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Looking for a mortar? We researched and tested numerous models to compile the 8 best options for you!

A mortar is used for crushing or grinding fresh herbs so you can incorporate them into all kinds of dishes, such as pesto, marinades or guacamole. What types of mortars are there, what do you use them for and what is the best mortar for you? You’ll find out in this article.

Why a kitchen mortar is a must have for your kitchen

We have had a beautiful marble mortar and pestle on our kitchen counter for years. A beautiful thing, but until recently I only used it to collect rubber bands, clasps and other small things. Until I decided to make my own pesto one day. I set to work in the kitchen with a cutting board and a sharp kitchen knife to cut the basil as finely as possible. Unfortunately, that went wrong and the basil soon turned a little red with blood. My friend saw it happen and smiling pityingly, she emptied the mortar, put it in front of me without saying anything and put the basil in it. I understood the hint.

What is the best mortar for you?

You can buy mortars in different materials and sizes. There are stone mortars, such as those made of marble or granite, ceramic mortars and even mortars made of wood. Below we highlight the pros and cons of all of them in the form of a Top 8. We also explain what to look for when buying an auger.

1 The best mortar of all

Rednas Mortar with pestle – Reversible – Granite – 14 cm

This 14 cm granite mortar with pestle by Rednas has the great advantage of being reversible. So you have 2 mortars in 1, allowing you to keep different flavors well separated. The mortar comes with a silicone non-slip mat.

2 The best cheap mortar

Maxwell & Williams White Basics Kitchen mortar – 12 cm

White porcelain mortar with pestle, diameter 12 cm. Dishwasher safe and heat resistant. The inside is roughened. A good mortar for crushing herbs and adding wet ingredients. Less suitable for hard nuts and seeds.

3 The best marble mortar

Coninx mortar with pestle – 15 cm

With this Coninx mortar made of marble you mash all ingredients. Marble is a hard, non-porous natural stone that can be easily cleaned. The rough interior of the mortar simplifies the grinding of your herbs and spices.

4 The best granite mortar

Inno Cuisinno – 18 cm

A generously sized mortar in granite, ideal for grinding hard, even slightly larger ingredients. After use you can wash the mortar and pestle in granite under the tap with warm water, without detergent.

5 The best earthenware mortar

Le Creuset mortar – 12 cmWhen you see the name Le Creuset, you know 2 things for sure: that the product is good, but not cheap. The same goes for this porcelain mortar, which is not inferior to stone mortars. The inside of this mortar is roughened, allowing fresh herbs to be ground well and preventing small grains from flying all over your kitchen.

When you see the name Le Creuset, you know 2 things for sure: that the product is good, but not cheap. The same goes for this porcelain mortar, which is not inferior to stone mortars. The inside of this mortar is roughened, allowing fresh herbs to be ground well and preventing small grains from flying all over your kitchen.

6 The best metal mortar

BOTC mortar and pestle – stainless steel – 12 cm

If you are going to mash strong-smelling ingredients like garlic, you want a mortar that is perfectly cleanable. A stainless steel mortar is then the obvious choice. This stainless steel mortar from BOTC has a handy lid with a cutout for the pestle, allowing hard ingredients to be crushed without spilling out.

7 The best wooden mortar

Bowls and Dishes Pure Olive Wood – 12 cm

This Bowls and Dishes mortar is made of pure olive wood. It is a perfect mortar to give as a gift, as each one has its own unique markings. Wooden mortars should not go in dishwasher. Clean them under the tap without soap and dry them immediately afterwards. Preferably rub them with wax or oil regularly.

8 The best plastic mortar

Box Up mortar and pestle – 350 ml

The plastic Box Up mortar is easy and quick to clean. Therefore, it is great for working multiple herbs and spices in immediate succession. Even garlic or pesto do not leave dominant odors. The pestle is made of wood and fits into the convenient recess in the rim of the cup, which also serves as a pouring spout.

The Top-8 mortars at a glance

1. The best of all: Rednas Mortar with pestle – Reversible – Granite – 14 cm
2. The best inexpensive: Maxwell & Williams White Basics Kitchen mortar – 12 cm
3. The best marble: Coninx mortar with pestle – 15 cm
4. The best granite: Inno Cuisinno – 18 cm
5. The best earthenware: Le Creuset mortar – 12 cm
6. The best metal: BOTC mortar with pestle – stainless steel – 12 cm
7. The best wooden: Bowls and Dishes Pure Olive Wood – 12 cm
8. The best plastic: Box Up mortar and pestle – 350 ml

Buying a mortar and pestle: what to look out for?

Mortars come in all shapes and sizes. In this buying guide, we discuss a number of features that mortars should have. We also explain the choices you have when buying a mortar.

What features should augers have?

Good augers should meet the following requirements:

• They must be strong. You exert quite a lot of force on them, so jacks made of softer materials might break.
• They must be stable. You don’t want them to shift or spin while pounding.
• The inside should be rough. That makes it easier to grind the ingredients.
• They should be easy to clean. In the dishwasher or by hand, it doesn’t matter, but you don’t want any nasty odors or food residue left in them.

What choices should you make?

• The material. Do you want to buy a stainless steel, wooden, plastic, marble or granite mortar?
• Your budget. How much do you want to spend on the purchase?
• The size. Mortars come in diameters between 10 and 20 cm.

Once you’ve answered these questions for yourself, you can use our Top 8 to choose the best mortar that fits your preferences and capabilities.

Frequently asked questions

Maybe you still have questions about mortars. Take a look at the frequently asked questions below. If your question is not listed, feel free to contact us.

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