Most people know what an herb is, yet many have not heard of an herb grinder. It is an essential kitchen tool especially for those who grow and dry their own herbs. An herb grinder is a handy little tool that does pretty much what you would think it does. It grinds those leafy herbs down into more refined and evenly ground bits. Essentially you end up with an herb that everyone is familiar with when they purchase those bottles of spices at the store.
An herb grinder is a small and cylindrical shaped kitchen utensil that can be made of either metal or plastic and usually comes in two parts. It consists of sharp teeth in the top chamber that go in either direction so that when the grinder is twisted and turned the teeth shred the herbs. The ground herbs then fall through small holes between the two chambers into the lower chamber. Some grinders also have a third and fourth part that consists of a screen for catching fine particles.
Types of Grinders
Herb grinders can come in various types and styles. There are acrylic, wood, and metal grinders. There are also two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece grinders. There are even electric grinders. Electric grinders are perfect for those who tire of manually grinding their herbs. The two-piece grinder is straightforward and the most commonly used. Three-piece and four-piece grinders are used to separate finer herb particles during the grinding process.
The Purpose of an Herb Grinder
Having an herb grinder in the kitchen is almost a must for those who have an herb garden. Once herbs are dried and need to be stored, they need to be ground for easier storage and use. Grinders simplify and speed up the process. Ground herbs take up a lot less space in the kitchen than whole leaves. Basil, oregano, sage, cilantro, rosemary, parsley, and chives are just a few of the many herbs that can be dried and ground. Combinations of herbs can even be blended into spice jars for use in meal prep. A lot of people also use their herb grinders to grind Marijuana, for this purpose you should take a look at a custom herb grinder.
How to Use an Herb Grinder
Grinding herbs is relatively simple. Remove the lid of the grinder and place the dried herb leaves into the top chamber. Hold the bottom of the grinder with one hand and then twist the lid portion of the grinder with the other hand.
The first tip when using an herb grinder is not overfilling it with herbs. Overfilling it may seem tempting simply to get the job done faster, but this will actually leave you with a mess of uneven and poorly ground herbs. If you desire a more finely ground herb, then turn the grinder upside down while grinding. This technique will result in a finer ground.
Make sure to grind the herbs thoroughly. The easiest way to determine this is feeling for the change in twisting motion. When you first add the herbs, the twisting will have some resistance. The more ground up the herbs become the easier the twisting motion will become.
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