All about Pepper Grinders

The perfect spice

A pepper grinder, or pepper mill, is a handy kitchen utensil used to grind whole peppercorns to be used as seasoning in cooking. Pepper grinders are available in a variety of materials such as metal, plastic, or wood, and come in all different shapes and sizes.

They are also operated in a variety of different ways. Some pepper grinders simply have a handle, or hand crank, that is turned to grind the pepper while many feature a round cap affixed to the top of the grinder that is turned for grinding.

Degrees of coarseness

The great thing about pepper grinders is that you can closely dictate how fine or coarse you want your pepper to be. Most pepper grinders feature a device that can be tightened or loosened to produce varying degrees of coarseness. The degree of coarseness is typically identified as a fine, medium, or coarse grind.

Putting it to use

How coarse or fine you like your pepper to be oftentimes depends on the food you are applying it to. For foods such as potato salads, egg dishes, purees, or salad dressings, you typically want to have a fine grind so that the pepper is not noticeable. When preparing foods such as fish, poultry, meats, pastas, or stews, a medium grind is a good way to go. Coarse grinds are generally used for more hearty meats, Caesar salads, marinades, or other dishes where pepper is a garnish for the meal.

Pepper grinders as fixtures

A beautifully crafted, tall wooden pepper grinder can make a truly elegant addition to your collection of culinary tools. Anyone can put a pair of salt and pepper shakers on the dining room table, but a handsome pepper grinder is a great centerpiece for your casual or formal dinning room setting. By now you've probably noticed that many casual and fine dining restaurants showcase quality crafted pepper grinders during meals. When the server comes to your table to offer you fresh, ground pepper for your salad or entree, it's no secret that it is just as much for show as it is for anything else.

Pepper grinder materials

Pepper grinders are available in a number of beautiful wooden finishes such as mahogany, walnut, cherry, and oak. The great thing is that they are not much more expensive than their plastic counterparts. So, depending on your tastes, you have a number of different options when it comes to choosing a pepper grinder for your home.

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