Removing turmeric colour from mortar and pestle
We have a large granite (I think) mortar and pestle, and while keeping it clean generally doesn't seem too difficult, I have absolutely no idea how to avoid it staining when it's used with turmeric powder when cooking curries.
Generally, we'll ground the spices then add garlic and a little water to create a paste which is then fried; the only solution I can think of to avoid the yellow stain is to add the turmeric separately to the pan and leave it out of the mortar entirely. Would this work satisfactorily, or is there a way to get the colour from the mortar?
(6)6 Comments
Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best
you might try soaking it in lemon juice or ammonia, too.
Turmeric is an intense stain. I would use a little bit of bleach, let it sit until the stain disappears, then wash the mortar very thoroughly. Another option is just to accept that the mortar may develop colors over time, and think of it as character.
if you're worried about extra tumeric getting into your spice mixes, i'd recommend adding a little bit of water (like 1 tsp) and grinding salt into the mortar. this should remove most of the extra bits of the spice, but it may still leave a little bit of color.
if the color STILL bothers you, the only thing i can think of that isn't mentioned above is making a poultice like i do for my granite countertops. here's a site with some pretty easy-to-follow instructions: www.mrscleanusa.com/en/cleaning-tips/stain-removal/granite-stain-removal.html
Let it soak in vinegar for a day or two, then scrub. Repeat process if there is still color remaining or let it sit for longer periods altogether (if nothing else, throw in a pinch of baking soda as well.] this worked when i needed to remove a ginger stain. But vinegar is considered acidic, so please use it as a last resort!
Apparently, if you washed the mortar with a mild soap and water, and let the mortar dry out in direct sunlight or a sunlamp for 5-10+ minutes, the stain will "magically" fade or completely disappear.
curcumin (the colour compound in turmeric) is broken down by UV light. If the stain is the main issue here, leaving the mortar outside where it can receive sunlight directly (without going through a glass window) may be enough
Terms of Use Privacy policy Contact About Cancellation policy © freshhoot.com2025 All Rights reserved.