Perfect for making fresh guacamole, pesto, or grinding dry spices! They grind and crush whole spices and herbs quickly and easily, releasing full flavor and essential oils. Each mortar is cut from one solid piece of natural granite or marble for longevity. Like all cilio mortars & pestles, these mortars feature an untreated, coarse inside to facilitate grinding, and their tall walls won't let ingredients escape. The pestles are heavy, yet comfortably shaped.