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Product DetailsSize: 2+ cup
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Product Description
Size: 2+ cup
Manufactured in Thailand by ImportFood, the exclusive importer. Order from ImportFood to avoid knockoff versions made of inferior stone. Hand carved granite, this durable high quality product is an important tool for Thai cooking as well as around the world. Won't chip or crack. Each mortar is cut from a solid granite rock and carefully carved by hand. Hefty 12 lb weight, this product has remarkable visual appeal and is the finest mortar and pestle on the market. We use the finest raw material available, an extremely dense granite with Mohs hardness of 7+. ImportFood mentioned as the best mortar and pestle in America by The Wall Street Journal (Feb 16, 2007).
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
222 of 230 people found the following review helpful
By Kinda F.
Size Name:2+ cup
I love pesto. My boyfriend insists on making it the traditional Italian way, with a mortar and pestle, because Marcella Hazan recommends it that way. I didn't think I could ever make pesto myself, because I don't have enough strength in my arms to grind away with the mortar and pestle my boyfriend had. It was porcelain and small and inconvenient for making pesto in larger quantities for when we had guests over. So I decided to get him a new one, bigger and better.
I searched several mainstream kitchen stores and was unhappy with the selections they had. If the mortars weren't too small, the pestles almost always were. They seemed painful to work with as I worried my boyfriend would bang his fist around while grinding. Then I found this one at Sur La Table. Their price was comparable to the one offered here.
I got the biggest size mortar and pestle. At first, I was hesitant because it didn't come in any packaging and so I couldn't check who the makers were or what material its made of and other such information. It really was just "what you see is what you get". It did have a "Made in Thailand" sticker, but I had no idea if Thailand was famous for its mortars and pestles. I did think that to ship something this heavy all the way from Thailand would be expensive, which I really don't think is reflected in the price. Also, the material (which I now know is granite) seemed to have some imperfections. For example, the handles on the side are just for show and serve no function and they weren't identical. I wondered if this was some kind of "tourist trap" item made in Thailand that was imported.
I finally decided to get it because it was the biggest and sturdiest mortar and pestle I had found. I could also return it if my boyfriend didn't approve of it. It also looked so pretty. We wouldn't have to put it away as it would make a great display/conversation piece in the kitchen. What I also loved about it was that the mortar and the pestle each were made in one piece. Nothing could possibly break off or loosen up.
My boyfriend loved it upon sight! He agreed it was a great display piece. And more importantly, big enough to grind enough pesto for a large dinner party. But the real test was actually trying it out to make pesto in it. My goodness! What used to take my boyfriend 20 minutes to make now takes him 5 minutes. Better yet, as heavy as that pestle is compared to others, I could grind pesto now with little effort! It's such a pleasure to make now, as I witness a miracle taking place in the mortar. Just a few grinds and swirls makes basil leaves become the required paste. It practically makes itself!
Yes, its heavy! I thought that would be a drawback, because then we couldn't hold it while we were grinding. But there's no need for that! It's so heavy that it won't move around the counter top while grinding, and it does the job so efficiently and quickly that there's no need to hold it for shoulder and arm joint relief. We also found out that some granite grit would come into the food. Some online research revealed that grinding some uncooked rice in the mortar, throwing it out and repeating the process until a batch of rice remained white instead of gritty would solve the problem. I know this sounds like a hassle, but if you're looking for long-term satisfaction as a serious cook, this is it. No two ways about it.
Now I know that the imperfections in the granite are natural. Considering that it is extremely difficult to chip away granite, I wonder how they carved out handles and all in the first place!
I love it!
P.S. My boyfriend has used it to grind spices for curry and said it worked great for that as well.
I searched several mainstream kitchen stores and was unhappy with the selections they had. If the mortars weren't too small, the pestles almost always were. They seemed painful to work with as I worried my boyfriend would bang his fist around while grinding. Then I found this one at Sur La Table. Their price was comparable to the one offered here.
I got the biggest size mortar and pestle. At first, I was hesitant because it didn't come in any packaging and so I couldn't check who the makers were or what material its made of and other such information. It really was just "what you see is what you get". It did have a "Made in Thailand" sticker, but I had no idea if Thailand was famous for its mortars and pestles. I did think that to ship something this heavy all the way from Thailand would be expensive, which I really don't think is reflected in the price. Also, the material (which I now know is granite) seemed to have some imperfections. For example, the handles on the side are just for show and serve no function and they weren't identical. I wondered if this was some kind of "tourist trap" item made in Thailand that was imported.
I finally decided to get it because it was the biggest and sturdiest mortar and pestle I had found. I could also return it if my boyfriend didn't approve of it. It also looked so pretty. We wouldn't have to put it away as it would make a great display/conversation piece in the kitchen. What I also loved about it was that the mortar and the pestle each were made in one piece. Nothing could possibly break off or loosen up.
My boyfriend loved it upon sight! He agreed it was a great display piece. And more importantly, big enough to grind enough pesto for a large dinner party. But the real test was actually trying it out to make pesto in it. My goodness! What used to take my boyfriend 20 minutes to make now takes him 5 minutes. Better yet, as heavy as that pestle is compared to others, I could grind pesto now with little effort! It's such a pleasure to make now, as I witness a miracle taking place in the mortar. Just a few grinds and swirls makes basil leaves become the required paste. It practically makes itself!
Yes, its heavy! I thought that would be a drawback, because then we couldn't hold it while we were grinding. But there's no need for that! It's so heavy that it won't move around the counter top while grinding, and it does the job so efficiently and quickly that there's no need to hold it for shoulder and arm joint relief. We also found out that some granite grit would come into the food. Some online research revealed that grinding some uncooked rice in the mortar, throwing it out and repeating the process until a batch of rice remained white instead of gritty would solve the problem. I know this sounds like a hassle, but if you're looking for long-term satisfaction as a serious cook, this is it. No two ways about it.
Now I know that the imperfections in the granite are natural. Considering that it is extremely difficult to chip away granite, I wonder how they carved out handles and all in the first place!
I love it!
P.S. My boyfriend has used it to grind spices for curry and said it worked great for that as well.
126 of 130 people found the following review helpful
Size Name:2+ cup
I got one of these as a gift, and I just love it. The heavy granite is perfect for bashing peppercorns. I don't even have a grinder anymore; when I want fresh pepper for soup or cooking, I put a teaspoon of peppercorns (usually a gourmet green and black mix) into the mortar and in only a few seconds I either have crushed pepper for roasts, or I grind it down for fine pepper for soups. You can control the grind extremely well; from dust-fine to coarse.
Garlic is heavenly, mashed with butter, and if you use allspice, it is so much better in whole form, crushed just before use. Allspice seems to lose its potency in ground form, so I only by whole spice. Same goes for coriander seeds.
This also makes good wet herb pastes (like gremolata with parsley, lemon zest and salt) or nut pastes for stuffing under chicken skin before roasting. It's fast to use, attractive on the kitchen counter and easy to clean. If you like to use fresh spices and herbs in your cooking, this is a must.
Garlic is heavenly, mashed with butter, and if you use allspice, it is so much better in whole form, crushed just before use. Allspice seems to lose its potency in ground form, so I only by whole spice. Same goes for coriander seeds.
This also makes good wet herb pastes (like gremolata with parsley, lemon zest and salt) or nut pastes for stuffing under chicken skin before roasting. It's fast to use, attractive on the kitchen counter and easy to clean. If you like to use fresh spices and herbs in your cooking, this is a must.
129 of 135 people found the following review helpful
By Herzog
Size Name:2+ cup
I can't tell you how much I am enjoying using it. Why this mortar? Granite is heaviest. This one is smooth and cleans out well without leaving any smell residues. I love garlic paste with little oil and salt that comes out of this mortar. Put it on tomatoes and mamma mia! It is one of the best purchases I ever made. It's been around for so long and it seems only now we (western society) are discovering that food mashed are not the same as when you cut or grind them. You got a have this one!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
I absolutley love my mortar and pestle
This was larger than I expected. It is heavy and I absolutely love it. It took a little longer than usual to receive it but it was well worth the wait!
Published 1 day ago by TerriLeigh
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful and works great
This makes quick work of grinding spices, makes a load of guacamole & you can serve it in the beautiful molcajete. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Joelle Steffen
5.0 out of 5 stars
works great
I use it to grind my coffee beans every day. Also used it to grind some flower for chocolate chip cookies. Grinding flower is a little more time consuming / difficult though.
Published 7 days ago by David J. Zeutzius
5.0 out of 5 stars
should be part of kitchen essentials
quality is superb, heavy and stable.
liked all parts, the supplier can make the outside a bit smooth, not that it is bad right now. Read more
liked all parts, the supplier can make the outside a bit smooth, not that it is bad right now. Read more
Published 10 days ago by bd
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than expected
It has beautiful rich color that my wife likes. Though since it's made fo granite it's a little heavy to move, but perfect for cushing material in its bowl.
Published 24 days ago by Normal Joe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome!
Honestly, I don't know how I ever cooked without it. I used it to grind all kinds of herbs and pulverize nuts and peppercorns. Read more
Published 29 days ago by 7PnFlMM2
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect
Fabulous quality, wonderful price, perfect size for people who really like to cook. Destined to become a family heirloom. Very heavy!
Published 29 days ago by kimberly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quality
Quality, very heavy & sturdy! Even came w/instructions on how to clean & prepare when you first get it. And it's bigger than I thought it would be. =)
Published 1 month ago by MandyShea
5.0 out of 5 stars
Works like it should
I purchased primarily to grind fresh Fennel for my Italian sausage. Having read reviews on many different Mortar and Pestle combinations I was concerned that I may need a face... Read more
Published 1 month ago by WRIGHTAmer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sturdy
We love our mortar pestle.. it is our first one so don't have much to compare against.
We went for the large and it is big, evaluate your needs before buying.. Read more
We went for the large and it is big, evaluate your needs before buying.. Read more
Published 1 month ago by A. Mansoor
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