A pestle is a heavy and typically rounded tool used to crush, grind, or mix substances, most commonly in conjunction with a mortar. This utensil is essential in both professional and home kitchens for preparing spices, herbs, and other ingredients to release their flavors and aromas. Pestles can be made from various materials, including stone, wood, ceramic, and metal, and their design may vary based on cultural and culinary traditions. The action of using a pestle is known as 'pounding' or 'grinding.'
Pestle meaning with examples
- In traditional Indian cooking, a stone pestle is used to grind spices like cumin and coriander to prepare flavorful masalas that are essential for curries and other dishes.
- During the preparation of guacamole, a wooden pestle helps to mash ripe avocados effectively, blending them with lime juice, onions, and tomatoes for a delicious dip.
- In pharmaceuticals, a glass pestle is often used in conjunction with a mortar to grind pills or herbs into fine powders for easier consumption and more effective medicinal use.
- In the preparation of homemade pesto, a marble pestle is used to pound together fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil, creating a fragrant and vibrant sauce.
- To make homemade almond flour, a sturdy metal pestle can be used to finely grind blanched almonds in a mortar, achieving a powdery consistency perfect for baking.
Pestle Synonyms
beater blender brayer chopper crush crusher cutter food processor grinder macerator mash masher mincer mortar and pestle pound pounder processor pulverizer whiskPestle Antonyms
amass assemble build bulk clump collect combine conserve creatively enhance fix fuse gather increase join multiply preserve retain unchanged unite wholePestle Crossword Answers
5 Letters
STAMP
6 Letters
MULLER
7 Letters
GRINDER POUNDER