Do you use mortar and pestle while cooking?
By A loves B
@A_loves_B (1608)
Indonesia
November 18, 2017 1:25am CST
In my place, it's common that people use mortar and pestle to grind some kinds of seeds, cloves, and other kinds of spices. I usually use mortar and pestle to grind seeds, garlic, onion, ginger, turmeric, chili, tomato, and candlenut, but if I have to cook quickly, I use blender or grinder.
Here are my technique to grind seeds using mortar and pestle. I start out by just tapping them lightly until they break up a bit for a while so that they won't fly out. Then once they're broken up, I exert more pressure until they are thoroughly crushed or ground.
Have you ever tried using mortar + pestle to grind seeds or cloves, or other kinds of spices?
10 people like this
11 responses
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
18 Nov 17
We still have a mortar and pestle at my parents' house but I don't use it at my place. I just use the blender.
3 people like this
@A_loves_B (1608)
• Indonesia
19 Nov 17
It's modern era now, so I think most of us have started to use blender only. By the way, can you use mortar and pestle?
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
19 Nov 17
@A_loves_B Yeah I did try to use it a couple of times. It was quite heavy. 
2 people like this
@A_loves_B (1608)
• Indonesia
19 Nov 17
@cahaya1983 I guess your pestle is made of stone. My pestle is made of wood, so maybe that's why it's not that heavy.
2 people like this
@A_loves_B (1608)
• Indonesia
19 Nov 17
Same here. We can find mortar and pestle in almost all houses.
1 person likes this
@yanzalong (18987)
• Indonesia
18 Nov 17
Yes, I have them. For onion and chilly, I use a blender.
2 people like this
@yanzalong (18987)
• Indonesia
19 Nov 17
@A_loves_Blender is helpful.I grate coconuts using it sometimes.
1 person likes this
@A_loves_B (1608)
• Indonesia
19 Nov 17
Yes, I sometimes also use blender for onion and chili. Also for tomato and fried peanuts.
2 people like this
@sallypup (61956)
• Centralia, Washington
20 Nov 17
@A_loves_B I like old hand tools. I have a Foley food mill- not sure if you know what that is. Its a little gadget that has a handle on it. There is a sieve like part in the middle of the round metal basket- you put the food, like cooked apples or potatoes into the middle, crank the handle and out squeezes applesauce or mashed potatoes. Many Americans don't know what a food mill is so I am not sure you will either. This mill is probably over 50 years old.
1 person likes this
@A_loves_B (1608)
• Indonesia
20 Nov 17
Lol. Who purchased the mortar and pestle? If it's you, why did you buy them?
2 people like this
@ilocosboy (45156)
• Philippines
18 Nov 17
We still have mortar and pestle in the house but we rarely use it for cooking.
2 people like this
@ilocosboy (45156)
• Philippines
20 Nov 17
There are available in the market now.
1 person likes this
@A_loves_B (1608)
• Indonesia
19 Nov 17
Who used to use it?
What do you use to grind or smash the spices?
2 people like this
@A_loves_B (1608)
• Indonesia
21 Nov 17
What spices does mom grind with the mortar and pestle?
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
19 Nov 17
Back in the day, I remember my grandparents using a mortar and pestle to make dishes. Nowadays, with food processors available, i doubt that people still use this.
2 people like this
@A_loves_B (1608)
• Indonesia
19 Nov 17
In my place many people still use mortar + prstle, along with blender.
2 people like this
@eliza_godinez12 (5723)
• Philippines
18 Nov 17
No, we only used blender at home.
2 people like this
@A_loves_B (1608)
• Indonesia
19 Nov 17
How about when you were still young? Did your mom or granny use them?
1 person likes this
@rubyriaz007 (4188)
• India
25 Nov 17
We use a mortar and pestle to grind spices. I have seen my grandmother using it when she cooks.
