Written by Savannah Schell | Updated 3:55 PM, January 31, 2021

If you purchase a product through one of our links, BobVila.com and its partners may receive a commission.

For thousands of years, chefs have used mortars and pestles to prepare food. In cultures around the world, cooks put herbs, spices, nuts, fruits, and vegetables in a mortar, and then use a pestle to press, grind, or crush them.

Blenders and food processors may be champions of chopping and chopping, but using a mortar and pestle is a better way to extract the various flavors and aromas of food ingredients. Read on to learn more about how to choose the best mortar and pestle for your kitchen.

When buying the best mortar and pestle for your needs, keep these important factors in mind.

When kitchen storage space is at a premium, it is difficult to justify the purchase of disposable kitchen utensils. Fortunately, the mortar and pestle sets are available in a variety of sizes to meet many needs. Generally speaking, if you have enough space to store it, it is best to buy a larger mortar and pestle. The standard capacity of a medium mortar and pestle set is approximately 2 cups. The larger mortar that can hold 4 cups is ideal for making pesto or guacamole. The smaller 1 cup mortar is convenient for grinding spices or making spice purees.

Although the shape of the mortar and pestle are usually the same, it is best to choose a wider and relatively shallow mortar so that there is enough surface area for use. Ideally, the ingredients should be in a single layer. Deeper and narrower mortars may not allow this.

The shape of the pestle is also an important factor. The pestle should be long enough so that you can crush and grind comfortably without touching the edges of the mortar. The crushed end of the pestle should be wide enough to complete the work.

The mortar and pestle set are made of a variety of materials, and each type has its advantages and disadvantages.

Some mortar and pestle combinations have a smooth polished finish. This makes them easier to clean, but their surface is not enough to grind spices. Rougher surfaces tend to be porous, which means you can’t clean them with standard scented detergents because they will smell like cleaning products. If easy cleaning is the top priority, be sure to read the cleaning instructions before buying.

Now that you know more about the mortar and pestle, it's time to start shopping. These recommendations consider size, material, shape, and maintenance.

The ChefSofi mortar and pestle are large enough for most applications, but will not take up a lot of storage space. The unpolished surface of this 6-inch diameter mortar provides a suitable texture for finely ground spices. A 6.5 inch pestle will keep your knuckles away from the edge of the bowl. This 7-pound suit is sturdy but lightweight, and can be cleaned and operated relatively easily. Self-adhesive anti-scratch protection pads help protect your counter and hold the mortar in place during use.

EZ-Grip silicone and porcelain mortar and pestle stand out with its unique design. Non-traditional materials have become an important supplement to modern kitchens due to their light weight, beauty and ease of maintenance. It is completely dishwasher-safe, which makes it stand out from most competitors. The silicone handle and base ensure that the pestle is held comfortably in your hand, while the mortar remains on your work surface.

The non-porous surface means that drugs can be safely ground without worrying about cross-contamination. This material will not absorb any food or detergent odors. The only disadvantage is that the smooth surface is not suitable for fine grinding.

This small mortar can hold less than a cup of dry ingredients.

In a small kitchen, you may feel that you cannot use another kitchen tool to prove your worth, but this black marble mortar and pestle can easily be placed in a cabinet or drawer when not in use. This small mortar is 5.5 inches high and 4 inches in diameter including the edges. With an inner diameter of less than 3 inches, this set can be used to crush a few pills or a small amount of herbs or spices. The pestle is 5 inches long, and the total weight of the mortar and pestle is 3.05 pounds. The manufacturer recommends hand washing the mortar and pestle with a mild dish detergent.

Due to the nature of black marble, it is expected that the pattern of the product you receive will be different.

When you want to feed a crowd, the oversized mortar and pestle will come in handy. This ChefSofi model is 8 inches wide and can hold up to 5 cups. The set includes two pestles that are 6.5 inches and 8.5 inches long. A larger pestle can crush larger ingredients with its weight, while a smaller pestle is designed to grind spices. Unpolished granite provides a useful abrasive surface.

This extra-large mortar and pestle set weighs 17.86 pounds, so although it may be difficult to handle and clean, it will remain intact when you use it. It also includes a self-adhesive non-slip mat.

In Mexico, such tools are called molcajete (mortar) and tejolote (pestle). Although it is difficult to find authentic Mexican molcajete in the United States, this is the real deal. Traditionally, these tools are made of porous volcanic rock-this is the ideal surface for mashing avocados into guacamole.

This volcanic rock molcajete is 8.5 inches wide and 5 inches high. The tejolote is 4.5 inches long and has a 2.5-inch diameter at the ground end. Since the porous material can absorb fragrance, the kit should be cleaned with a brush, warm water, and odorless soap.

This mortar and pestle set from Gorilla Grip is affordable and high-quality, making it a great choice for most kitchens. Black polished granite provides a suitable surface for finely ground spices. A 7-inch diameter mortar can hold up to 4 cups of ingredients. The 7.4 inch long pestle ensures that you will not scrape your knuckles to the edge of the mortar while working. The package includes a self-adhesive foam bottom to help protect your countertop and hold the mortar in place.

This set should be seasoned before use and only hand-washed with water. The set is also available in 1.5 cup and 2 cup sizes.

This 100% marble mortar has broken surfaces on both sides. Use the lighter side for spices and the darker side for herbs and vegetables. Do not mix spices. Crush the ingredients with a 5.2-inch pestle and scoop out with the attached small wooden spoon.

This 6.6-pound, 5.6-inch diameter mortar and pestle has a capacity of 2.1 cups and should be easy to store in most kitchens. A non-slip mat is included to hold the suit in place and help protect your countertop while you are working.

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about mortar and pestle.

There are many materials for different purposes, but granite is the most versatile choice.

Granite mortar and pestle can be used safely as long as they are seasoned before use.

Although some sets are pre-seasoned, other sets require flavoring to remove dirt and grit that may be present during the manufacturing process.

Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide publishers with a way to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliate sites.

You agree that BobVila.com can process your data in the manner described in our privacy policy.

Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. all rights reserved.