Rustic Mortar and Pestle Set

The Rustic Mortar and Pestle Set is the result of thinking seriously about what makes a mortar and pestle genuinely good at its job and then making that thing beautifully. The mortar is wide — 16cm across — and deep — 8cm — with a slightly rough interior surface that provides the friction necessary for effective grinding without being so rough that it stains permanently or is difficult to clean. The pestle is heavy and well-balanced, with a broad grinding head that covers a large area of the mortar bowl with each stroke and a comfortable, ergonomic handle that is easy to grip during sustained grinding.

The ceramic used is a high-fired, vitrified stoneware — dense, hard, and non-porous, so that it cannot absorb the volatile oils and flavours of spices and herbs into its body. This non-porosity is essential for a mortar and pestle that will be used for a range of ingredients: a porous mortar will carry the flavour of garlic into your dessert spices and the colour of turmeric into your salt. This mortar, being fully vitrified, wipes clean between uses without retaining flavour or colour.

The exterior surface of the mortar is textured with a pattern of shallow diagonal hatching that provides grip when holding the mortar steady during use, and gives the exterior a visual interest that distinguishes it from a purely utilitarian object. The glaze is a warm, natural stone colour — sandy beige with warm brown undertones — that ages gracefully with use and becomes more beautiful over time as the patina of cooking accumulates.

Both pieces are dishwasher-safe, though hand washing is recommended to preserve the character of the surface. The set is heavy enough to stay stable during vigorous use on a kitchen counter and has a non-slip silicone ring on the base of the mortar (removable for cleaning).