We must always remember to be thankful for the progress made possible by each new piece of technology. Can you imagine where humanity would be if we hadn’t made this change to improve living conditions for everyone? Obviously, that would have been a terrible idea.
New technology advances, however, have made our lives more easier. The usage of grinders is one such achievement; it has liberated us from stress for good. The question is what to do if you find yourself in a sticky situation without one.
Can I, Then, Use a Coffee Grinder Instead? Yes, unquestionably, without a doubt. In the absence of a spice grinder, you can substitute a Mortar & pestle, Microplane grater, or Peppermill.
What Is The Best Way To Grind Spices?
Since we can’t put all spices through a grinder, we need to find other means to achieve the same fine consistency. It’s high time we get right on them. Okay, let’s do this.
1. Mortar And Pestle
The mortar and pestle will remain one of the most effective spice grinders for many years to come. It’s clear that they’ve facilitated the speed and simplicity that we humans value. Basically, a mortar and pestle are useful tools for breaking down spices and making them more manageable for usage in a variety of dishes.
Before you use a granite mortar, give it a good scrub and a soak in clean water to “season” it. The next step is to fill the mortar with uncooked rice and pound it until it is completely free of debris. After discarding it, the same procedure for cooking rice should be carried for a second and third time. Next, put your spices through the grinder.
Note: You can only carry this out if the mortar was newly purchased.
Second, add the spices to the mortar to be ground. For your information, you can either carefully measure the desired amount of spices, or you can simply pour them all into the mortar and bash or muddle them together.
The latter is designed so that you don’t have to smash or mix the same spices over and over again whenever you need to cook new cuisines. You won’t have to bash or muddle as much if at all because of this.
The next step is to hold the mortar and lightly pound the spices with it. It’s important to be gentle when pounding so that the contents don’t pour out. Your spices will be ready just as quickly if you use a slow and steady approach.
Finally, collect the spices and pour them onto a bowl or plate. If there is a lot, you can always put some aside for later use. Next, calculate how much you’ll need for your project.
2. Microplane Grater
Of course, not all spices are the same. Some ingredients need to be smashed/mushed in a mortar, while others need to be grate using a grater. Get the grater, hold it upright, and grate the spice carefully until you’ve used it all up or have the right amount.
3. Pepper Mill
The pepper mill is another tool for grinding spices. I believe that the benefits of technology outweigh the risks. We can’t even fathom life before these conveniences. Grounding these spices into powder form proved challenging.
The creators of these products aren’t oblivious to the needs of the global community. The pepper mill is another example of one of these innovations. Collect the mill, give it a quick cleaning in clean water, and then fill it with the spices. To achieve a fine powder, simply hold it and twist off the lid. The mill’s grinder is housed in the mill’s top. So, the instant you give it a twist, the spices are being pulverised to pieces; pretty neat, huh?
How Do You Grind Nutmeg Without A Grinder?
Thousands of people have asked me if nutmeg can be ground in a spice grinder, so I know it’s a common question. Sorry, but that’s not the case. If you’re going to risk ruining your grinder by using it to grind nutmeg, you might as well use something else. Avoiding the use of appliances like grinders and blenders to achieve a finely ground spice like nutmeg is possible. But without a grinder, how can you prepare nutmeg for use?
Here are two must-have items for any home cook: a nutmeg grinder and a nutmeg.
1. Microplane Grater
A Microplane grater’s practicality is hard to overstate. The problems we’ve been having in the kitchen are now solved thanks to this brilliant invention. Knowing that so many resources exist to lend a hand, we don’t have to give any thought or attention to figuring out how to get these things done.
A grater is the answer to all of our troubles. Preparing to grate nutmeg merely entails gathering the necessary grater and spice. You can use a bowl, a flat cutter, or a marble kitchen counter to store the grater. Use whichever one works best for you. Success in achieving one’s goals is of paramount importance.
Now, hold the grater vertically with slanted hands, grab the nutmeg, and shred it along the grater to make a fine powder.
2. Nut Mill/ Nutmeg Grinder
Grinder mills designed exclusively for preparing nuts are called “nut mills.” It’s common knowledge that nuts are among the most difficult foods to ground. The consistency won’t be as uniform as after running them through a nut mill grinder, but you can try breaking them with a knife.
How do you use a nut mill or nutmeg grinder?
It’s simple to use this item to get a fine powder out of your nutmeg. If you don’t already have a nutmeg grater, you can buy one by following the link (GEFU 34670). So, to start using the grinder, you’d put the nutmeg in the container.
The next step is to grasp the grinder’s handle and twist it repeatedly until the desired consistency is reached or the grinding process is complete.
Can I Grind Spices Without A Grinder – Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Grind Cloves Without A Grinder?
Cloves are a common example of a difficult-to-grind spice. A lot of people would find that extremely challenging to accomplish. Now you may have your cloves crushed and ground quickly and conveniently whenever you need them.
Inconveniently, a grinder will not work for chopping cloves. We all know that with the help of a grinder, we can accomplish a lot, but not every spice can be ground with the same grinder. And so, if you’ve ever wondered how to ground cloves without too much hassle, allow me to show you how it’s done.
1. Mortar And Pestle
To finely mince any quantity of cloves, all you need is a mortar and pestle (like the CBAM White Marble Mortar & Pestle) to do the job. Put the cloves in the mortar and mash them around with the pestle until they reach the desired consistency.
You have the option of having it ground either dried or with a touch of water. Since you have a clear idea of your goal, you may proceed with confidence. Overall, make sure you’re improving performance.
2. Knife And A Chopping Board
In addition to using a mortar and pestle, cloves can also be ground using a chopping board. Cut the cloves in half or quarters and place them on the cutting board.
A Word of Caution:
Because of this, it is impossible to use a grinder to crush cloves. Because of its potency, grinding cloves could damage the grinder. Either pounding them with a mortar and pestle or slicing them on a cutting board with a knife will do the trick.
How Do You Grind Coriander Without A Grinder
Regarding this, we’ll take a bifurcated look at the situation. Coriander has dual applications. To season food with either the leaves or the seeds of the coriander herb. In any case, we know how to get rid of your coriander problem.
If you wish to cook using coriander leaves, you need first chop them or combine them. Such leaves can be easily ground using a basic grinder. Put the leaves in a blender, turn it on, and let it run until the leaves are finely ground to your satisfaction.
Second, if you want to utilise simply the leaves in a dish, a chopping board and knife are your best bet. Arrange a cutting board and fill a bowl with clean water for washing the leaves. Put them through a filter to separate the water. Cut them out and set them on the board.
Secondly, we’ll discuss using a rotary coffee grinder (like the Noiseless Electric Coffee Bean / Spice Grinder By Keenstone) in conjunction with a mortar and pestle to crush the coriander seeds.
It appears that the mortar and pestle are making a comeback in modern culture. There’s no question about it; they have a wide variety of applications in the kitchen and have done so long before the creation of a grinder and other similar devices.
Rinse the coriander seeds under running water, then drain them in a sieve before adding them to the mortar. In order to get the desired consistency, it may be necessary to bash or muddle the substance. In regards to the alternative, a rotary coffee grinder would be the best option. Please click the link and purchase one if you don’t already have one. Wash and dry it as required, then measure out an appropriate amount and grind it to the desired consistency in a coffee grinder.
How To Grind Fennel Seeds Without A Grinder
Fennel seeds are the last topic we’ll cover in regards to the grinding of spices. Fennel seeds are best ground in a variety of methods, each of which is known for its ability to alleviate gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, indigestion, bloating, and the like.
Your fennel seeds can be ground in one of four ways;
- Pestle and mortar (such as Thai Super-Size Granite Mortar and Pestle)
- Grinders for spices
- Involving the use of your digits
- Using a clay vessel
- Just a knife, cutting board, and some food, and you can make a delicious meal.
All of the methods described above are excellent for crushing fennel seeds. Then, let’s talk about them in more detail below.
1. Mortar And Pestle
The use of a mortar and pestle for this purpose has never been difficult. After a thorough cleaning with fresh water, add the fennel seeds to the mortar. Then, put the fennel seeds in the mortar and mash them up with the pestle.
2. Spice Grinder
A spice grinder is still one of the most practical kitchen tools in the 21st century. For example, fennel seeds and other spices can be used. Amazon is where you should go to make your purchase. Then, place the fennel seeds into the spice grinder, set it on, and let it run for a few minutes.
3. By Using Your Hands
The fennel seeds shouldn’t be crushed with bare hands, despite the common misconception. Put the fennel seeds in a plastic bag, seal it, and start crushing them with a rolling pin, pestle, or whatever you have handy.
Take care not to hurt your hands if you decide to employ this technique, and do it by going slowly and carefully. Don’t rush into anything and hurt yourself.
4. By Using A Pot
A few of you might think this is strange, but it’s not. Spices have been ground in various vessels for quite some time. When invoked properly, this has been effective since the beginning of time. Spread the seeds out on the marble, and then grind them down with the pot.
5. By Using A Knife And A Chopping Board
Chopping the fennel seeds into smaller pieces with a knife and cutting board is another option. Simply wash them as usual, stack as many as you can on the cutting board, and get to work. You shouldn’t let that stop your momentum. In a nutshell, it’s a breeze and can be done quickly.
Can I Grind Spices Without A Grinder – Conclusion
As the use of spices is essential in every meal, so too is the usage of grinders. When we say “grinders,” we mean anything like a coffee grinder, spice grinder, meat grinder, etc.
The convenience and increased quality of such products has revolutionised the kitchen. We used to only be able to imagine a time like this, so it’s great that it’s now here.