Great mortar and pestle

[Anonymous]

I need a really good, old-style (stone, wide base) mortar and pestle. Any recommendations where I can get one?

A related question: my understanding is that grinding w/ mortar and pestle can bring out flavors/ oils that you can't bring out as effectively with a spice grinder or blender/food processor. True? Any ideas on this? Yes, grinding is more work but I'm wondering if there is something to the traditional way of doing it that's lost with electrical grinders.

[Anonymous]

Sur la Table

[Anonymous]

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/How-To-Select-Cooking-Tools-647/mortar-and-pestle.aspx

[Anonymous]

I have a granite mortar and pestle I bought at H Mart ages ago. There is a similar product available on Amazon. I have the large size, paid $20.
It is said that the mortar and pestle bring out better flavors, but I prefer the ease of a food processor for making curry pastes. The mortar and pestle are mainly used to pound ingredients for green papaya salad, crush ginger and garlic or sometimes powder spices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I need a really good, old-style (stone, wide base) mortar and pestle. Any recommendations where I can get one?

A related question: my understanding is that grinding w/ mortar and pestle can bring out flavors/ oils that you can't bring out as effectively with a spice grinder or blender/food processor. True? Any ideas on this? Yes, grinding is more work but I'm wondering if there is something to the traditional way of doing it that's lost with electrical grinders.

No, I don't think mortar and pestle bring out flavors/oils better than other options.
I do think there are a handful of dishes where it produces a better texture than a grinder. They an also be quicker to clean.

[Anonymous]

World Market has some though they are not very big. I just bought one because the guac recipe I like calls for making a paste from the onion and salt.

[Anonymous]

OP here. thanks for the suggestions!