounds and food colorings. In such a mortar, you can grind almost all dry foods, herbs, spices. It can also be used to make pasta or oil-based condiments.

Mortar and pestle made of natural stones (carnelian, granite, agate, chalcedony, onyx) are suitable for grinding the most aggressive spices. In this case, you cannot use the impact method of grinding, but you should only rub the spices.

Porcelain mortar with pestle does not absorb moisture and smell, easy to clean, resistant to acids. Their main disadvantage is the fragility of the material itself. When working with such a mortar, you can only grind the spices, and not crush them.

Metal products are considered almost eternal. The most resistant of them are cupronickel and brass. Stainless steel is moisture resistant and almost does not absorb odors. Cast iron mortars rust quickly, so only dry spices are ground in them. Bronze products deteriorate quickly from constant impact, so they are more suitable forrubbing spices.

In addition to the choice of material, you must carefully consider the shape of the mortar itself. So, for example, a low bowl is most suitable for grinding nuts and herbs. It should have a flat or slightly rounded bottom. When rubbing the products in this case, they turn into powder. Larger and bulkier spices are easier to grind in tall and slightly narrower mortars. In them, the product will not be reduced to the finest dust.

Small-sized mortars are great for making aromatic masks, nourishing mixtures for hair and nails.

Basic requirements for a quality product: high density and strength of the material, convenient shape, plasticity (the material does not collapse during deformation), chemical resistance.