Emile Henry
Emile Henry Mortar and Pestle
Best ceramic mortar for home cooks seeking effortless, durable spice grinding.
Elevate your culinary creations with the Emile Henry Mortar and Pestle, handcrafted in France since 1850. Its unglazed interior, made from high-quality Burgundy clay, ensures efficient grinding for spices, herbs, pastes, and dips. The ergonomic pestle, featuring a comfortable beech wood handle and ceramic head, makes preparation effortless. This durable set is resistant to shocks and temperature changes, offering long-lasting performance. Dishwasher safe for easy cleanup and backed by a 10-year guarantee, it's a beautiful and practical addition to any kitchen.
$71.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
355
/ 852
#355 in Mortars & Pestles
Price vs Category Average
+42%
Above average
Material
Ceramic and Beech wood
/ Ceramic and Beech wood
Who it's for
- Home cooks grinding dry spices and herbs into fine powders
- Busy cooks prioritizing quick cleanup and odor-free kitchen tools
- Design-conscious chefs wanting durable, elegant countertop kitchenware
Who should skip it
- Chefs performing heavy-duty pounding requiring a stable, weighted base
- Culinary enthusiasts needing to create smooth, emulsified wet pastes
- Budget-minded shoppers looking for affordable kitchen essentials
Performance breakdown
Grinding Efficiency
Unglazed Burgundy clay provides the ideal friction for rapid spice pulverization.
Ergonomic Comfort
The beech wood handle reduces hand fatigue during extended mashing sessions.
Build Durability
High-fired ceramic construction resists thermal shock and heavy daily impact.
Cleaning Convenience
Dishwasher-safe design simplifies cleanup after working with oily herbs or pastes.
Material Non-porosity
Resists lingering odors and stains from pungent ingredients like garlic.
Capacity Utility
The 2.5-cup volume is perfectly sized for standard kitchen prep tasks.
Key Specs
Material
Ceramic and Beech wood
Color
Flame Blue
Dimensions
5.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches (LxWxH)
Weight
1.28 Pounds
Capacity
2.5 cups
Inner Surface Texture
Unpolished
Model Number
970255
Dishwasher Safe
Yes
Features
- Unglazed interior for superior grinding
- Durable ceramic and beech wood construction
- Resistant to shocks and temperature changes
- Ergonomic pestle design for comfort
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
- Handcrafted in France since 1850
- Odor and stain resistant
- 10-year guarantee against defects
What customers say
Customers highly praise the Emile Henry Mortar and Pestle for its superior quality and excellent functionality. Reviewers consistently note the robust ceramic construction offers impressive durability and necessary stability during vigorous grinding. A key benefit is the nonporous material, which ensures easy cleaning and prevents flavor absorption, making it ideal for diverse ingredients. Users find it highly effective for creating smooth pastes and grinding spices, crediting the well-designed pestle and optimal interior texture. Beyond performance, the elegant design is admired. Despite a premium price, the consensus is that its longevity and consistent high performance deliver excellent value, establishing it as a reliable kitchen essential.
Know before you buy
The unglazed Burgundy clay interior provides a slightly abrasive surface that creates the necessary friction to grind spices, herbs, and pastes efficiently. A smooth, glazed surface would be too slippery to break down ingredients effectively.
While the ceramic mortar is dishwasher safe, the pestle features a beech wood handle. To preserve the integrity of the wood, we recommend hand-washing the pestle and drying it thoroughly after use.
No, the high-quality ceramic material is naturally resistant to odors and stains. Even after grinding pungent ingredients, it will not retain flavors, ensuring your next batch of pesto or spices remains untainted.
Yes, the mortar is designed with a solid, durable ceramic construction that provides enough weight to remain stable on your countertop during vigorous grinding tasks.
This model has a capacity of 2.5 cups, which is ideal for preparing standard batches of guacamole, pesto, or spice rubs for home cooking.
The 10-year guarantee covers manufacturing defects under normal household use. It does not cover accidental damage, such as dropping the mortar or pestle on a hard floor.
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$72