Mortar and pestle

Guinea Photo 15

Stone Age Stone Mortar & Pestle, Kebaran culture, 22000-18000 BP

Raqefet Cave rock mortars

Bilibin. Baba Yaga

PharmacistsMortar

A traditional mortar

== Mortar and Pestle ==

A mortar and pestle is a device used since ancient times to prepare ingredients or substances by crushing and grinding them into a fine paste or powder. The mortar is a bowl, typically made of hard wood, ceramic, or stone. The pestle is a heavy and blunt club-shaped object, the end of which is used for crushing and grinding.

History

The use of mortars and pestles dates back to the Stone Age. They have been used in various cultures and civilizations, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Mortars and pestles were traditionally used in pharmacies to crush various ingredients prior to preparing an extemporaneous prescription.

Materials

Mortars and pestles are made from a variety of materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:

• Wood: Lightweight and less likely to cause damage to the surface being ground, but can absorb flavors and odors.
• Ceramic: Non-porous and easy to clean, but can be fragile.
• Stone: Durable and heavy, providing a stable base for grinding, but can be difficult to clean.

Uses

Mortars and pestles are used in various fields:

• Culinary: To grind spices, herbs, and other ingredients for cooking.
• Pharmaceutical: To prepare medications by grinding and mixing compounds.
• Chemical laboratories: To grind chemicals to a fine powder for experiments.

Techniques

The technique for using a mortar and pestle involves placing the substance to be ground in the mortar and then using the pestle to apply pressure and motion to crush and grind the substance. The motion can be circular, pounding, or a combination of both.

Related Pages

• Pharmacy
• Spice
• Herb
• Ancient Egypt
• Ancient Greece
• Ancient Rome