Pestle and mortars have been around since the Stone Age.
While they were once essential for medicinal purposes, nowadays are most commonly used for cooking - namely to crush down ingredients into fine powders and pastes.
Although some may consider them an old-fashioned method in comparison to something like a Nutribullet or blender, they are in fact great for producting finely chopped ingredients, and just so happen to be cheaper and easier to clean. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a well-stocked kitchen without one.
What is a pestle and mortar?
A pestle and mortar is a utensil used for mixing and grinding ingredients. The mortar is the round-shaped bowl and the pestle is the stick used to crush and pound things inside the mortar. The words are dervied from Latin - ‘pistillum’ meaning pounder and ‘mortarium’, a place for pounding.
What should you use a pestle and mortar for?
- Grinding herbs and spices
- Crushing garlic and nuts
- Creating marinades and sauces, e.g. pesto
What to look for when choosing your pestle and mortar?
Material: Cast iron and marble are common due to their strength and durability. A solid and heavy design will make it less likely to move around while using, keeping your mixing stable and sturdy.
Size: Choose the right size for your cooking requirements. The more ingredients you are using and the higher the quantities, the bigger the bowl will need to be to accommodate. Consider size also when it comes to where you will store it in your kitchen.
Design: Whether matt black, marble white or a colourful exterior, pestle and mortars come in a variety of materials, patterns and tones to pick from. Some also have extra features, from textured exteriors to rimmed bases. You get to decide which you like best and which will look displayed on your countertop.
Here we’ve rounded up the best pestle and mortars to help you browse the market…
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John Lewis Honed Grey Marble Pestle and Mortar
Prepare your ingredients – from crushing nuts and garlic, to grinding ginger and spices – in this high-quality pestle and mortar from John Lewis. Solid and sturdy, the product is long-lasting and durable, and embues a contemporary design which will look chic adorned on your kitchen counter.
Buy now £30.00, John Lewis
Le Creuset Stoneware Pestle and Mortar
Splash out on a vibrant pestle and mortar from premium French-Belgian cookware brand Le Creuset and add some colour to your kitchen. Choose from nine different colour options, from teal to a volcanic orange, and get smashing up your ingredients to add zesty, herby flavours to your cooking. The glazed stoneware is scratch resistant and easy to clean, and looks great matched with your other Le Creuset items.
Buy now £39.00, Le Creuset
ProCook Chocolate Marble Pestle & Mortar
This heavy-duty pestle and mortar is made from a high-quality granite and finished with a smooth exterior. With its strong construction, you can grind up your ingredients in record timing so you can create delicious dishes that the whole family can enjoy. Functional with a smart design, this makes a great kitchen companion.
Buy now £22.00, ProCook
H&S Pestle and Mortar Set
There is a reason why this is the best-selling pestle and mortar on Amazon. From kitchen label H&S, it has a timeless tonal design that has been created from premium solid granite and combines style and function. Strong and robust, you will be able to crush up your garlic, herbs and spices with the easy-grip handle for extra sturdiness to sprinkle over your flavoursome creations.
Buy now £18.99, Amazon
Zara Marble Mortar and Pestle
With the ability to fit seamlessly among all kitchen designs comes this on-trend marble pestle and mortar from Zara Home. It is made from 100 per cent marble in India and will be sure to impress your dinner party guests if not for the aesthetics alone than for the mouth-watering plates that you will create using the kitchen utensil. Rinse out after use and leave to be admired on the side.
Buy now £39.99, Zara
Robert Welch Pestle & Mortar
Add this to your kitchen essentials – a small but versatile tool to provide fabulous flavours and seasonings to your cooking. Made from strong cast iron and completed with a slick matt black finish, this pestle and mortar will last a lifetime and smarten up both your kitchen worktop and recipe repertoire.
Buy now £16.50, Amazon
Tala Performance Granite Pestle and Mortar
Add flavour to your cooking by grinding, pounding and crushing herbs and spices in this textured pestle and mortar from Tala. High quality and easy to use, it makes a great addition to your kitchenware and will lift your recipes to the next level as they’ll be full of wonderful fresh tastes and aromas.
Buy now £20.00, Amazon
Dunelm Marble Pestle and Mortar
A cheaper and cheerful option that won’t break the bank, Dunelm’s sweet and compact pestle and mortar is the perfect buddy to lend a hand in the kitchen. Made from solid marble that offers a traditional finish in a lovely natural tone, keep it atop your surfaces for the design detail it brings or store away easily in the cupboard to use over and over again.
Buy now £12.00, Dunelm
Kitchen Pantry Marble Pestle and Mortar
This pestle and mortar has a contemporary, en vogue design with white marble and a brass-plated base. While its a super chic addition to your kitchenware, it is also practical to use, fitting neatly into your hand to provide a tight grip while you’re grinding and crushing down your herbs and spices. Enjoy cooking up your favourite dishes and season with wonderful flavours.
Buy now £30.00, Next
Kalinko Mandalay Marble Pestle & Mortar
Support a small family-run business with the purchase of this pestle and mortar where all costs go directly to the makers. Hand carved in a tiny village north of Mandalay and using 100 per cent natural Burmese marble, it looks good but is practical too and offers a solid base for all your grinding needs.
Buy now £45.00, Kalinko
