The Incredible Versatility Of An Electric Herb Grinder

By Frank Morgan


There are so many different kitchen gadgets on the market that it can be difficult to choose which ones to buy. The question to ask yourself is whether the gadget in question will really make your life easier and give you your money's worth. One device that truly meets these criteria and will definitely be a great investment is an electric herb grinder.

If you've ever tried to crush herbs or spices by hand, using a mortar and pestle, you'll know how time consuming it can be. An alternative that works with electricity is almost like a small blender that can chop up anything in seconds. It's easy to use and easy to clean, since you only need to wipe it with a cloth or paper towel once you're done. More importantly, though, it's incredibly versatile.

Obviously one use for the appliance is to chop herbs into a finer texture. If you use fresh herbs, it's best to pulse the machine or it will turn the herbs into a paste. Dried herbs are more suited to being ground and you'll use less too. You can even grind herbs such as sage and then use them to roll herbal cigarettes that are a healthier alternative to tobacco.

Buying spices that are already ground may be convenient but can also be wasteful, since spices quickly lose flavor once they're ground. If you buy whole spices instead, you only need to grind a little bit at a time, enough to meet the requirements of your recipe. Your stock of spices will last longer and you won't have to spend hours crushing them by hand.

The trusty little machine is useful for more than just herbs or spices. Incorporate healthy whole grains, legumes and nuts into your diet in ingenious ways by grinding them into flour. Flax seeds become easier to digest when they're crushed and can release their nutrients into your body. Even stale bread, cornflakes or cookies get a second life when you turn them into crumbs for making coatings or pie crusts.

A quality grinder is also a great solution for those days when the store has only the coarse variety of the salt you prefer. If you decide to bake something and don't have time to go and buy powdered sugar, the gadget will turn plain old sugar into something so fine that the most discerning confectioner won't be able to tell the difference. Coffee connoisseurs will also love the fact that they can now have freshly ground beans for a tastier pick-me-up.

A good electric grinder is an essential tool if you'd like to try your hand at making homemade, natural hygiene and beauty products. Add some cloves or dried mint to baking soda and grind it into a fine, tasty tooth powder that will keep your breath fresh and your teeth in good condition. Coffee grounds are great for gently exfoliating dry skin and powdered medicinal herbs such as calendula or lavender flowers are excellent in face masks, ointments or deodorants.

Even if you're not that interested in cooking or making cosmetics, the little appliance can come in handy. Put some dried flower petals in for only a few seconds and you have an evenly textured potpourri. For something even more colorful and festive, use the grinder to turn bits of paper into paper confetti. The possibilities are endless.




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