Last Updated on October 5, 2022 by Lauren Beck
Freshly ground herbs and spices really elevate a dish, but sometimes you don’t have the tools (or the time) to grind them by hand. Don’t despair! There are plenty of ways to get the job done without a mortar and pestle.
Mortar and Pestle Substitute
Here are the 10 best ways to grind spices without a mortar and pestle:
- Use a coffee grinder: This is probably the most common way to grind spices, and it’s really effective. Coffee grinders are designed to grind coffee beans, but they do a great job at grinding spices too. Just make sure to clean the grinder in between uses, or your coffee will start to taste like curry!
- Use a food processor: If you have one, then this is probably the easiest way to grind spices. Just throw the spices into the food processor and pulse until they’re finely ground.
- Use a blender: This works best for larger spices like cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. Just add the spices to the blender and pulse until they’re finely ground.
- Use a pepper grinder: This is a great way to grind smaller spices like peppercorns and cardamom pods. Just put the spices in the grinder and give it a few good turns.
- Use a rolling pin: This is a great way to grind larger spices like cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. Just place the spice on a cutting board and use a rolling pin to crush it.
- Use a knife: This is the most basic way to grind spices, and it works well for smaller spices like peppercorns and cardamom pods. Just place the spice on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to chop it into smaller pieces.
- Ziplock bag and a mallet: This is a great way to grind larger spices like cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. Just place the spice in a ziplock bag and use a mallet or rolling pin to crush it.
- Use a meat hammer: This is a great way to grind larger spices like cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. Just place the spice in a ziplock bag and use a meat hammer to crush it.
- Use a Spice Grater: This method is ideal for grinding smaller spices such as nutmeg and cloves. Simply scrape the spice onto a cutting board or plate using a cheese grater.
- Grate your spices with a microplane: This is an excellent method to crush smaller spices like nutmeg and cloves. Simply use a cheese grater to grate the spice over a cutting board or plate.
With these 10 methods, you should be able to grind any spice without a mortar and pestle!
Types of Mortar and Pestle
There are many different types of mortar and pestle, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Here is a quick overview of the most common types:
- Wooden mortar and pestle: Wooden mortar and pestles are great for crushing softer spices like garlic and ginger. However, they can be difficult to clean and can absorb flavors from the spices.
- Stone mortar and pestle: Stone mortar and pestles are great for crushing harder spices like peppercorns and cardamom pods. However, they can be difficult to clean and can absorb flavors from the spices.
- Metal mortar and pestle: Metal mortar and pestles are great for crushing hard spices like peppercorns and cardamom pods. They’re also very easy to clean and don’t absorb flavors from the spices.
- Plastic mortar and pestle: Plastic mortar and pestles are great for crushing softer spices like garlic and ginger. They’re also very easy to clean and don’t absorb flavors from the spices.
- Mortar and pestle sets: Mortar and pestle sets usually come with multiple sizes, so you can choose the right size for the job. However, they can be difficult to clean and can absorb flavors from the spices.
No matter what type of mortar and pestle you choose, make sure to clean it thoroughly after each use to prevent the absorption of flavors from the spices.
What Factors Should You Look for When Selecting the Best Mortar and Pestle
When selecting the best mortar and pestle, there are several factors you should consider:
- Material: The material of the mortar and pestle is important because it will determine how easy it is to clean and how well it grinds the spices.
- Size: The size of the mortar and pestle is important because you want to make sure it’s big enough to grind the spices, but not so big that it’s difficult to use.
- Shape: The shape of the mortar and pestle is important because you want to make sure it’s easy to hold and use.
- Price: The price of the mortar and pestle is important because you want to make sure it’s affordable.
With these factors in mind, you should be able to find the best mortar and pestle for your needs [1].
How Do You Crush Herbs Into Powder?
To crush herbs into powder, you will need a mortar and pestle. The mortar is a bowl, usually made of stone, ceramic, or wood. The pestle is a club-shaped tool that is used to grind the herbs into a powder. First, place the herbs in the mortar. Then, use the pestle to grind the herbs into a fine powder. When you’re finished, store the powder in an airtight container.
How Do You Crush Allspice?
The allspice berry is quite hard and difficult to grind without the use of a mortar and pestle. However, there are a few ways that you can try in order to successfully crush allspice. One way is to place the allspice berries onto a cutting board and then use the back of a spoon to press down on the berries and grind them. Another way is to place the allspice berries into a plastic bag and then use a rolling pin to crush them. Finally, you can also place the allspice berries into a coffee grinder or food processor and pulse until they are ground.
Conclusion
There are many different ways to grind spices without a mortar and pestle. However, the best way to grind spices will depend on the type of spice and the desired consistency. If you want to achieve a fine powder, then it’s best to use a coffee grinder or food processor. For larger pieces, such as allspice berries, you can try crushing them with a rolling pin or the back of a spoon. Ultimately, the best way to grind spices is to experiment and find what works best for you.
Reference:
- https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/a-guide-to-choosing-a-mortar-and-pestle-article
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