If you need a dense, coarse material that can quickly and easily grind or mash food to a fine, smooth consistency, a granite mortar and pestle is an excellent choice. It’s unclear whether or not this M&P is a good option for cooking and whether or not it’s safe.
In this piece, I’ll investigate whether or not it’s okay to use your mortar and pestle for cooking, and if so, how to get the most flavour out of your seasonings.
Therefore, may I use a granite mortar and pestle without worry? The short answer is “yes,” but you need to season it the first time to get rid of the grit and make it edible. Stones should not come into contact with food, so proper washing is essential before use.
Anybody looking for a granite mortar that is suitable for home use, take my recommendation and check out the M.V. Trading MTP92 Stone (Granite) Mortar and Pestle.
Yet, the initial cleaning isn’t sufficient either. Don’t forget to wash them with a sponge and some warm water after each usage, and give them a good rinsing, as you’ll be using them for a while. It’s also recommended that you let them air dry to avoid mustiness.
Having said that, let’s get right to the meat of the matter and discuss why you should season a new mortar and pestle.
Do You Need To Season A Granite Mortar And Pestle?
Yes, seasoning a fresh granite mortar and pestle helps takes away little abnormalities off the mortar. These little patches need to be closed up and the only way you can achieve that is to season them.
In order to remove any grits that may have been embedded in the surface, a mortar and pestle must be cured. They’ll be safe to use for grinding afterward, and you’ll reap the full benefits of whatever you’re milling.
How To Season A Granite Mortar And Pestle
You should learn how to cure a new granite mortar and pestle now that you understand why it’s so important. The procedure is straightforward, but there are a few details to remember. Might I suggest we do this instead? Good.
Step 1: Rinse With Only Water
Curing a mortar and pestle begins with the obvious step of rinsing it in running water to remove any debris.
Some of the stones or dust in your mortar can be removed by giving your m&p a quick rinse. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to repeat this process multiple times before you’ve removed enough grits to be noticeable.
Also, I don’t recommend using water that has been treated with soap. After this is done, you can move on to the next phase.
Step 2: Pour Uncooked White Rice Into The Mortar
First, you give your mortar and pestle a short rinse with water, and then you add rice. Raw white rice doesn’t take much to complete the task.
Step 3: Starts Grinding
It’s time to get down to business here. Take your time; you don’t want rice flying everywhere if you speed the process.
First, hold the pestle in one hand as you steady the mortar with the other. This will provide you with support as you make your way through the restorative process of walking.
Now that you have people rooting for you, it’s time to get down to business. While grinding uncooked rice, some people like to add a little bit of water, which is fine as long as the rice is being ground evenly all the way around the mortar with the pestle. To fully verify that the powdered rice has sealed those pores or crevices, you will need to repeat this step a further two to three times.
Step 4: Rinse
It’s a good idea to give your mortar and pestle a quick washing once you’ve finished grinding the rice into powder so that you may reuse them later for seasoning.
Step 5: Seasoning
While it’s not required to make sure your granite mortar and pestle is safe for grinding, I like to do it anyway.
Garlic and salt are two of my go-to seasonings for this. But I’ve also heard that pepper is used; I haven’t tried it myself, but I’m rather certain it’s fine.
Put everything in a mortar and pulverise it with a pestle until you have a paste. Don’t bother rinsing and drying this for at least a couple of hours.
How To Crush/Grind Things Using A Granite Mortar And Pestle
If you’re unfamiliar with using a mortar and pestle, you may be wondering how to ground ingredients without sending them flying.
You’re not the only one feeling this way. Before I figured out how to use them properly to grind practically everything, I was in your shoes.
There are two methods that I often employ when using M&P for grinding purposes. The method is known as pounding and muddling.
Muddling helps crush and smooth out ingredients without causing any damage. This approach is crucial if working with herbs or pasta.
Most people are accustomed to bashing since that’s what they see on cooking shows. In order to reduce a huge piece of material to tiny fragments, bashing is often used.
If you’re used to working with peppercorn, you know that most people begin by hitting it to crush it, and then they muffle it to further reduce the size of the particles.
Perfection in the art of bashing and muddling does require plenty of practise. Don’t rush things if you’re just starting out; instead, take it slow and easy and you’ll get better at it in due time.
There’s a video with Jamie Oliver down below that you might enjoy. The importance of smashing and muddling when using a mortar and pestle to ground ingredients is discussed by Jamie in this video.
My Ultimate Grinding Tips
When it comes to using a mortar and pestle, there’s a lot more to know than just crushing things, as someone who has used one for nearly a decade can attest.
Below are some of the tips I use on a daily basis that you might want to give a try.
- You should always add ingredients to your m&p mill one at a time when grinding. They might go flying if you add them all at once and smash them.
- The mortar should be protected when pounding by spreading your palm halfway around it. This will prevent the contents of the grinder from scattering throughout the kitchen.
- Make sure to keep a folded towel under your mortar if you live in a peaceful area. It will dampen the noise and provide a solid surface for grinding.
How To Clean A Granite Mortar And Pestle
The old wives’ tale that you can’t use soap to clean a granite mortar and pestle because of its porous surface is officially busted. What, then, is the most effective method for maintaining a granite m&p?
A granite mortar and pestle can be cleaned well by crushing uncooked rice with salt, then rinsing the set thoroughly with clean water.
You can use this method to remove residues and maintain a gleaming mortar. Once you’ve finished grinding, it’s important to clean it thoroughly.
Are Granite Mortar And Pestle Safe – FAQ
How Do You Care For Granite Mortar And Pestle?
After each usage, I’ve discovered that the simplest method to maintain your M&P is to give them a brief rinse in clean running water.
Simply washing them won’t get them ready for the next time you need them; proper storage is also required. The ideal place to keep them is somewhere it won’t be knocked over or broken.
I discovered that the best place to store them was in a lower cabinet. Considering how heavy they are, you probably wouldn’t want to move them.
Which Is Better? Granite Or Marble Mortar And Pestle?
There is no objective criterion by which to compare the two, but I can say that either one is a fantastic choice, depending on your needs.
In comparison to marble, granite is far more difficult to maintain, which is one of my few complaints about the material. To clean marble, you need to use a damp cloth.
Granite’s coarseness is another quality you’d appreciate. Anyone who has used granite m&p to grind a substance can vouch to this.
What Kind Of Mortar And Pestle Does Gordon Ramsay Use?
I won’t be able to name the specific brand of granite mortar and pestle that the James Beard Award-winning Scottish chef prefers for grinding, but I can say that he uses them frequently.
A fine granite mortar and pestle set from Amazon is a good investment if you aspire to emulate his skills.
Are Granite Mortar And Pestle Safe – Conclusion
When properly cured or seasoned before each use, any mortar and pestle can be made safe. In order to remove the grit and dust from an M&P, seasoning is the only option.
If you’re going to use a mortar and pestle, make sure to season them well and wash them with clean water and a piece of dried rice after each use.
So, there you have it, guys: all you need to know about sterilising a mortar and pestle for use in the kitchen. Feel free to ask any follow-up questions you might have on this subject in the comments section.