Zen Cuizine 6393608CG Granite Mortar and Pestal

Bought this primarily to crush sea salt. The local health store started importing various sea salts, but the crystals are just too large to use at the table. This mortar and pestle work well for that purpose.

It's a heavy chunk of granite, the pestle is made from the same rock. They are unpolished (which I like), so the surface is a little porous - the outside of the mortar is pretty rough (good grip), the inside of the bowl is more finely ground. The pestle's surface is fine like the inside "bowl" of the mortar.

The name "ZEN cuiZine" (spelled like that) is engraved on the top edge, across from the "spout" , painted in black - it's pretty crude, the letters don't align with the edge, don't radiate perfectly from the focal point. It looks almost as if they were done as an afterthought, like maybe the supplier imports the piece, then carves their own name into it with a sand blaster and a hand-held letter shield. For me, the engraving is a non-issue, because of its excellent, heavy construction. And really, it's a fairly roughly-hewn piece to begin with.

I don't find the spout all that functional; it doesn't go deeply enough into the side to affect the flow of crystals pouring out. It might work better with liquified contents, though.

Overall, a heavy, stout, workhorse that isn't going to win any beauty contests, but will probably last 30 generations of cooks. Heavy enough to warrant using free shipping.

The item came in exactly as described, and arrived in less than a week. I am very happy with this product.

Arrived with large black letters engraved on the top border of the product "Zen Cuisine". Looks like a child had trouble filling in the letters. Very ugly. Not worth it whatever the rebate! This is going back.