Mortar and Pestle, Unpolished Granite, 6 Inch

Most households don't need a mortal and pestle, but it can be handy if you cook a lot because eventually you will come across a recipe that requires you to mash something up.For me, I use this mainly to mash up dried up chile, garlic, or peanuts (so far), to make some kind of sauce. The mortal is a thick and heavy granite bowl, and the pestle is made of the same material. I read somewhere that granite was the material of choice when owning one of these, which is why I chose granite. The granite is unpolished (not smooth) which allows for a more effective grind. The weight of the mortal allows it to stay in place pretty well when pounding on a counter. I prefer to place a paper towel under it because I don't want the unfinished texture to mark up my counter.To clean, after you're done you should rinse it immediately in warm water and wash off everything; you don't want any foods to stay stuck in the cracks.If you are a blooming chef that cooks frequently, you should have one of these in your arsenal of kitchen tools. Recommended.

I. love. it!. I heard about Jamie Oliver and that piqued my interest but I read reviews on other products before buying and decided to go with this one.I was a bit nervous that it would be too small or too smooth but it is just right for and I have no regrets. I look forward to making curry pastes and pesto. It was well packed when it arrived and was easy to season. It holds 2 cups of water when filled to the brim. I used it to crush some garlic and it worked great! I love its size and the way it handles. I used to use a wood mortar and pestle and didn't like that it would absorb all the smells. This cleans easy and the best part is that it doesnt leave any odor behind.

We love this. It’s so sturdy and heavy. Great stability. Works for what we need it. I love that it’s so nice and we keep it on the counter as a decoration when not in use

I have now been using this mortar + pestle for just about 4 years. I've been several times (changing apartments, changing jobs) but have kept this mortar + pestle! It's great for grinding up spices, garlic, ginger, peppers, etc. I think it's a nice size and the pestle is a good shape. It was easy to clean before using it on food and it has been easy to clean ever since. It's definitely heavy! But this one is a nice size so that it's not too heavy / awkward to move around or use. Highly recommend!

My first mortar and pestle, and I love it! The granite is a nice gray and black, the inside is deep and nicely shaped that the food stays inside the mortar, and the inside is also smooth, with some small ridges that helps with crushing spices and grinding. It's a heavy piece of kitchen equipment, and one way to improve on the design is to add a small rubber foot so it does not slip and slide on the kitchen counter.The reason for 4 stars is that the outside top 1/2 of the outside of the mortar is nice and smoothish but the bottom 1/2 is kinda jagged and rough. It looks as if QC didn't care about the lower half and whoever did the cutting left the bottom half looking as if it were shaped by two rocks smashing into the mortar. It's not a big deal, but for $30, I kinda wish they made the product uniform in quality. Additionally, the jagged portion as small pieces of granite falling off of it, even after washing it and using it. Hope it wont be a problem in the long run.

My wife makes her own spicy sauces and cutting peppers is not the same as crushing. This thing is nice and heavy/stable, and makes those peppers fall apart into delicious fluid that is easier to spread over your next creation. The size is just right at about 6 inches diameter. Well made and easy to hand wash. I love this product and recommend it to people that love to make herbal (garlic, peppers, onions) seasoning for steaks or homemade remedies.

I got this for my mom for Mother's Day, and I was so pleased with how nice it was when it got here. It is beautiful and very sturdy, probably the nicest set I've ever seen. Mom was over the moon, as she'd been wanting one a while. She told me the other day how much she uses it and how happy it makes her! Mother's Day success!!

Great item. High quality, sturdy, and perfect for all the grinding and pounding you might want to do to cook for 2-4 people. I've used it for dry spices, wet rubs, pesto, powdered nuts etc. and have always been happy. Plus there's just something therapeutic about using a heavy mortar and pestle. Place it on a small kitchen towel or oven mitt, and pound away!