East Fork’s Popular Mortar and Pestle Set Is Finally Back In Stock — Get It Before It’s Gone
When it comes to tableware, there’s no doubt East Fork has our hearts. As an editor-and-reader favorite brand, their artisan mugs are our go-to for our morning coffee, and their gorgeous plates adorn many of our dinner tables. So, as you may know, their products are not only beautiful, but they’re also well-crafted and built to last. For this reason, their new style and color launches get a lot of buzz, but there’s an underrated piece from the brand that deserves the same attention. That brings us to their Japanese Mortar and Pestle. It’s been out of stock for some time now, but it’s finally back! This means that freshly ground spices (think dry rubs), aromatic marinades (like gingery garlic-y shrimp), and herby pastes (say hello to the best homemade pesto and curries ever), await. Act fast, though, because who knows how long this kitchen tool will be here this time around.
A mortar and pestle isn’t always thought of as an essential kitchen tool, but we’d argue that it should be (especially this one). Hand crafted in Japan with traditional clay by the MUJUN design and craft collective, this simple-to-use tool will take your home cooking to the next level. The mortar, or the bowl, is super sturdy thanks to the silicone base that prevents slipping, while the pestle is made from unfinished wood, which is the typical material for this type of grinder. Unlike a marble, ceramic, or wooden mortar with a smooth finish, the spices latch onto the interior grooves in this one, so it crushes more efficiently while preventing the contents from flying out. We also love the sloped, deep walls in East Fork’s design, which provides extra security so that the spices, nuts, herbs, aromatics, or whatever you’re pounding, stay in the bowl.
You can use this mortar and pestle to muddle herbs, anchovies, chili flakes, and garlic into a paste or cilantro, chili peppers, ginger, and lemongrass for the base of curry from scratch. And, if you use it to coarsely grind black peppercorns for Cacio e Pepe, it might just turn out to be the best pasta you’ve ever made. It also does a splendid job of quickly crushing nuts for topping salads, which are always a pain to chop on a cutting board (where bits and pieces end up on the floor). And unlike electric spice grinders, you can crush with more control, keeping your mixture more chunky or smooth, or somewhere in the middle — whatever you prefer can be achieved!
There’s no denying the difference in flavor between a freshly ground spice and a pre-packaged powdered version, and once you get your hands on East Fork’s Japanese Mortar and Pestle, you’ll taste exactly what we’re talking about. Plus, there’s nothing like putting in a little elbow grease to take a meal to the next level.
Buy: East Fork Japanese Mortar and Pestle, $44