Herb grinders are primarily used by people who like to cook gourmet foods, but can also be used for tobacco products. Finding the grinder that not only suits your needs but that feels comfortable to use can lead you through hundreds of products. Spices are ground to expose more of the surface to the air, intensifying the scent and flavor. For dishes that require a mild taste, they are not ground as finely. For highly flavorful food, the spices are usually ground very fine.

Spices release flavor when soaked in water or oil, or when added to food. Since they can take time to add their unique flavors to the dish, they are usually added to food when preparing it for cooking or early in the cooking stage. Highly spiced exotic foods require that the spices are cooked in a dry pan, over high heat, before adding the the ingredients.

To keep herbs and spices longer, store them before grinding. Herbs that are fresh can be stored in a cool place or in water to keep them full bodied. Dried spices stored whole will stay fresh for up to two years. If they are ground, they lose significant shelf life and are only fresh for about six months. Protect them from heat and light sources to retain their freshness.

Alchemists and magicians used mortars and pestles to grind the ingredients for potions much the same way chefs use them today. Using a mortar and pestle takes a great deal of time and energy to grind the herbs and spices finely.

They are made from many different materials, although they have been traditionally made with stone or wood. One of the main requirements for a material is that it is heavy and resistant to abrasion because of the grinding motion. Other types of grinders for herbs and spices is a micro plane or a kitchen grater. Sharp metal teeth rub against the spices to form a fine powder. Sometimes fruits and vegetables are used for ingredients. Kitchen graters and micro planes are used to scrape the skins of lemons and oranges to add zest to food. Coffee grinders can be used for spices, but the taste of the coffee and spices may mingle, polluting the desired flavoring.

A very simple herb grinder is manufactured from anodized aluminum and looks like a short tin can when closed. It opens to reveal sharp teeth. The spices and herbs are placed inside and the top replaced. Twisting the unit shreds the contents. For a finer grind, simply grind longer. People who make their own smoking tobacco use herb grinders to create thin slices of tobacco leaves. By grinding a longer period of time, snuff is created.

This same type of grinder can have variations, including two, three or four compartments, with screens separating them. The screen sifts the contents, letting particles like pollen fall through and keeping larger plant pieces stay on top of the screen.

More recent developments include hand held electric grinders. They are capable of grinding small amounts of herbs and spices. They require no physical motion. Grinding mills have receptacles that hold the whole spices. When freshly ground spices are needed, the unit is twisted, forcing the spices through teeth. Often mills have a dial to select the size of the final product.

Still using very basic mechanics, herb grinders have not evolved much over the centuries. There are few differences except in the materials used, and of course, in the electric grinders.

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Category: Food and Drinks
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