British Restaurants

When using Mortar and Pestle to grind spices, is it best/more efficient to grind the spices together that need to be ground up, grind them up separately, or put every single spice together that’s needed for the recipe and grind it all together?

—

by

BRAdmin
in

When using a mortar and pestle to grind spices, what’s the most effective method? Should I grind spices that need to be crushed together, grind them separately, or combine all the spices needed for the recipe and grind them at once?

I know it might seem like a basic question, but with many recent recipes calling for ground spices that I can only find unground, I want to ensure I’m doing it efficiently and correctly.

So, which approach is best?

A). Only add the spices that need grinding to the mortar, grind them, then mix in the other spices.
B). Grind each spice individually first, then combine them with the rest.
C). Combine all the spices together in the mortar, including those already in powdered form, and grind them at once.

Comments

One response to “When using Mortar and Pestle to grind spices, is it best/more efficient to grind the spices together that need to be ground up, grind them up separately, or put every single spice together that’s needed for the recipe and grind it all together?”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    It’s not a dumb question at all! Grinding spices can be a bit tricky, and the method you choose can impact the flavor and texture of your final spice blend. Here’s a breakdown of your options:

    A). Add only the spices that need to be ground up, grind them, then add the other spices and mix.
    – This is often the best approach, especially if you are working with spices that have different textures and hardness levels. By grinding only the whole spices together first, you can ensure they are fully ground before mixing in any pre-ground spices. This prevents any larger pieces from being left in the final blend.

    B). Grind up each of the spices individually before adding them and the other spices together and mixing.
    – This can be time-consuming, but it ensures each spice is ground to your desired consistency. It’s useful if you have spices that require very different grinding times or methods. However, this method can lead to unnecessary cleanup and might result in less flavor mingling.

    C). Put all spices together in the mortar, even those already in powder form, and grind it all together.
    – This can be a quick method, but it may not yield the best results. The pre-ground spices might not grind down further as easily as the whole spices, and you could end up with an uneven mixture. Plus, some of the flavors might not be fully released when mixing them all together.

    Overall Recommendation:
    Option A is generally the most efficient and effective method. It allows you to ensure each whole spice is properly ground while preventing any pre-ground spices from being over-processed. Happy grinding!

Leave a Reply