Aside from a blade, the oldest known kitchen tool still widely used today is the mortar and pestle, and they are unsurpassed at what they do.
Comprising just two elements, the mortar is a bowl and the pestle a blunt small club. These vary drastically in size, shape, and material, but they are usually made from some form of hard-wearing stone. So yes, they can be extremely heavy but that is a good thing.
Their sole purpose is to grind and pound ingredients together: wheat for flour, seeds into powder, or various items to create a paste. They are also widely used in the pharmaceutical and chemical worlds, even with all the technology at their disposal.
But doesn’t a food processor do this job? Or even a blender or grinder?
Yes and no. Admittedly these devices are infinitely faster, and do not require you to spend several minutes, if not hours, using your arm muscles. But comparing the two is like suggesting that manufactured teen pop and the band Queen are the same thing simply because they are both music.
With a mortar and pestle you have total control over the power and force exerted upon the ingredients. You are blending them together, causing friction that slowly heats up natural oils and creates more flavour. A machine merely obliterates whatever is put into it and cares nothing for nuance, nor will it spot the renegade seeds, pods, or husks that have escaped its attention. It is akin to knocking in a nail with a wrecking ball.
And they are excellent for preparing elements of some cocktails. Oh, now I have your attention?
But I don’t have one!
Firstly, shame on you. Secondly, other than buying one (and they can be quite cheap), you could use a rolling pin. I am sure you have crushed some biscuits for a cheesecake base by putting them in a zip-lock bag and hitting them with a pin, yes? Same sort of thing. But you would struggle to do this with nuts or seeds, or indeed anything that isn’t a biscuit.
Isn’t this just another device I will rarely use, like my bagel maker?
That depends on how often you cook, I suppose. Your bagel maker just makes bagels (why on earth did you buy that?!), your popcorn maker just makes popcorn, but a mortar and pestle does thousands of things, as long as they involve pounding, pulverising, and blending. Plus, for many (myself included), it is very therapeutic and adds a personal touch that pressing the ‘on’ button cannot replicate.
Which one should I buy? I would go for a stone one. These have a nice weight to them, are hard to damage, and can be cheaper than other materials (certainly compared with marble). Plus, there is something to be said for possessing a kitchen tool that is natural. Some stones are porous, meaning, much like a cast iron pan, they become seasoned over time and use, making them even better.
You could go for a small wishy-washy lightweight cheap version, but they look awful, feel awful, and won’t last very long. A mortar and pestle should outlive you. Choose one that feels comfortable in your hands, and one you can actually lift!, while being large enough for your needs. I would recommend something that could hold a pint or so (about half a litre), though you can certainly go bigger.
Now go pound like you have never pounded before.
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