Tools: Mortar and Pestle
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| A marble mortar and pestle will serve all of your beginning needs. |
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A mortar and pestle is one of the oldest traditional ways to grind herbs and spices. One places the item in the mortar and either grind in a circular motion with the pestle or combines that circular grinding with taps or with a slow, heavy pressing motion. One needs to sometimes use one of your hands to keep the material from jumping out of the mortar. My favorite "jumping" herb is star anise (Illicium verum).
Mortar and pestles can be made of different materials from wood, to various types of stone, to metal and even glass. The different materials lend themselves to grinding different types of plant material. They also vary in how easy they are to clean. When starting out, or when funds are tight, I recommend investing in a marble or granite mortar and pestle. I spent nearly a decade with a stone one (of unknown type of stone) that served for everything I needed to grind or pound. The one pictured above can be found on Amazon for a little over $25 and can last a lifetime.
| Material | Usage | Cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Wood | Soft, dry plant material | Wipe with damp cloth and air dry |
| Glass | Soft, dry plant material; Fresh plant material (like basil for pesto); soft, oily items | Handwash with soap and water, rinse well, dry with cloth and air dry |
| Metal | Soft and medium, dry plant material;Fresh plant material (like basil for pesto); soft, oily items; acidic items may stain and discolor metal |
Handwash with soap and water, rinse well, dry with cloth and air dry; ensure that your metal mortar and pestal are food safe |
| Stone: Marble | Hard, dry materials, including spices | Wipe with damp cloth and air dry |
| Stone: Granite | Hard, dry materials, including nuts | Wipe with damp cloth and air dry |
Author's Note:
Wild Blackberry Apothecary is the dream of a one-woman homesteader in the middle of Middle Tennessee, USA. I currently work full time and homestead part time with 4 dogs, 12-30 chickens, several domestic blackberry and raspberry plants - and thousands of wild blackberry vines that are trying ot take over every inch that they can. My husband of 30+ years does not homestead, but indulges me. As we look towards our retirement years, we hope to further develop our property and perhaps add more rescue dogs, more blackberries and trees, and have me move to homesteading full time.
Disclaimer:
It is the policy of Wild Blackberry Apothecary to not advise or recommend herbs or herbal concoctions for medicinal, nutritional or health user. Theis information is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation and an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. The reader should do their own research and consult with a licensed health care provider concerning their medical, nutritional and health care concerns. In addition, some plants are poisonous or can have serious adverse health effects. It is the responsibility of the reader to conduct their own research and to ensure for themselves the proper identification and use of all plants. Always seek the guidance of your qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or medical conditions.
Disclosures:
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Information offered on Wild Blackberry Apothecary websites and social media sites are for educational purposes only. Wild Blackberry Apothecary makes neither medical claim, nor intends to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. Wild Blackberry Apothecary neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements.
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