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Can You Grind Spices in A Food Processor?
A food processor is a kitchen appliance that can help you make and prepare various dishes. It’s an appliance and a tool for chopping, blending, slicing, and grinding foods inside the processor.
It uses multiple blades to exchange energy with a portion of food to turn it into small pieces. Most of these food processors include a medium-sized work bowl wherein the ingredients are blended wet or dry.
Yes, You can grind spices in a food processor. The food processor container boasts metal, glass, or plastic material. You can fit it with blades usually located at the bottom of the container. The blades get positioned so that when you push ingredients into the bowl, they touch these blades and chop them up finely.
You can also use an electric coffee grinder; it will work just as well with spices.
You can grind the desired spices in a food processor or coffee grinder and store them in an airtight container. Most spices have intense aromas, so you must ensure they are as fresh as possible.
For instance, if you have some old cinnamon sticks at home, you can put them through a food processor and grind them up to make cinnamon powder. Freshly ground cinnamon is much more fragrant than the kind that has been sitting around for too long.
To grind fresh spices, like basil, coriander, or oregano, wash them and chop them up. Transfer them to the food processor and grind until the desired texture is achieved.
You can also make spice blends in a food processor. You can, for instance, use a food processor to grind whole cumin seeds, dry oregano leaves, and black peppercorns into a fine powder. You will get a blend you can use as a rub on meat before grilling it or in marinade sauce.
What Can I use instead of a spice grinder??
| Item | Explanation |
| Mortar & pestle | You can use a mortar and pestle for grinding spices. This works just as well or sometimes even better than a spice grinder. |
| Food Processor | You can use a food processor for grinding spices if you have one in your kitchen, and most cheaper models don’t have any problems with this job, but it’s not recommended since the blades are easily damaged from frequent grinding. |
| Measuring spoons & cups | You can also use measuring spoons or cups and cups for grinding your herbs or spices. You can use the measuring spoons in the spice grinder and take the ground herbs with you to your cooking. |
| A coffee grinder with a regular-sized screw | You can use a coffee grinder to grind herbs and spices quickly and finely without manually doing it. Just put the ingredients into the coffee grinder and blend until fine. |
| Hand-crank pepper grinder | You can use a hand-crank pepper grinder to grind small amounts of herbs and spices quickly without having to do it manually. Just put the ingredients into the grinder and blend until fine. |
How to Grind Spices in a Food Processor
First, place the ingredient in the food processor bowl fitted with a metal blade. If you use whole mustard seeds or rosemary, chop the ingredient into smaller pieces with a knife first.
If you grind a nut such as hazelnuts or almonds, prepare the ingredients first to ensure they do not splinter during processing.
Next, add the ingredient to the food processor. If the ingredient is too large or heavy, chop or chop it into smaller pieces first.
Turn on your food processor and pulse at medium speed for about two minutes. It can take two to five minutes to grind many ingredients or a large quantity.
Add salt and pepper to the food processor. It makes about 1/2 cup. You may want to make the meal finer if you grind a nut. Add the nut to the food processor and pulse again at medium speed.
This technique works best with smaller food processors. If your food processor is large, use extra caution since it will be heavy when full of ingredients.
Tools That You Need for Grinding Spices
| Item | Features |
| Mortar and Pestle | You can use a Mortar and pestle to crush, grind, and mix spices before use. This is the easiest way of breaking down hard spices and herbs so that they release their natural oils and flavors. |
| Cookware | Use cookware as needed for your food products or candies recipe. You may need a large pan to boil your ingredients, a baking dish for baking your food products or candies, a cooling rack for cooling the cooked products, and much more. |
| A grater | Use grated or pounded spices to add different textures and flavors to your food products or candies. |
| Knife | You can use a knife to chop your spices into smaller pieces or strips so that they are easier to grind in your mortar or make scraping motions on the rough surface of a grater to create a powdery spice mix. |
Do You Need to Toast Spices Before Grinding?
Yes, Toasting spices before grinding them releases aromatic oils into your food, which, in turn, help make the process of cooking or baking easier. However, for best results, toast spices in a dry skillet over low heat for about five minutes, stirring often.
You can also roast them in the oven. Toasting spices releases much more flavor than grinding in a spice grinder.
But if you want to use your spice grinder, it’s not essential to toast spices before using it. However, toasting spices should always follow by grinding them. If you don’t do this, the spices will taste like little dust and dried leaves.
Toasted ground spices (especially cinnamon) tend to absorb moisture from the air and turn into a sticky syrup that clings to every nook & cranny of your food. This is not very nice to look at, nor is it healthy to eat. Hence always grind your spices fresh before you use them.
If you want to use ground spices stored in the refrigerator, then if they have become a little moist, leave the container of spices open for 12-24 hours. This will dry out any moisture that you may trap in the container.
Another option is to remove any moisture from the container by placing a paper towel on top of where you store your spice jar and then closing it tightly with the lid.
If you do not have time to toast your spices, buy pre-toasted ones. This will help you save time when preparing your recipes and still enjoy the benefits of toasted spices.
Can A Food Processor Grind Dry Food?
Yes. This is one of the uses of a food processor. It can grind dry foods like cornmeal, nuts, and spices. It can also grind soybeans, rice, and other soft foods like nuts.
The spinning blades do not chop food into smaller pieces; instead, they mix them, creating a small amount of liquid. You can use this liquid in recipes or soak up with a towel and discard it.
Most food processors make a lot of noise when processing because the blades spin rapidly to create wet mass and high heat. Use lubricant when grinding dry foods.
Oil will prevent the blades from becoming jammed. You can purchase Other grinding machines for those who need to grind hard foods like meats or bones.
How to use:
- Put dry ingredients or the meat in a bowl.
- Add water and mix just before using.
- Store the leftover liquid in a jar.
Frequent cleaning is required; therefore, storing the food processor covered (with a lid) is better to prevent dust and dirt from contaminating it while you are out of the house.
Is A Burr Grinder Better for Spices?
Burr grinders don’t produce ground spices quite as fine as you can get with blade grinders, but they are worth the price difference.
There are a few reasons why this is true. One of them is that burr grinders produce more consistent results than blade grinders, which means you’ll have much less time and effort to prepare your dishes.
Another reason is that there’s typically less heat produced by a burr grinder when compared to a blade grinder, although this can vary depending on your preferences and what type of blade you use in the process. This is generally because burr grinders tend to rotate more slowly.
Thirdly, the burrs of a grinder are designed to cut as closely as possible and produce an excellent flavor. You can easily see this if you taste some different spice grinders from the store, particularly ones with same-sized burrs.
Lastly, eliminating the blade in your grinder means less risk. If you’ve ever cut yourself on a blender or another kitchen gadget, then you know this is true.
The whole point of grinding spices is to make them tastier, and to do that you have to get them into smaller pieces. The more you can do to avoid injury to yourself, the better.
Generally speaking, then, burr grinders are the best way to go. And that’s why I suggest buying a burr grinder for your home.
If you have a restaurant or some other business that requires even finer ground spices for commercial use, you’ll want to stick with blade grinders, as they can create much smaller particles than burrs.
Can You Grind Spices in Nutribullet?
Yes! There are different types of NutriBullet with varying specifications for safety, so it’s essential to ensure you are using the right one for grinding spices such as nutmeg or pepper.
The exclusive Nutribullet range is the only one with a unique blade design that ensures that the blades of the Nutribullet are slightly inclined to increase circulation for juices and oils. Using a flat blade (as with blenders) for grinding spices is impossible.
It also has a low-speed setting which reduces friction during grinding, so even when using your Nutribullet, do not grind at high speed as you may damage your machine.
To ensure your Nutribullet is in good working order, always use the supplied attachments and wash before and after each use. Ensure all parts are greased (not necessary for plastic and metal parts).
To grind spices or anything else, ensure that the blade is at a downward angle. This will enable you to create the optimum shape for grinding. It may help push down the kitchen counter when holding your Nutribullet.
It’s important not to push too hard when grinding, as this may damage the blade and motor. If you need to grind without leaving it unattended, always shut the machine off when not in use.
Sometimes, you may only need a small amount of spice that is too little to fill your blender jar. Try using a plastic tub or container, as this will restrict the size of the spices as they get crushed and can be ground more easily than using a smaller container.
Food Processor vs. Blender for Grinding Spices
| Food Processor vs. Blender for Grinding Spices | ||
| Blender | Food processor | |
| Cost | Blenders are generally cheaper than food processors, costing an average of $25-$50. | Food processors, however, have blades that can handle various tasks and are more versatile. This makes them worth the extra money. |
| Versatility | Food processors are versatile and can handle a variety of tasks, including chopping and blending, which means they’re great for those with a lot of ingredients or who prepare multiple meals on a daily basis. | Blenders, however, are not good for those with a large assortment of ingredients or spices, mainly because you need to add them individually. |
| Recipe | Blenders are better for those who cook infrequently and have time to chop ingredients individually | A food processor is the better option for those who are often in the kitchen and are looking for a one-step cooking process |
| Space | Blenders, on the other hand, tend to take more room and need to be stored away when not in use. This makes them good for those with limited kitchens or who use their kitchen only occasionally. | Food processors can be set up in small areas and require little storage space |
| Timing | If you’re looking for convenience and ease in the kitchen, a blender best suits your needs. Since you can’t touch it, you won’t know how hot the blades are and how powerful your juices are. | A food processor may be the right choice if you like to chop often. |
Is It Better To Grind Spices In A Mortar And Pestle
A mortar and pestle provide more surface area to grind the spices, so you don’t have to use as much effort. Also, if you use a food processor or blender, you will lose some flavors into your spices while grounding in a mortar and pestle.
The difference in how your food tastes will be fairly small, but I feel using a mortar and pestle is worthwhile. The grinder is a slow (relatively) and easy way to grind spices, and it’s cheap.
When you get into more powerful appliances, you can buy a granite mortar and pestle for about 150 dollars. If you grind spices often enough, it will pay for itself in months of saving time by not having to use a blender or mini-processor.
The mortar and pestle are an excellent choice for the average person who is better off with one.
It would be best if you still ground spices in small batches. If you put too much spice into the mortar and pestle, you will not be able to grind it effectively.
It is also good to tap the side of the mortar with your pestle or use some scraping tool (chopstick, spoon) to get all of the spices out of your mortar.
Food Processor Not Grinding Spices
There are reasons why the food processor won’t grind spice:
1. Batter bowl rubs against the blade
When you feed the food processor some ingredients, in particular, small ones with smaller particle sizes, like spices, nuts, and other items, that are difficult to get into the tight spaces of a food processor’s blade and bowl assembly all at once.
Your batter or dough-like mixture may not be able to get up and over the top of the bowl to get into the grinding or chopping mechanism.
Most people don’t realize that the top of the bowl is not flat; instead, it has a slight hump in the middle, where your dough or batter will build up and then get stuck on top.
If you can’t get all your batch over that hump and it spills onto the blade as you’re trying to turn it on and grind or chop, then your food processor will have a hard time getting into all those nooks and crannies.
2. Blade begins to spin before the bowl is filled
The second common problem is feeding the food processor ingredients; only half of what you put in goes into the bowl assembly.
As the blade starts to spin, it needs to be moved down so that it can do work, but if all of the ingredients haven’t gone into the bowl, then your batter or dough will not be able to get up onto the top of the bowl as they did before.
The bowl assembly may seem empty, but the batter or dough is still there. The bowl assembly will act like a barrier, preventing the food processor from doing any work.
If you fill the bowl assembly too much, it will stop turning, and you’ll have to unload it again. If you don’t put enough in, it will spin and make large amounts of batter/dough spill onto the blade as you try to grind or chop.
3. Food processor doesn’t have enough power
It is a common misconception that because the food processor has a high wattage rating, meaning it’s got more power than it needs, the blades can always be turned up higher and will never need a reduction in speed or power.
Many people think that filling the bowl assembly will give them more power to cut and chop ingredients simultaneously.
Recipes to try with freshly ground spice blends
Smokey Chili
Ingredients:
-2 tablespoons ground chipotle chili powder.
-1 teaspoon smoked paprika.
-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin.
-1/4 teaspoon salt.
-1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
-3 cups prepared chili (or two cans low sodium, beanless, tomato sauce)
Instructions: Combine all spices in a small bowl and stir. Add 3 cups of your favorite chili recipe. Cook according to directions. Serve over cooked pasta.
Notes: Ground Chipotle powder is available at most grocery stores and is a staple in any good Mexican cook. Be sure to use fresh ground spice blends.
Store chili powder in an airtight container for long storage, and keep the pepper flakes in a dry place near the stove. You will want to grind them and use them often.
Spicy Roasted Potatoes
Ingredients:
-3 medium, thick-skinned purple potatoes (1 lb).
-1 tablespoon vegetable oil.
-2 teaspoons salt.
-2 teaspoons ground black pepper.
-1 teaspoon paprika or cayenne pepper (for extra heat).
Directions: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Trim off the ends and the eyes of the potatoes. Slice into 2-inch thick spears, approximately 3/4″ wide. Place in a shallow baking dish and toss with oil, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the potatoes are browned but not too crispy. Serve with the fresh ground spice blend.
Notes: The seasoning mixture can be made up to two months in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Special Spicy Lentils
Ingredients:
-1 Cup green lentils.
-1 Large onion, diced.
-4 Cloves garlic, minced.
-2 Teaspoons ground cumin.
-2 Teaspoons sweet paprika two teaspoons salt one teaspoon pepper two medium tomatoes, diced (fresh or canned) 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (or a mixture)
Instructions: Place lentils in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain the lentils, and set them aside.
In a large sauté pan on medium heat, add oil. Add onions and sauté for about 8-10 minutes until onions have caramelized. Add garlic, cumin, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 2-3 more minutes taking care not to burn the mixture.
Add tomatoes to the mixture along with lentils and stir to combine ingredients.
Conclusion
Food processors and mixer grinders can do the same work but differently. The food processor is a multi-purpose kitchen appliance whose primary function is to chop, grind or purée food.
