Far beyond the anachronistic presence of pestle and mortar in contemporary kitchens lies the glorious potential for electric spice grinders to enter the equation.
Pre-ground spices and seasonings may offer unbeatable convenience, but any true home chef understands the power of crafting their very own herbaceous and perfectly spiced blends. There’s nothing quite like growing your very own chillis, watching them slowly turn from green to fiery red, harvesting them, drying them and grinding them down into a homemade fine blend which can be sprinkled atop any dish to help it pack a punch.
What are the benefits of freshly ground spice?
Aside from it being more fiscally savvy to buy fresh ingredients as opposed to pre-mixed blends, freshly ground spices have a more intense flavour and higher nutrient content than pre-ground options. This is because the herbs and spices better retain the essential oils and compounds that contribute to creating a complex flavour and great taste. You can enhance the flavour profile of your at-home blends by dry toasting your ingredients before grinding and get creative with crafting your very own original blended creations.
How do I choose a spice grinder?
What’s the difference between coffee grinders and spice grinders?
The short answer to this question is simply: not much. Both coffee grinders and spice grinders use a single central blade to chop ingredients into a fine powder, which is why so many of them are marketed to offer both services. However, coffee fanatics will likely prefer having an automatic burr grinder for premium taste, consistency and texture. Burr grinders offer more uniform coffee grounds, as well as the ability to adjust your grind size.
We’ve curated a selection of the best herb and spice grinders to help you become a well-seasoned chef below.
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CrushGrind
Perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing ceramic grinder we’ve ever come across, the CrushGrind features a handy silicone plug at the base to fill it with your favourite spices in an entirely mess-free manner.
The upside-down design also stops dust and debris from spilling onto your kitchen counter, making for a wonderfully contained and utilitarian device. What’s more, each and every vessel is crafted from sustainably sourced wood-based cellulose fibres, making it perfect for eco-conscious culinary enthusiasts.
Buy now £39.95, Amazon
Microplane Stainless Steel 2-in-1 Spice Mill, Black/Silver
Designed to grate, crush and store your favourite hard spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, tonka beans, long black pepper, peppercorns and other nuts, Microplane’s ultra-sharp spice grinder is a must-have – especially in the run-up to the festive season. It’s made using Microplane’s signature photo-etched stainless steel blades for superior grating and an irresistible aroma.
Buy now £27.95, John Lewis
Cuisinart Electric Spice & Nut Mill
For instant spice-grinding action, look no further than Cuisinart’s Electric Spice & Nut Mill, which effortlessly crushes and grinds the toughest of spices into an aromatic fine powder. Featuring one-touch control which is operated by pressing down on the lid for instant pulsation, you’ll get consistent results every time. It also comes with a handy storage lid to keep your grounds and blends fresh for longer.
Buy now £49.59, Amazon
Homtone Spice Grinder
A two-in-one dream, Homtone’s wet and dry spice grinder will have you cooking like a pro in no time at all. Designed for coffee and spices alike, you can pre-select a grind time of between five and 30 seconds to customise your grind from coarse to fine. It comes with two grinding cups: one which has two blades for coffee beans and other dry ingredients, and another which has four blades for wet ingredients.
Buy now £33.95, Amazon
Peugeot Tidore 11 cm Nutmeg Grinder
We too were initially surprised by the concept of a dedicated nutmeg grinder, but it turns out that the seed which creates the festive ground spice that we know and love is rather hard to crack. This dedicated nutmeg grinder by heritage brand Peugeot features a powerful claw and blade grater that is capable of grinding the seed into a fine powder. The top of the globe can house between seven and eight nutmegs ready for grinding.
Buy now £42.00, Amazon
Quest 34170 80g Electric Wet & Dry Food Grinder
Complete with heavy-duty and durable stainless-steel blades, the Quest wet and dry grinder is brilliantly compact – measuring just 20 x 12cm. It has an 80g capacity, a one-touch power system, anti-slip rubber feet to anchor the device and can be used to grind or grate everything from garlic and onions to peppers, seeds and spices.
Buy now £31.99, B&Q
Cookworks Coffee and Herb Grinder - Stainless Steel
Complete with a sturdy base and lock mechanism, this powerful grinder will produce powdered beans, herbs and spices faster than you can say blitz. Relatively quiet, easy to clean and effortlessly powerful, it’s a value-for-money addition to any kitchen.
Buy now £26.00, Argos
Skeppshult Cast Iron Pepper & Spice Grinder Bowl
Cast iron is renowned for its nearly indestructible nature, so it’s safe to say that a grinder made from the stuff is sure to last a lifetime. This highly intuitive manual device requires a simple push-and-twist motion until the herbs and spices inside have been ground to your desired consistency.
The inner section is partly hollow and comes with a walnut wood stopper for keeping your blends fresh and aromatic. Just remember: don’t use water to clean this sleek accessory, as you risk letting it rust. Instead, simply brush it clean.
Buy now £49.00, Sous Chef
