Such a kitchen tool, as a mortar, is necessary in any kitchen. It is especially important to have it for people who like to cook or simply adore spices. After all, the smell of fresh spices is much more intense and brighter than those bought in the store.
Now you can buy mortars in different sizes and shapes. In addition, they can be made of wood, stone, porcelain or other materials. The choice of a product depends on your own preferences and the purposes for which it is purchased.
Stone mortars
Mortars made from stone are most suitable for crushing various grains or seeds, as well as kernels of nuts and fruits. Such mortars are very popular in the countries of Asia, Oceania and South America. The only drawback of such products from basalt is the inability to achieve a uniform and smooth surface, due to the peculiarities of the structure of the stone. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to obtain homogeneity of the mixture.
But other stones such as granite, onyx and some others are more malleable in processing, and the spices in them can be ground to the desired state. In addition, the stone does not react to the effects of acids and dyes, which is very important for repeated use. The exception is marble, which is less solid than the rest of the stones, and even the weakest acids affect it.
Beautiful products from semi-precious stones have all the same qualities as ordinary stone, but they stand, of course, much more.
Wooden mortars
Culinary mortars made of natural wood are used mainly for grinding for crushing cereals and seeds.
Such products are very resistant to the effects of alkaline or acidic ingredients that are part of the processed products. But the weak point of the tree is that it absorbs all the smells of the food inside, which ultimately affects the service life.
In addition, the wood is easily colored in the colors of the processed products.
When choosing a mortar from wood, it is better to give preference to hard grades. So, products from olives, even with intensive use, easily cope with the task set before them and serve for a long time.
Porcelain or glass mortar
These culinary accessories first appeared in China. They are very beautiful and look good in the kitchen, besides they just wash. But the low hardness of porcelain, its suppleness to moisture and chemicals makes it less resistant than stone.
In such a mortar it is not recommended to crush solid products. But for grinding or seeds or nuts, it is quite suitable. Mortars from porcelain in pharmacology are very popular.
Glass is very beautiful material, but for mortars it is not very suitable, even if it is tempered. This brittle material can crumble when subjected to mechanical influences or sudden changes in temperature. If you could not pass by a beautiful cooking object from such material, then use it solely for the preparation of pastes or constituents of drinks.