Pestles

A pestle is a heavy, blunt tool used with a mortar to grind, crush, and mix substances. It is a common implement in culinary, pharmaceutical, laboratory, and traditional medicine contexts. In kitchens, pestles are paired with mortars to pulverize spices, herbs, seeds, garlic, and other ingredients, enabling the release of flavors and oils and the formation of pastes or powders.

Pestles are made in a variety of materials, with granite and other hard stones being typical for kitchen use due to durability and weight. Ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal (such as stainless steel or brass), and wood are also used. Stone pestles tend to be the most durable for tough grinding, while wooden pestles are lighter and may absorb flavors, and metal pestles are durable but can be noisier or harder to clean. The working end is usually rounded or conical to facilitate efficient grinding inside a mortar.

In addition to culinary applications, pestles are employed in laboratories and apothecaries to pulverize chemicals, reagents, or plant materials for analysis or preparation of formulations. The technique involves pressing, twisting, and rolling the pestle against the mortar surface to break down material to the desired particle size.

Care and maintenance vary by material. Stone pestles are typically washed with warm, soapy water and dried promptly; wooden pestles require careful drying and occasional conditioning to prevent splitting; metal pestles should be dried to prevent corrosion. Proper cleaning helps prevent cross-contamination between substances.