The Best Wood Mortar and Pestle Set [2021]

Whether you are getting ready to conjure up a fantastic dish or prepare your favorite tea, herbs are a serious matter. Finding the best wood mortar and pestle set is the first step to making sure you get the best results for your effort.

There is nothing I enjoy more than the experience of crushing dried herbs in the bowl while breathing in their fragrance and feeling the satisfaction from doing it myself.

If you have a family member who is a budding chef or herb fanatic, a wooden mortar and pestle is an amazing gift that’s much more unique than an electronic device or gift card.

Not to mention that it also creates an opportunity to spend some quality time together.

“Making my own custom tea with my daughter was as much fun as drinking it!”

-Anonymous

Beautiful and Functional Wood Mortar and Pestles: The Best 2 Options

When researching the best wood mortar and pestle set to use with your herbs, you’ll find that you have tons of great options to choose from. It’s highly recommended that you opt for one the most durable and functional mortar and pestles for chefs and gardeners on the market. 

However, before you make your final choice, check out the pros and cons of these two products and see if one of them will meet your needs.

1. Naturally Med Olive Wood Rustic Mortar and Pestle

This beautiful and easy-to-use Naturally Med Olive Wood Rustic Mortar and Pestle is a functional tool for your workspace while adding a rustic mediterranean aesthetic.

This particular mortar and pestle is made from natural olive wood. I will always choose hardwood over a softwood not only for its durability but also for providing a hard surface for grinding down dried herbs, nuts, berries, salts or seeds. 

Since this mortar and pestle has been carved from a naturally occurring wood there could be slight variations in size and capacity.

Pros

✅ Great quality for an affordable price

✅ Made from hard olive wood

✅ Holds a workable amount of herbs 

✅ Low maintenance

✅ It is beautifully rustic

Above all, this mortar and pestle is a highly rated option for chefs, gardeners, herb lovers or anyone who enjoys the tactile experience of preparing their own ingredients. This is the option that I chose for my work space so I know that you’ll be happy with the product as well.

Cons

❌ It is rustic and subject to the wear and tear of real wood

❌ Each set will be slightly unique and no two will be identical

❌ Hand wash only

As this is considered to be one the best wooden mortar and pestles out there, you can be confident in the quality of this item. Customers have very few issues with the Naturally Med Olive Wood Rustic Mortar and Pestle.

While most customers used this mortar and pestle set without any problems, a handful of reviews said that the top edge of the bowl was rough and jagged. The issue was easily countered by rubbing the top edge lightly with sand paper and then applying a food grade mineral oil. It was worth the extra effort for such a beautiful set.

Specs

Before you start using the Naturally Med Olive Wood Rustic Mortar and Pestle you may want to know that the diameter of the inside of the bowl is approximately 3.5 x 3.5 inches and it will hold roughly a cup of dried herbs.

The set weighs 15.8 ounces and the dimensions are 4.75 x 4.74 x 4 inches.

The only maintenance needed for this mortar and pestle is an occasional wipe down with olive oil to keep the wood from drying out and to bring out the rich tones of the wood grain.

Buy Here

Check prices for the Naturally Med Olive Wood Rustic Mortar and Pestle by clicking here on Amazon.

Know Before you Buy

Before you buy this mortar and pestle, there are some things that you should know about this set and how it is used.

🤔 This mortar and pestle is good for all ages.

🤔 You will be able to easily breakdown, pulverize and powder dried herb, spices and salts. Harder nuts and seeds will take more effort.

🤔 The set includes two pieces, the bowl and the pestle.

🤔 Sturdy materials – customers are pleasantly surprised with the quality of the materials and the durability of the product

2. BeldiNest Olive Wood Flat Top Mortar and Pestle | Garlic Smasher Molcajete

The BeldiNest Olive Wood Flat Top Mortar and Pestle | Garlic Smasher Molcajete is another great option when purchasing a wood mortar and pestle. This product has a smoother finish and is less rustic than the first option but still made of hard olive wood.

Olive wood has long been used to make beautiful and durable kitchen utensils. Here’s what you’ll want to know before purchasing the BeldiNest Olive Wood Flat Top Mortar and Pestle:

Pros

✅ Affordable price

✅ Made from a single piece of olive wood

✅ It is hand carved

✅ Can be used for a variety of purposes including smashing garlic

✅ Deep and narrow so things won’t fly out

This mortar and pestle set is very highly rated and would be a great addition to your kitchen or pantry.

I can confidently say that this mortar and pestle is a great product and a close second to the Naturally Med Olive Wood Rustic Mortar and Pestle. This would be a perfect gift for cooking enthusiasts and gardeners.

Cons

❌ Must be hand washed

Most of the reviews rated this product as a beautiful and sturdy set. Be sure to follow the washing and care instructions exactly and seek help online if you run into trouble.

❌ Not extra large capacity

Given the hand held size, it would be easier to process small amounts of herbs to use or store as opposed to overloading the bowl and trying to crush too many herbs at once. Customers recommend storing this set in a prominent place since it is so beautiful.

Specs

This set weighs 1 pound and the dimensions are 6 x 5.75 x 5 inches.

The product includes two pieces, a mortar and a pestle.

Buy Here

Check prices for the BeldiNest Olive Wood Flat Top Mortar and Pestle | Garlic Smasher Molcajete by clicking here on Amazon

Question #1

A mortar and pestle will give you the ability to crush and grind dried herbs, salts, nuts and seeds.

If you are wanting to try herbs outside of your usual repertoire, there are many good books and internet resources that will tell you which herbs are best used when dried and how to use them.

Question #2

This mortar and pestle set has a flat bottom on the exterior to keep it steady on your work surface. It also has a flat bottom on the interior to give you the right ergonomics to grind you r contents without chasing it around the bowl.

When using this set for strong savory aromatic herbs like garlic, it is good to maintain a second set for non savory items like your herbs for teas or desserts.

I do this same thing with my cast iron pans. One for onions and garlic and savory items, and another separate pan for sweets and desserts.

Question #3

Wooden mortar and pestle sets are not usually treated or sealed.

It is good to look for a set that has been carved from a single piece of wood so there are no joints to split or crack.

Question #4

Olive wood is a favored material for kitchen tools used by many culinary enthusiasts.

When maintaining natural olive wood it is important to remember that it should not be put in the dishwasher or submerged in water.

Cleaning out your mortar and pestle with a dry brush or damp cloth, and applying a gentle rub of olive oil is all that is necessary for maintaining your set and bringing out the beautiful grain of the wood.

A Final Note: The Best Wood Mortar and Pestle Sets

Even though there are literally hundreds or more mortars and pestles available online, the two that I reviewed have proven to be the best for chefs, gardeners and herb lovers.

Still not convinced that you’ve found the best mortar and pestle for your work space? Review the pros and cons of the Naturally Med – Olive Wood Rustic Mortar and Pestle – 5.5 inch and the BeldiNest Olive Wood Pestle & Mortar Garlic Smasher Molcajete – Rustic Body below before making a decision.

The Naturally Med – Olive Wood Rustic Mortar and Pestle – 5.5 inch is a bigger option of the first mortar and pestle set that we reviewed. The dimensions of this set is 6.8 x 4.2 x 7.1 inches and weighs 1.6 pounds. It might be a good choice for you if want to process larger amounts of herbs or spices.

The BeldiNest Olive Wood Pestle & Mortar Garlic Smasher Molcajete – Rustic Body like the other sets, is also made of olive wood. (See a trend?!) This set takes the rustic vibe to the extreme, and if that is what you like then this will be a good one for you. On a practical level, this mortar and pestle weighs the most and is a little unwieldy to dump out your finished spices.

Now that you’ve determined which wood mortar and pestle will be best for your situation, you can focus on building your library of dried herbs and spices. Have fun!