Even though a mortar and pestle is a food preparation device that was used by ancient cultures, it is still a favorite with many 21st century cooks. So whether you need to crush seeds and spices for your favorite condiments, like a hot Indian curry, blend herbs for tasty basil pesto, or whip up guacamole, a mortar and pestle is the right tool for the job.
The 8 Best Mortar and Pestles
- Bekith Mortar and Pestle Sets
- JAMIE OLIVER Mortar and Pestle
- ChefSofi Mortar and Pestle Set (Our Top Pick)
- Home Basics Marble Mortar and Pestle
- GoCraft Wooden Carved Mortar and Pestle
- Ironwood Gourmet Olmec Mortar and Pestle
- Cooler Kitchen EZ-Grip Silicone and Porcelain Mortar and Pestle
- Le Creuset Stoneware Mortar and Pestle Set
Our Top Pick for the Best Mortar and Pestle
Our top pick for the best mortar and pestle is the ChefSofi Mortar and Pestle Set. Spice up your cooking with this stunning mortar and pestle.
Featuring the natural beauty of solid granite and boasting a strong and sturdy construction, the ChefSofi mortar and pestle set will have you crushing, grinding, pulverizing all types of herbs, spices, and seeds to create fragrant and flavorsome dishes like a professional chef. The mortar and pestle come at an affordable price and look fantastic, so it will make a great gift idea for family and friends who love to cook.
Check the price on AmazonBring Some Old World Charm to Your Kitchen With the Best Mortar and Pestle
In a world that is heavily saturated with all sorts of high-tech electronic gadgetry, sometimes the simple things in life are often the best. A mortar and pestle is a simple tool that gives you a hands-on approach to creating natural, healthy ingredients like curry, pesto, guacamole, herb dressings, and nut butter.
You can even use a mortar and pestle set to crush peppercorns or crush pills into a powder which makes medicine easier to swallow.
If you would like to discover the many delights of using a mortar and pestle and turn your herbs and spices into fragrant and flavorsome dishes that will delight family and friends, here are a few things to consider.
How to Choose the Best Mortar and Pestle
1. Design
– The Mortar
The mortar is the bowl that contains the ingredients to be ground, pounded, crushed, blended, and muddled. The bowl features a special design, where its weight is evenly distributed throughout the middle section for stability and balance.
The interior surface of the mortar/bowl will also have a slightly rough texture which helps to improve the grinding, crushing, and pounding performance and makes the surface ideal for both wet and dry ingredients.
While most mortars have a round shape and a flat bottom, some mortars, like the Bekith Mortar and Pestle Sets, JAMIE OLIVER Mortar and Pestle, and the ChefSofi Mortar and Pestle Set, have a pedestal design, which allows to grasp it around the stem of the pedestal while sitting on the countertop or while holding it in your hand.
The Cooler Kitchen, GoCraft, and Ironwood Gourmet mortars have a flat bottom design which allows the mortar to rest on the countertop while you hold it. There is no perfect design, it just depends on your personal preference and what type of ingredients you will be working with, soft spices and herbs or hard nuts.
– The Pestle
The pestle is the tool that you use to grind, crush and pulverize the ingredients and it is also specially designed, with a gently rounded edge that increases its contact with the bowl’s surface, to improve its grinding performance and make sure that the maximum flavor and aroma is released from the herbs and spices.
The unique shape of the pestle also makes it the ideal tool for grinding the hardest of ingredients like seeds, nuts, and peppercorns. Pestles come in different shapes and sizes. They can be short and stubby, a more elongated slimline shape, like the Bekith pestle, or feature a carved design like the GoCraft pestle.
How you choose the pestle that is right for you will depend on the size of your hand. Some people prefer a shorter pestle, to be able to get better grinding action, while other chefs prefer a longer pestle that fits comfortably in their hand and can be easily shifted around the inside of the mortar.
2. Size
Mortar bowls range in size from small to medium. Some mortars are very small and fit into the palm of your hand, like the 3.25 x 6-inch Ironwood Gourmet Olmec Mortar and Pestle. Other brands range from 4.5-inches up to 6 or 7-inches.
Small-sized mortars, like the GoCraft, and Cooler Kitchen mortars, give you a good amount of space to grind up spices to make a paste or grind and crush seeds. Medium-sized models, like the Bekith, Jamie Oliver, and ChefSofi mortars, give you more room and a greater bowl depth to mix more ingredients like whipping up guacamole or crushing a lot of herbs.
3. Material
A mortar and pestle can be made from granite, marble, porcelain, apothecary-grade ceramic, stainless steel, or wood.
– Granite
Natural granite not only looks good, but it is solid, strong, and sturdy. The best type of granite is unpolished granite with a textured surface, like the JAMIE OLIVER Mortar and Pestle. The unpolished textured surface maximizes grinding efficiency, which is especially useful for working with hard seeds and nuts.
Another good aspect of granite is that it does not absorb the flavors of the spices so it is the perfect choice for preparing a hot curry. The downside of using granite is it usually needs to be seasoned before you use it.
– Marble
Like granite, marble is super strong and one of the most long-lasting materials on earth. A mortar and pestle that is made out of marble not only looks fantastic, but it offers you a lot of versatility, for grinding, pounding, crushing, and mixing a lot of different ingredients, wet and dry.
– Porcelain
Porcelain is a good choice as it is quite easy to keep clean and does not absorb odors or transfer flavors. The problem with porcelain is that it can break easily and small bits of mortar and pestle might come off and mix with your ingredients, so it may not be the best choice for grinding hard ingredients.
– Apothecary-grade Ceramic
Like porcelain, apothecary-grade ceramic is a very good choice. As well as looking elegant and stylish, with a smooth exterior and a slightly rough interior surface, like the Cooler Kitchen EZ-Grip Silicone and Porcelain Mortar and Pestle, you can grind all types of ingredients like spices, garlic, nuts, and especially wet ingredients like pesto.
However, it is not as solid as granite or marble and can break easily.
– Stainless Steel
A favorite material in many kitchens, stainless steel looks super stylish, is very strong, and easy to keep clean. A stainless steel mortar and pestle is a good choice for grinding and mixing herbs and spices and crushing pills.
The downside of stainless steel is that its interior surface may be too smooth or slippery to get any real traction, especially if you are grinding hard nuts and ingredients that can stick to the surface. Also, if you do not look after it, a stainless steel mortar and pestle can rust.
– Stoneware
High-fired stoneware is super strong and highly resistant to chipping and cracking. A stoneware mortar and pestle, like the Le Creuset Stoneware Mortar and Pestle Set, has an unglazed interior surface, so you will be able to get a good amount of traction, which makes it a great choice for grinding and pulverizing herbs and spices.
However, it may be harder to work with tougher ingredients like peppercorns or hard nuts.
– Wood
A wooden mortar and pestle will add a special touch of rustic charm to your kitchen. Mortar and pestles, like the GoCraft Wooden Carved Mortar and Pestle, which is carved out of rich brown rosewood, or the Ironwood Gourmet Olmec Mortar and Pestle which is made from exquisite acacia wood, are stunningly beautiful and will make excellent gifts.
Wood is more lightweight and easier to hold in your hand which makes it a good choice for mixing and blending and grinding small seeds or nuts. It might be too soft for grinding tougher nuts and the pestle can damage the wood. Also, a wooden mortar and pestle have to be maintained to keep it looking fabulous.
Out of all these materials, wood tends to retain the flavor of herbs and spices, so if you want to use a wooden mortar and pestle, consider buying more than one so that you can use one for spices and the other for mixing pesto or guacamole.
8 Best Mortar and Pestles – Reviews
1. Bekith Mortar and Pestle Sets
If you are a lover of stainless steel, why not add the Bekith Mortar and Pestle Sets to your kitchen appliance entourage?
The Bekith mortar and pestle measure 5 x 4.8 x 4.3-inches and not only does it look fantastic, but it is also strong and durable, which is a classic signature of stainless steel construction.
Bekith has made its mortar and pestle set even more durable as it is made from double heavy-gauge stainless steel that makes it highly resistant to cracks and breaks that other types of mortar and pestles can be susceptible to over time and it is BPA and lead-free.
As well as having a functional design that is low maintenance and eco-friendly and super attractive, the mortar and pestle allow you to crush and grind seeds and mix herbs and spices and will not leave any residual taste. The non-skid base keeps the bowl securely on the countertop and the pestle fits comfortably into your hand while you prepare pesto or curry.
The mortar and pestle have a smooth and non-porous, non-staining surface which is very easy to keep clean.
Pros
- Good quality
- Solid and sturdy
- Heavy-gauge brushed stainless steel
- BPA and lead-free
- Attractive silver finish
- Satin smooth internal surface
- Ideal for herbs and spices
- Non-skid base
- Non-porous surface does not leave any residual taste
- Non-staining
- Comfortable to hold
- Heavy-duty pestle
- Easy to keep clean
Cons
- Pestle is a little short
- Mortar is not very deep
- Not ideal for crushing hard nuts
2. JAMIE OLIVER Mortar and Pestle
Jamie Oliver is the man with the magic cooking hands and his endorsed cooking products are pretty top-notch as well. The beautiful rustic-looking 6-inches JAMIE OLIVER Mortar and Pestle is crafted from naturally sourced speckled grey granite and the unpolished granite inner surface is designed for maximized grinding efficiency for both dry and wet mixes, so you can quickly crush spices, herbs and so much more.
As well as being a highly effective mortar and pestle, the bowl is constructed with thick walls and base to form a generous 2-cup capacity that can hold a lot of ingredients.
The sturdy polished pestle with unpolished ends allows for a greater grinding performance so that you can release the full, true flavor of herbs and spices to enhance your cooking.
Before you use the mortar and pestle, it needs to be seasoned in just a few easy steps:
- Rinse with clean water (no soap) and let it air dry.
- Grind a small handful of white rice. Discard and repeat until the rice grinds white.
- Next add 4 cloves of garlic, mash, and muddle them together.
- Add some cumin, salt & pepper. Grind it all together and discard.
- Rinse once more (without soap) and allow to air dry.
To keep Jamie Oliver’s mortar and pestle in good condition, it should be washed in warm, soapy water. After washing rinse and dry thoroughly.
The mortar and pestle set is also available in polished granite.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- High-quality craftsmanship
- Attractive natural unpolished speckled grey solid granite
- Thick wall construction
- Unpolished interior for better grinding
- Generous 2-cup capacity
- Can be used for both dry and wet mixes
- Ideal for crushing, grinding, and muddling herbs, spices, seeds, and nuts
- Sturdy polished pestle with unpolished ends
- Releases the full, true flavor of herbs and spices
- Very good size
Cons
- Needs to be seasoned before use
- Hand washing only
3. ChefSofi Mortar and Pestle Set
Whether you are a beginner culinary at-home cook or advanced chef, the ChefSofi Mortar and Pestle Set is a must-have food preparation tool for creating delicious hot curries, pestos or sauces, salsa, and guacamole.
This beautiful mortar and pestle set is made out of solid 100% black granite and has a polished exterior. The tough granite construction is due to its interlocking crystal structure, which makes it one of the hardest rock materials, so the ChefSofi mortar has a high level of durability.
Its abrasive unpolished inner surface is just right for grinding both hard and soft ingredients and does not absorb flavors or odors.
The sturdy pestle makes it quick and easy to crush the freshest of herbs to create the most fragrant of spices; the toughest of seeds to create the most aromatic of curry pastes; and even crush pills.
As well as looking fantastic in your kitchen, it will also make a great gift idea for other family members or friends who are cooking enthusiasts.
Like a lot of cookware items that are made from granite, the ChefSofi mortar and pestle set has to be seasoned so that the items will continue to perform over the long-term. Simply wash the mortar with warm water.
Grind a handful of rice into powder, discard the rice, and repeat. Then add garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper, grind together, discard, and wash. For everyday care, wash the mortar and pestle with warm water and leave to air-dry.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Stunningly beautiful design
- Made out of solid and durable 100% black granite
- Polished exterior
- Abrasive interior is just right for grinding and crushing herbs and spices
- Sturdy pestle
- Can be used for wet and dry ingredients
- Ideal for making pastes, pestos, guacamole, salsa, and dressings
- Specially designed for crushing tough seeds, nuts, and pills
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Heavy
- Needs to be seasoned before first use
- Not dishwasher safe
4. Home Basics Marble Mortar and Pestle
For a special touch of elegance to your kitchen, the 4-inches Home Basics Marble Mortar and Pestle will have you pulverizing and mixing your favorite herbs and spices in style. The mortar and pestle unit is crafted out of natural heavy-duty solid black marble and it will make a stunning showpiece at your dining table to delight friends and family.
It will also make an excellent housewarming gift.
Whatever type of dish you need to create, the Home Basics mortar and pestle will have you grinding and blending herbs and spices, from garlic to pesto to creamy guacamole, and hard nuts quickly. The unpolished marble interior surface is ideal for optimal mashing and crushing and will release the full flavor and aroma to create mouth-watering dishes that will rival a professional chef.
The mortar measures 4 x 4.2 x 4-inches and its generous opening is big enough to allow you to work comfortably while the pedestal-style design allows you to maintain a good grip when using the mortar to prepare your herbs and spices. To clean it, you can use a damp cloth or wash it with soap and warm water.
The Home Basics mortar and pestle is available in white marble which is just as beautiful and unique as the black mortar and pestle.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Very good price
- Made from natural solid black marble
- Solid and sturdy pedestal design
- Good surface area
- Ideal for hard and soft ingredients
- Unpolished surface releases the full flavor and aroma of herbs and spices
- Strong pestle
- Easy to clean
- Available in white marble
Cons
- Not ideal for grinding or crushing a lot of ingredients
5. GoCraft Wooden Carved Mortar and Pestle
If herbaceous dishes or Indian food feature on your weekly menu, the GoCraft Wooden Carved Mortar and Pestle will unlock the taste and flavors of fragrant herbs and aromatic spices. Rustically beautiful, the GoCraft mortar and pestle set is made from rich brown mango wood, and the intricate floral design has been hand-crafted by skillful artisans.
The functional grinder bowl not only can be used for grinding and crushing all sorts of herbs, spices, and seeds, but its attractive appearance will look amazing at the dinner table and it will make the ideal gift for family and friends too.
Its round ergonomic shape feels comfortable in your hand and the pestle’s knob has a round shape that helps you to expertly grind and mince garlic or ginger, or whatever type of spice you would like to add to your food.
As the mortar and pestle set is made from food-grade seasoned hardwood, it is safe to use for any edible substance and can even be used to crush pills. Mango wood is highly durable and the sturdy base gives the mortar good stability on the kitchen countertop, and the wide opening allows for easy condiment preparation. GoCraft also includes a bonus spoon.
Each of the GoCraft mortar and pestle bowls has been individually crafted so their design and color may differ slightly from the advertised picture.
To maintain this elegantly decorative bowl, just wipe it out with a damp cloth.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Good price
- Beautiful hand-carved floral design
- Made from rich brown mango wood
- Food-grade seasoned hardwood
- Ideal for grinding and crushing herbs and spices
- Can be used to crush pills
- Mango wood unlocks the flavors of fragrant herbs and aromatic spices
- Traditional bowl grinder has a round ergonomic shape
- Pestle feels comfortable to hold
- Sturdy base
- Wide opening
- Easy to use
Cons
- Washing with soap and water can damage the wood
- Small surface area
- Not ideal for crushing tough ingredients like hard nuts and large pills
- Tends to retain the flavor of herbs and spices
- Designs and colors may vary
6. Ironwood Gourmet Olmec Mortar and Pestle
If you grow your own herbs and spices, why not consider using the Ironwood Gourmet Olmec Mortar and Pestle to prepare them? The cute 3.25 x 6-inches mortar and pestle will introduce some country rustic feel to your kitchen while you prepare your ingredients.
Featuring a pre-Columbian design and made out of gorgeous natural acacia hardwood that is well known for its unique, contrasting colors and decorative patterns, and a carved pestle, the Ironwood Mortar and Pestle Set looks amazing.
Whether you need to grind or crush herbs, nuts, and spices into powders and pastes, the Ironwood mortar and pestle will release their full flavor and fragrance to enhance your cooking and the carved pestle is strong enough for crushing seeds.
A highly versatile mortar, you can also use the mortar as a condiment cup to set before your delighted guests at the dining table.
To keep the mortar and pestle in optimal condition, Ironwood Gourmet recommends that you wash it with warm, soapy water and thoroughly rinse with clean water. Do not soak. To dry, prop it up on the counter to allow all surfaces to air dry evenly, and it should never be washed in the dishwasher.
After drying, rejuvenate and protect the wood by rubbing it down with Ironwood Butcher Block Oil. Apply the oil liberally and allow it to soak in thoroughly before use. Regular application of Ironwood’s Butcher Block Oil (or food-safe mineral oil) will prevent cracking and preserve the rich natural colors of the wood.
If you take extra special care of your acacia wood mortar and pestle it will be long-lasting and even become an heirloom.
Pros
- Elegant mortar and pestle
- Ideal for grinding and crushing herbs and spices to powders or pastes
- Pre-Columbian design
- Gorgeous natural Acacia hardwood
- Mortar has unique contrasting decorative patterns and colors
- Attractive rustic appearance
- Beautifully carved pestle
- Strong pestle can crush seeds
- Can be used as a condiment cup
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Expensive
- Very small surface area
- Short handle
- Not ideal for grinding hard nuts
- Needs to be maintained to protect the wood grain finish
- Not dishwasher safe
7. Cooler Kitchen EZ-Grip Silicone and Porcelain Mortar and Pestle
This sleek and smart-looking white mortar and pestle from Cooler Kitchen features a modern twist on the traditional mortar and pestle.
Made from Apothecary-grade porcelain, the 4.5-inches ceramic mortar and pestle is a great choice for crushing the fibers of herbs, grinding grains, spices, nuts, seeds, teas, bread, biscuits (for making home-made breadcrumbs), and even crushing pills into powdered medication.
The reason why porcelain is a popular choice, not only with cooks but also pharmacists who use it to grind their medications, is because the ceramic surface is long-lasting, will not absorb any odors or transfer flavors, and is very easy to keep clean.
Cooler Kitchen’s special unglazed grinding surface also prevents flaking or powdering so you do not have to worry about your spices or herbs being tainted by the ceramic material. Porcelain is super strong so it really is the perfect material to use to grind anything. The mortar also has a new reinforced bottom to prevent any breakage, which adds to its durability.
One of the standout features of this quality mortar and pestle is the food-grade EZ-Grip black accents on the rim of the bowl and the EZ-grip pestle handle, so if you suffer from arthritis or a wrist injury, you will not have any trouble maintaining a firm, strong grip on the bowl and pestle.
The mortar has also been redesigned with a new non-slip detachable silicone base to keep it securely on the countertop while you grind and mix your spices.
The Cooler Kitchen is one of the easiest mortar and pestles to clean and it can go straight into the dishwasher and it is covered by a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Apothecary-grade white porcelain
- Sleek and modern design
- Versatile: Can be used for crushing and grinding all sorts of ingredients
- Ideal for crushing pills into powdered medication
- Strong and sturdy
- Unglazed grinding surface also prevents flaking or powdering
- New reinforced bottom
- Ceramic surface will not absorb any odors or transfer flavors
- Food-grade EZ-Grip black accent on the bowl and EZ-grip pestle
- Ideal for arthritis suffers or for those with wrist injuries
- Non-slip detachable silicone base
- Dishwasher safe
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not ideal for a lot of ingredients
8. Le Creuset Stoneware Mortar and Pestle Set
Le Creuset is famous for its cooking products that are not only stunningly beautiful but also highly functional and its elegant brightly colored mortar and pestle, like all of their cookware, is made of high-fired stoneware with a durable enamel exterior that resists chipping and cracking.
Preparing all sorts of ingredients for your culinary delights has never been so easy as the pretty Le Creuset stoneware mortar and pestle set with an unglazed interior which creates the perfect surface for efficient grinding and crushing of fragrant herbs and spices.
The pestle is extra-long and the elongated tip also has an unglazed surface that helps you to grind and pulverize all sorts of ingredients, wet and dry.
As Le Creuset design its stoneware cookware with an extra hard-wearing layer of enamel that resists damage from heat, freezing temperatures, and utensils, the mortar is freezer, microwave, broiler, and oven-safe (up to 500°F); and dishwasher safe. Le Creuset offers a 5-year warranty on all its stoneware products.
Pros
- High quality
- Unglazed interior surface
- Efficient grinding and crushing performance
- Pretty Cerise cherry red color
- Durable enamel exterior
- High-fired stoneware construction
- Extra-long elongated pestle
- Pestle has an unglazed surface
- Freezer, microwave, broiler safe
- Oven safe up to 500°F
- Dishwasher safe
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Can break if you drop it
- End of the pestle is small and does not cover much surface area
- Not ideal for grinding hard ingredients like peppercorns
Our Top Pick for the Best Mortar and Pestle
Our top pick for the best mortar and pestle is the ChefSofi Mortar and Pestle Set. Spice up your cooking with this stunning mortar and pestle.
Featuring the natural beauty of solid granite and boasting a strong and sturdy construction, the ChefSofi mortar and pestle set will have you crushing, grinding, pulverizing all types of herbs, spices, and seeds to create fragrant and flavorsome dishes like a professional chef. The mortar and pestle come at an affordable price and look fantastic, so it will make a great gift idea for family and friends who love to cook.
Check the price on Amazon
