What Spices Can You Put In A Pepper Grinder? -

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What Spices Can You Put In A Pepper Grinder? Pepper grinders are an important culinary tool, they are used to mill peppercorns which are used to spice up food while cooking.

Most chefs prefer freshly cracked pepper because it brings a different taste to the food than the already processed ones. A pepper grinder can be used to mill a variety of spices, like Cumin, Poppy Seeds including dried herbs.

Here are some of the few spices which can be milled in a pepper grinder for quick use in the kitchen

Allspice

This is a type of spice that is popular in Jamaica, it is a berry that is harvested and dried to use as a cooking ingredient.

It has a nut and mushroom-like shape. It is called allspice because it is reminiscent of a bunch of spice mixes like gloves, cinnamon, etc. It is also known as “Pimento”, it is super accessible and can be used to cook most cuisines.

Since it’s small enough to fit in a pepper grinder and can also hold its shape, you can mill it in a pepper grinder.

Cumin

This is a seed from a particular plant that can be found in the Mediterranean and East Asia, the shape is eerily similar to rice as well as its size, which is no surprise because it’s a member of the parsley family.

It is typically used in super spicy cuisines that favours a lot of pepper, it can be used as a spice rub when grilling.

If you want to put this in your pepper grinder, the best way to elevate the flavour would be to first toast in a dry pan slightly to give it some colour before using.

Parsley

This is more of a herb, it can be tricky to work into a pepper grinder in its fresh form, therefore the best way to use parsley in a pepper grinder would be to completely dry it first. In its dried form, it can hold its shape better, so it comes out of the pepper grinder easier.

Peppercorns

This is the most common spice which is milled in a pepper grinder. It can be found in most kitchens because it makes food super delicious, it has a unique taste that is different from plain regular chilli peppers.

Before you mill peppercorns it is essential to toast it in order to give the spice another dimension, and also expel any moisture content that may still be in it.

Poppy Seeds

This is a spice that is gotten from the poppy flower, and although there are controversies that it can be used as a narcotic, there is no denying that it has a lot of health benefits and most importantly it is super delicious when added to food. The small grain-like size makes it ideal to be milled in a pepper grinder.

Cloves

This is the dried flower petal of a plant that can be found on most tropical islands, it is used in several ways including being added to cocktails.

Although it isn’t typically used alone as a spice, it can be paired with peppercorns, therefore, if you’ve got some cloves and peppercorns, you can throw them together in a pepper grinder and they’ll function as a unit.

Coriander seeds

This is gotten from the Coriander plant, it is one of the oldest spices in existence, it has been used since humans first learned to start cooking with fire.

It has numerous health benefits and also goes well in many cuisines. It is small and round, and used dried, which makes it ideal to be milled in a pepper grinder.

Crystal sugar

The typical granulated sugar which can be found in diners and pastry shops can be milled in a pepper grinder.

Although it is typically paired with other spices like cloves and peppercorns to make a dry rub for grilling. When put in a pepper grinder, it comes out pretty easily and should not pose a clogging problem.

Salt

We all know what salt is, no savoury cuisine would be complete without the addition of salt. The crystalline nature of salt makes it ideal to mill in a pepper grinder.

If you need to mix it with other spices, be my guest. Do your experiment with the mixes, you may end up creating your own unique recipes before you know it.

Sichuan pepper

This is similar to peppercorns but a lot spicier, it is typically used in making curry and chillies. All you gotta do is replicate what you do with regular peppercorns, by first toasting it in a pan and then popping it in your pepper grinder to be used while cooking.

Oregano leaves

This is a type of spice that can be used while fresh and also dry. However, if you want to mill it in a pepper grinder then it’s best to use the dried ones.

It can get crushed easily and come out of the opening without getting clogged. This can also be mixed with other spices to make a spice blend.

Saffron

This is a super rare spice, it is red in colour, it is highly coveted in the culinary world. Food that contains this spice is usually pretty expensive, it isn’t used in reckless abandonment. If you happen to have some of this, you can mill it for cooking in a pepper grinder.

Anise

This spice has a wide range of uses and benefits, it can be made into a tea and can also be grounded into a spice mix.

It has a “star” shape and it is small enough to fit into a pepper grinder. Since it is also used when dried it can break apart easily and come out in powdered consistency. Highly recommend you try it out for its numerous benefits.

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FAQS

Can you put nutmeg in a pepper grinder?

Nutmeg is too large to fit into a pepper grinder, however, if you absolutely want to mill it, you can always use a spice grinder to get the job done, if you don’t own one of those, a food processor or blender will get you the same results.

Remember to process when it’s completely dried in order to get the right consistency and desired taste.

What can I use instead of a spice grinder?

If you don’t own a spice grinder, you can use a coffee grinder to grind spices, you can also use a hand mill, blender or food processor to get the job done.

Also, depending on the size of the spice you want to grind, you can also use a pepper grinder. Outlined above are several spices you can mill using a pepper grinder.

What is the most expensive spice in the world?

The most expensive spice in the world is Saffron, it is super expensive because it takes about 70,000 flowers to make a pound of Saffron spice which is A LOT.

1g of Saffron goes for as much as $200-$500, those figures and statistics makes it well sought after and super rare. It also makes a food super delicious by the way, if you have the opportunity to try some, do not hesitate.

Should I wash my pepper grinder?

Depending on the type of pepper grinder you own, if it’s the stainless steel kind, then you can wash it whenever you feel like it’s dirty.

However, for wooden pepper grinders, using water to clean them will make the wood gradually begin to break, also fungi would start to develop on the surface. Use Cuisinart SG-10 Spice and Nut Grinder for grinding your spices.

Manual tools to use

Mortar and Pestle- this is probably the most labour-intensive option because you have to keep pounding the spice in the mortar using the pestle until it completely breaks down and becomes smooth. The results, however, are totally worth it in most cases, when making pesto, some recipes require you to use a mortar and pestle. Apparently, it changes the taste. ChefSofi Mortar and Pestle Set would be a great fit.
Hand Mill— This is used to grind grains, where you put the intended product in the feed tube above and spin the gear continually until the grounded end product comes out the front into a pan that you’ve set you collect it. It is easy to use and does not require any form of special training, although it is not ideal for small spices such as sesame seeds and mustard, it would pass through.