Discover the ideal grinding companion for your Australian kitchen. From traditional granite to elegant marble, we've curated the best options for every cooking style.
Hand-picked selection of the best mortar and pestle sets available in Australia
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Everything you need to know before making your purchase
The most popular choice for serious cooks. Granite's rough texture is excellent for grinding spices, making pastes, and crushing garlic. Heavy and durable, it will last generations.
Beautiful and elegant, marble mortars are ideal for lighter grinding tasks. The smooth surface is perfect for making aioli, pesto, and crushing pills or supplements.
Traditional and gentle, wooden mortars are perfect for soft herbs and light grinding. Common in Japanese (suribachi) and Southeast Asian cuisines.
Modern and versatile, ceramic mortars often feature ridged interiors for efficient grinding. Easy to clean and won't absorb flavours between uses.
The traditional Mexican choice, made from volcanic basalt. The porous surface creates incredible texture for salsas and guacamole, while adding mineral complexity.
Choose your size based on typical batch sizes and kitchen space. Small (10-14cm) for spices, medium (14-18cm) for everyday use, large (18cm+) for pastes and family cooking.
Welcome to Australia's most comprehensive resource for mortar and pestle enthusiasts. Whether you're a professional chef in Melbourne, a home cook in Sydney, or a food lover in Brisbane, finding the right mortar and pestle can transform your culinary experience. Our guide covers everything from traditional granite Thai-style mortars to elegant marble sets perfect for Mediterranean cooking.
In 2026, the mortar and pestle remains an indispensable kitchen tool that no food processor can truly replace. The ancient technique of hand-grinding releases essential oils from spices in a way that blade grinding simply cannot match. Australian home cooks are rediscovering this time-honoured tool for making fresh curry pastes, grinding native Australian peppers like mountain pepper and pepperberries, crushing wattleseed, and preparing traditional recipes from our multicultural communities.
The Australian market offers a diverse range of mortar and pestle options. Granite mortar and pestle sets are the most popular choice, prized for their durability and excellent grinding capability. Thai granite mortars, known as 'krok' in Thailand, are especially popular among Australian cooks who love Southeast Asian cuisine. Marble mortar and pestle sets offer an elegant option perfect for making pesto, aioli, and lighter grinding tasks. For those interested in Mexican cuisine, molcajetes made from volcanic stone create authentic salsas and guacamole with unmatched texture.
Size matters when selecting a mortar and pestle. Small mortars (under 14cm diameter) are perfect for grinding small quantities of spices or crushing garlic. Medium-sized mortars (14-18cm) offer the best versatility for everyday Australian cooking. Large mortars (over 18cm) are essential for making curry pastes, batch cooking, or preparing food for larger families. Consider your typical cooking needs and available storage space when making your selection.
Proper care ensures your mortar and pestle lasts for generations. New granite and volcanic stone mortars require seasoning before first use – grind rice until the powder runs clean to remove any stone particles. Clean your mortar with warm water and a brush; avoid soap as porous materials can absorb it. Allow to air dry completely before storing. Marble and ceramic mortars are easier to maintain and can be washed with mild soap.
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Our team researches and compares mortar and pestle products available to Australian consumers. We consider factors including material quality, grinding efficiency, weight and stability, ease of cleaning, value for money, and customer reviews. Our interactive quiz helps match you with the perfect mortar and pestle based on your cooking style, preferred cuisines, and budget. Use our comparison tool to evaluate products side-by-side before making your purchase decision.