The mortar and pestle has long been the symbol of the pharmacist.
The mortar and pestle is an efficient, if time-consuming way of grinding food. Because of the effort required, many homes now favor electrical food processors over this manual tool.
History
It is believed that the mortar and pestle was one of the earliest tools used for the preparation of medicines and food, and mentions of the implement can be found in documents dating back to the beginning of written history, according to Michael J. Brody in "Grinding Stone to Art Object: The Mortar and Pestle
from the Renaissance to the Present." The word "mortar" derives from the Latin word for "receptacle for pounding," while "pestle" comes from the Latin word for "pounder."
Function
The mortar and pestle is used to grind or crush solid ingredients, which results in transforming the contents into a "pulp" and extracting their juices. Though this method requires more effort, a mortar and pestle can extract more of the juices and oils than a food processor. They are also easier to clean.
Considerations
Traditionally they are made of cast iron, wood or granite, but nowadays can also be made from porcelain. Rougher materials trap tiny particles allowing them to be crushed, therefore getting more juice, whereas smoother materials allow the ingredients to simply slide around.
