This Mortar and Pestle's deep bowl, which is about 4.5 inches in diameter, will contain all of your spices as you're cracking or grinding, for fewer crumbs and bits on your kitchen counter. The pestle is 7 inches long and tapered to allow for comfort and control—a firm grip on the pestle makes grinding easier on your hand, and you won't have to worry about scraping it against the edges of the bowl. And, since the mortar is solid all the way through to its base, it provides a stable foundation for grinding spices finely or crushing herbs to release their aromas, as with our Italian-style Spicy Garlic and Herb Oil. This version, carved from unpolished granite, has a generous 2-cup capacity, which means you can make larger quantities of pesto or chimichurri at a time than with other brands.

When you're freshly grinding whole spices, a standard-sized mortar and pestle will do the trick and produce flavorful, aromatic results. But for making fresh salsa, guacamole and the like, a bigger model is more efficient. Enter this extra large mortar and pestle with an impressive 5-cup capacity: Carved from unpolished granite, the set is naturally durable and perfectly textured for efficient grinding, whether you're turning fibrous ginger root into paste or breaking down the tough skins of rehydrated chili peppers. The mortar's deep bowl (with an 8-inch diameter) makes it ideal for preparing wet fresh ingredients such as curry pastes, chutneys or chimichurri, as they're less likely to splash onto your countertops. And we love the accompanying pestles, which have generous lengths of 8.5 inches and 6.5 inches; they're easy to grip and have a tapered shape that allows for better grip and control.

• Net Weight: 18 pounds
• Mortar Diameter: 8 inches
• Pestle Length: 8.5-inch and 6.5-inch pestles
• Capacity: 5 cups
• Material: Unpolished granite
• Care: Hand-wash only

This mortar and pestle set from German company Zassenhaus is durable, efficient and easy to use, with ergonomic handles and convenient pour spouts for less mess. The nearly indestructible cast iron is ideal for grinding foods, as its coarse surface creates more friction to release aromatic compounds from spices and herbs and achieve a finer texture. And because the mortar is made from a single piece of metal, it can be cleaned more easily and thoroughly than stone models. We also like that it's lightweight and more practical for daily use than cumbersome granite. And because it's thinner, both the sides and edge of the mortar are easier to grip while in use, for quicker, more effective grinding.

This mortar and pestle set from German company Zassenhaus is durable, efficient and easy to use, with ergonomic handles and convenient pour spouts for less mess. Because the mortar is made from a single piece of metal, it can be cleaned more easily and thoroughly than stone models. We also like that it's lightweight and more practical for daily use than cumbersome granite. And because it's thinner, both the sides and edge of the mortar are easier to grip while in use, for quicker, more effective grinding. Its accompanying pestle is 7.5 inches long and tapered to allow for comfort and control—a firm grip on the pestle makes grinding easier on your hand, and you won't have to worry about banging your knuckles against the edges of the bowl.