The Best Mortar And Pestle Sets In 2022
VasiliyBudarin/Shutterstock By Allie Miller/Updated: Feb. 2, 2023 10:49 am EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. A mortar and pestle is a historic cooking tool. The Egyptians, Aztecs, Greeks, and ancient peoples all used something like it (via The Atlantic). Even though the tool has been around for thousands of years, the mortar and pestle have barely changed in all this time. It’s maintained the same form, for the most part, of one small bowl and one tiny club.
There are some common pharmacological uses, but the mortar and pestle is primarily a culinary appliance. Ingredients are placed inside a mortar (the bowl) and a pestle (the small club) is used to crush them, via Britannica. People use mortars and pestle sets to make recipes like pesto or guacamole. You can also use them to crush whole spices, thus increasing their flavor. Some think the tool is better than a spice grinder, as it’s a more gentle, controlled way to release spices’ oils, intensifying the taste. When choosing a mortar and pestle set to buy, be on the lookout for a few features. The first is size. A smaller one is key for grinding things like nuts and seeds, while a larger set could be used to make foods like hummus. The second is the country of origin. Places like Mexico, Japan, Thailand, and Italy all have their own version of the mortar and pestle. The third is the material. Mortar and pestle sets tend to be made with stone, wood, or ceramic. Different materials will impact a set’s functionality.
How we selected products
Matteo Zannoni/Shutterstock
To round up the best mortar and pestle sets available in 2022, we looked at a variety of factors. How positive were the reviews? What press has the device previously received? How popular is the item, overall? We asked these questions for each category.
Mortar and pestle sets were stacked against one another based on country of origin, material, size, and cost. For the materials categories in particular, some mortar and pestle sets were excluded. Those made of glass and metal were left off the list because mortars and pestles made of this material are thought to be less effective; glass ones are fragile and metal ones are too smooth to effectively grind ingredients. From the remaining materials highlighted, we took into account their effectiveness in achieving certain functions. According to The Washington Post, ceramic mortar and pestles are best for more gentle applications. In Thailand, these are used to softly mold the ingredients in papaya salad. Granite sets are the most widely functional. Wood mortar and pestle sets soak up flavors over time. Within each quality, we compared several products to find the best of the best. Read on to learn about the best mortar and pestle sets on the market in 2022.
The Best Mortar And Pestle Sets In 2022
VasiliyBudarin/Shutterstock
By Allie Miller/Updated: Feb. 2, 2023 10:49 am EST
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. A mortar and pestle is a historic cooking tool. The Egyptians, Aztecs, Greeks, and ancient peoples all used something like it (via The Atlantic). Even though the tool has been around for thousands of years, the mortar and pestle have barely changed in all this time. It’s maintained the same form, for the most part, of one small bowl and one tiny club.
There are some common pharmacological uses, but the mortar and pestle is primarily a culinary appliance. Ingredients are placed inside a mortar (the bowl) and a pestle (the small club) is used to crush them, via Britannica. People use mortars and pestle sets to make recipes like pesto or guacamole. You can also use them to crush whole spices, thus increasing their flavor. Some think the tool is better than a spice grinder, as it’s a more gentle, controlled way to release spices’ oils, intensifying the taste. When choosing a mortar and pestle set to buy, be on the lookout for a few features. The first is size. A smaller one is key for grinding things like nuts and seeds, while a larger set could be used to make foods like hummus. The second is the country of origin. Places like Mexico, Japan, Thailand, and Italy all have their own version of the mortar and pestle. The third is the material. Mortar and pestle sets tend to be made with stone, wood, or ceramic. Different materials will impact a set’s functionality.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
There are some common pharmacological uses, but the mortar and pestle is primarily a culinary appliance. Ingredients are placed inside a mortar (the bowl) and a pestle (the small club) is used to crush them, via Britannica. People use mortars and pestle sets to make recipes like pesto or guacamole. You can also use them to crush whole spices, thus increasing their flavor. Some think the tool is better than a spice grinder, as it’s a more gentle, controlled way to release spices’ oils, intensifying the taste.
When choosing a mortar and pestle set to buy, be on the lookout for a few features. The first is size. A smaller one is key for grinding things like nuts and seeds, while a larger set could be used to make foods like hummus. The second is the country of origin. Places like Mexico, Japan, Thailand, and Italy all have their own version of the mortar and pestle. The third is the material. Mortar and pestle sets tend to be made with stone, wood, or ceramic. Different materials will impact a set’s functionality.
How we selected products
Matteo Zannoni/Shutterstock
To round up the best mortar and pestle sets available in 2022, we looked at a variety of factors. How positive were the reviews? What press has the device previously received? How popular is the item, overall? We asked these questions for each category.
Mortar and pestle sets were stacked against one another based on country of origin, material, size, and cost. For the materials categories in particular, some mortar and pestle sets were excluded. Those made of glass and metal were left off the list because mortars and pestles made of this material are thought to be less effective; glass ones are fragile and metal ones are too smooth to effectively grind ingredients. From the remaining materials highlighted, we took into account their effectiveness in achieving certain functions. According to The Washington Post, ceramic mortar and pestles are best for more gentle applications. In Thailand, these are used to softly mold the ingredients in papaya salad. Granite sets are the most widely functional. Wood mortar and pestle sets soak up flavors over time. Within each quality, we compared several products to find the best of the best. Read on to learn about the best mortar and pestle sets on the market in 2022.
Mortar and pestle sets were stacked against one another based on country of origin, material, size, and cost. For the materials categories in particular, some mortar and pestle sets were excluded. Those made of glass and metal were left off the list because mortars and pestles made of this material are thought to be less effective; glass ones are fragile and metal ones are too smooth to effectively grind ingredients.
From the remaining materials highlighted, we took into account their effectiveness in achieving certain functions. According to The Washington Post, ceramic mortar and pestles are best for more gentle applications. In Thailand, these are used to softly mold the ingredients in papaya salad. Granite sets are the most widely functional. Wood mortar and pestle sets soak up flavors over time. Within each quality, we compared several products to find the best of the best. Read on to learn about the best mortar and pestle sets on the market in 2022.
Best overall mortar and pestle
ChefSofi
We think this set is a cut above the rest. It’s made of granite, one of the most useful materials for this kitchen tool. The stone’s practicality comes from its significant weight. A granite mortar and pestle is long-lasting and also helps to anchor the mortar down while you’re going at it with the pestle. Furthermore, according to the American College of Healthcare Sciences, granite’s surface can be rough. This makes the inside of the bowl coarser, which is better for breaking down ingredients. This is the case with ChefSofi’s set, as the mortar is made with unfinished granite for an extra scratchy surface.
Best budget mortar and pestle
HealthSmart
Additionally, this mortar and pestle is recognized by the press. Greatist listed it in their starter guide to French kitchen essentials, highlighting the tool’s ability to allow home chefs to replicate classic French recipes at home. Bustle said the HealthSmart set was a good gift for a friend who likes to cook. “Today” recommended this item as a good starter mortar and pestle, remarking that the tool will help to step up buyers’ cooking game.
Best splurge mortar and pestle
Bembo
Along with being a traditional product completely made in Italy, the Bembo set’s price is justified by utilizing authentic materials. The Italian white Carrera marble used for the mortar is a stone that’s been coveted for thousands of years, even used by artists like Michelangelo (via Wired). After being sourced from the Italian city of Carrera, the marble is handmade into a mortar in the Tuscany region. The beechwood pestle is hand-crafted in Italy, as well.
Best large mortar and pestle
Gorilla Grip
Best small mortar and pestle
Sagler
This small-yet-versatile tool comes highly recommended. Latin Post noted that Sagler’s mortar and pestle attractive and easy to clean. Architectural Digest’s offshoot website Clever called the product ideal for crushing salt, spices, garlic, and other tiny ingredients.
Best wood mortar and pestle
Naturally Med
This particular set is small to medium size (4.7 inches in diameter). It’s handmade and comes in the “rustic” style. This mortar and pestle is also lightweight, at just under one pound. Due to its extremely airy quality, you won’t have to worry about what will happen if you drop this mortar and pestle on your foot.
Best marble mortar and pestle
Laevo
The Laevo set is well-designed. The marble is unfinished, giving your mortar and pestle a little more grip. It has a capacity of over two cups, making it a solid medium set. With a mid-size marble mortar and pestle like Laevo’s, you can make recipes like Thai curry paste, taco seasoning, masala chai, and tapenade. If you’re looking to simply grind a few spices, you can also flip the Laevo mortar and pestle over — it’s reversible. The smaller, bottom side of the mortar is ideal for tinier tasks. It also comes with a placemat (this helps to protect your surfaces from possible scratching) and a wooden spice spoon (for scooping out spice portions).
Best ceramic mortar and pestle
LEETOYI
Best Molcajete (Mexican mortar and pestle)
Vasconia
PopSugar suggests that readers use Vasconia’s molcajete to make guacamole, one of the most popular Mexican mortar and pestle recipes. The set’s large, four-cup capacity makes it very useful for this purpose. Food & Wine also gave Vasconia’s product a shoutout, calling the item one of the best molcajetes on the market. For positives, the outlet called it affordable and versatile. For negatives, Food & Wine mentioned that the item is hand-wash only. Plus, it’s heavy. LifeSavvy also pointed out weight as a possible challenge for users. However, they liked the look and capacity of Vasconia’s Mexican mortar and pestle.
Best Suribachi and Surikogi (Japanese mortar and pestle)
Helen’s Asian Kitchen
Best Khrok Sak (Thai mortar and pestle)
M.V. Trading
The Thai-style mortar and pestle from M.V. Trading is a good option for this category. It is manufactured in Thailand and comes in a large size with an eight-inch diameter and three-cup capacity. It’s made of extremely strong granite — described as indestructible by M.V. Trading. It’s on the pricier side, but at least it’s authentic.
