Looking for a mortar? We have researched and tested numerous models to compile the 8 best options for you!
A mortar is used to crush or grind fresh herbs for use in 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 mortar and pestle 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 little 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 took the hint.
What is the best mortar and pestle for you?
You can buy mortars in different materials and sizes. There are stone mortars, for example 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 out for when buying an auger.
The best mortar and pestle 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 flavours well separated. The mortar comes with a silicone non-slip mat.
The best cheap mortar and pestle
Maxwell & Williams White Basics Kitchen mortar – 12 cm
White porcelain mortar and pestle, diameter 12 cm. Dishwasher-safe and heat-resistant. The inside is roughened. A good mortar for mashing herbs and adding wet ingredients. Less suitable for hard nuts and seeds.
The best marble mortar and pestle
Coninx mortar and pestle – 15 cm
With this Coninx mortar made of marble, you mash all ingredients. Marble is a hard, non-porous natural stone that is easy to clean. The rough interior of the mortar simplifies the grinding of your herbs and spices.
The best granite mortar and pestle
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 washing-up liquid.
The best earthenware mortar and pestle
Le Creuset mortar – 12 cm
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 small grains won’t fly all over your kitchen.
The best metal mortar and pestle
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 the obvious choice then. This stainless steel mortar from BOTC has a handy lid with a recess for the pestle, allowing hard ingredients to be crushed without spilling out.
The best wooden mortar and pestle
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 be put in a dishwasher. Clean them under the tap without soap and dry them immediately afterwards. Preferably rub them regularly with wax or oil.
The best plastic mortar and pestle
Box Up mortar and pestle – 350 ml
The plastic Box Up mortar is easy and quick to clean. Therefore, it is very suitable for working multiple herbs and spices in immediate succession. Even garlic or pesto do not leave dominant odours. The pestle is made of wood and fits into the handy recess in the rim of the cup, which also serves as a pouring spout.
The Top-8 mortar and pestles at a glance
- The best of all: Rednas Mortar with pestle – Reversible – Granite – 14 cm
- The best cheap: Maxwell & Williams White Basics Kitchen mortar – 12 cm
- The best marble: Coninx mortar with pestle – 15 cm
- The best granite: Inno Cuisinno – 18 cm
- The best earthenware: Le Creuset mortar – 12 cm
- The best metal: BOTC mortar with pestle – stainless steel – 12 cm
- The best wooden: Bowls and Dishes Pure Olive Wood – 12 cm
- 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 properties that mortars should have. We also explain the choices you have when buying.
What features should mortars have?
Good jacks should meet the following requirements:
- They must be strong. You exert quite a lot of force on them, which could cause jacks made of softer materials to break.
- They must be stable. You don’t want them to shift or rotate while pounding.
- The inside should be rough. This 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 unpleasant smells or food residue left behind.
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 are available in diameters between 10 and 20 cm.
Once you have answered these questions for yourself, you can use our Top 8 to choose the best mortar to suit your preferences and capabilities.
Hi, I’m Thomas!
Passion for food and writing
Together with my friend Laura – the foodie on our team – we review kitchen appliances to make the choice easier for you. This way, you know which appliances are good and we save you a bad buy!
Frequently asked questions
Maybe you still have questions about mortars. Then first take a look at the frequently asked questions below. If your question is not listed, feel free to contact us.
When you use the mortar to pound herbs or spices, you press them against the rough surface, making it easier to grind those herbs and spices.
All products you want to crush or pulverise: herbs, spices, your own spice blends or herb mix, nuts, seeds et cetera.
For everything. Pesto, sauces, soup and many other dishes.