Here is our list of the three best mortar and pestle brands in the market today. We decided to build this list as the quality of the mortar and pestle we use can significantly affect the flavor, aroma, and overall texture of our recipes. And the products we chose gave ideal results for the diverse set of tests we did for our shortlisted brands of the top 10 mortar and pestle sets this year.
So even though this particular list is shorter than previous ones, we managed to conduct a very successful test here by doing our usual procedures with our group of testers. And after our team managed to gather the feedback, results, and opinions of our colleagues, friends, fellow home cooks, and pro chefs, we ended up creating a list of the three mortar and pestle brands out of a list of fifteen.
As a friendly reminder, we aren’t siding with a certain brand of mortar and pestle. All of the mortar and pestle types we tested out – Whether or not they appeared on this list – Had their own set of advantages and disadvantages. We purchased these brands from online stores or found some in the supermarket or specialty shops. We are hoping that this list will also help you make the correct choice on which one to use. So here’s a brief summary of what we found out:
Mortar and Pestle Review Center
| Image | Mortar and Pestle | Rating |
|---|---|---|
 | #1 - ChefSofi Mortar And Pestle Set
| 98% |
 | #2 - HIC Mortar and Pestle Spice Herb Grinder
| 95% |
 | #3 - Tera 18/8 Stainless Steel Mortar and Pestle with Brush
| 94% |
If you want to learn why we really like each of our 3 best mortar and pestle selections today, then our comprehensive reviews below offer more detailed information about each product. And as soon as you’re satisfied, we urge you to hit the yellow button to get the best prices at Amazon today!
#1 – ChefSofi Mortar And Pestle Set
You can find plenty of amazing kitchen tools and appliances out on the market, but sometimes they can change the way that your food looks or tastes because of the motors and electricity involved. With ChefSofi’s mortar and pestle set, you can enjoy your food’s bold flavors each and every time you cook. You can create tons of amazing food using this set of kitchen tools. Feel free to make tasty Indian dishes by crushing spices, or Thai cuisine by smashing ingredients like peeled ginger – The options are endless.
[wps_tabs style=”standard” active=”1″ vertical=”no”][wps_tab title=’SPECIFICATIONS’ disabled=’no’ target=’self’ ] [wps_lists icon=”gears” icon_color=”#4285bf”]- Has a measurement of 6 x 6 x 6 inches
- Weighs over 7.04 lbs.
- Full measurement is over 6 inches. Can make over 2 cups of crushed food
- Crafted from heavy, unpolished granite
- Includes an eBook filled with Italian recipes and an anti-scratch protector
- The granite material makes it perfect for enhanced performance. It also adds to its fully organic look
- A highly versatile tool
- You won’t have to clean too much – This product makes zero messes
- Not much effort exerted here either, a very convenient tool to use
- You’ll get a full refund if you’re not happy with the results of your food
#2 – HIC Mortar and Pestle Spice Herb Grinder
This mortar and pestle set is excellent for grinding your food into a fine powder or paste for cooking. You can make delicious nut butter, dry rubs for barbecue, curry pastes for Asian dishes, pesto, or ground cinnamon for baking. You can also pulverize pills, and prepare holistic remedies for medicine if you’re into that sort of thing. This is the most helpful tool that you can place inside your kitchen, especially if you’re into fast food preparation without too much effort.
[wps_tabs style=”standard” active=”1″ vertical=”no”][wps_tab title=’SPECIFICATIONS’ disabled=’no’ target=’self’ ] [wps_lists icon=”gears” icon_color=”#4285bf”]
- Two sizes – 3.5 inches and 4.5 inches
- Made from the finest porcelain
- Mortar has a measurement of 3.5 x 1.75 inches, while pestle is over 4 inches
- Weighs eight ounces
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Beautiful white exterior complements any kitchen décor in your home or food business
- You can grind up fresh ingredients quickly into either powder or paste. Also works as a pill crusher
- Very easy to use as well
- Decent size, but a bit too small for some spices
#3 – Tera 18/8 Stainless Steel Mortar and Pestle with Brush
This mortar and pestle set will be able to handle all of your grinding necessities. It is made from stainless steel, it is rust-proof and resistant to corrosion brought about by acidic food and sauces such as vinegar. The mortar itself also has a padded bottom, which lets it sit on your counter without any movement while in use. And contrary to other mortar and pestles made from ceramics or clay, you won’t have to worry about material chipping off after a few heavy strikes.
[wps_tabs style=”standard” active=”1″ vertical=”no”][wps_tab title=’SPECIFICATIONS’ disabled=’no’ target=’self’ ] [wps_lists icon=”gears” icon_color=”#4285bf”]- Comes with a translucent lid
- Made from food-grade stainless steel
- Package includes one mortar, one pestle, the lid, and one brush
- Weighs 1.8 lbs.
- Measurement is 3.94 x 3.31 x 3.54 inches
- Stainless steel material ensures that the product is fully rust-proof
- Does not hold any leftover residue or odors after you use it
- Can grind food or pills to herbs and spices
- Stable and durable
- Easy to clean – Just rinse it under the tap and it’s ready for the next use
Mortar and Pestle Buyers’ Guide
For this list, we took a look at several different factors, including the material it’s made from, the pricing, and how fast it can produce pastes and powders. Some of our testers used these products to grind and crush food for cooking, while a rarer few used them for medicine and medicinal herbs. In the end, all three variants produced some really good results here, and all of us were happy and content with what we got.
What Makes A Mortar and Pestle Suitable For Your Exact Needs?
- Pestle should be large – Similar to how you won’t choose a plastic toy hammer to place nails into wood, you wouldn’t want to purchase a narrow pestle when your mortar is large. If you have a short pestle and the mortar is large, then you can end up banging your hand on the edge of the bowl. And if the pestle’s head isn’t wide enough, then you’ll only end up pushing the ingredients around instead of actually crushing them.
- Mortar should be made from stone – Although there are a couple of exceptions, a stone mortar is still the best material out there. Stones include granite and marble. Unlike ceramics or clay, stone mortars are not as brittle and won’t chip off easily. Wood mortars aren’t that effective.
- Interior of mortar should be unpolished – Do not purchase a mortar that has a smooth and glossy finish. This means that the mortar lacks the proper abrasive qualities which are important for properly grinding and shearing your food or medicine. Similar to how diamonds are often used to cut glass, a harder material is needed to grind or crush substances like spices easily.
- Rounded bowl shape – A rounded mortar makes it very easy for you to swirl the pestle around, grinding everything in its path. Meanwhile, a cylindrical bowl that has sharper corners found at the bottom will make food so much harder to grind. It’s also complicated for you to smash down the contents because of its shape.
- Know what you want to get out of your set – If you’re mostly using this for crushing herbs to make sauces and chutneys, then go purchase one that has a larger capacity and deeper well. This can adequately hold in the ingredients, and still, leave plenty of room for you to mix all of them together. Smaller models are ideal for grinding pills.
- Overall measurements are important – Try to find a mortar and pestle of the similar size to set onto your countertop. This will help you get a feel of the overall dimensions. A set constructed from granite will also be able to easily push out over 20 lbs., and for some people, this can be hard to handle.
Mortar And Pestle FAQs
How should you clean up your mortar and pestle?
Wash it using clean water, and allow it to air-dry. Do not add detergent or soap while cleaning it. In fact, it’s not necessary to wash your mortar and pestle with soap unless you want your food or medicine to have a weird soapy aftertaste. Let it completely dry after washing, as a wet mortar might gum up any dry ingredient.
What can you make using a mortar and pestle?
For starters – Just about anything! Mortar and pestles have been around for centuries, and are an important yet simple tool in many cultures. Do you want to create a simple sauce? How about marinades, pastes, spice mixes or curries? These all mix well together by hand, especially when you use a mortar and pestle.
Are granite-based mortar and pestles safe to use?
Yes. It might seem as if metal or steel-based mortar and pestles have the tendency to shed bits of metal while you’re using it. This is in contrast to one made from granite, whose chips are non-toxic. The same can be said for softer mortars, like the ones crafted from wood.
Why should I season a mortar and pestle?
In the case of mortars and pestles, ‘seasoning’ it means preparing it for long-term use up ahead. The reason why you have to season a mortar and pestle is to prepare the surface, especially if yours is made from granite. Sometimes the porous surface of granite can release bits of grit and stone into your food when you use it for the first time.