Plunger
A pestle is a tool known since prehistory for crushing and pounding parts of plants, herbs or spices , for example, in a vessel, for example a mortar . Compared to a pestle , a pestle is usually heavier and more massive, and its curvature does not have to match the curvature of the work surface, as is necessary with a mortar .
In the pharmaceutical industry , mortars and pestles have been used for centuries, for example to pound medicinal drugs with essential oils .
In the bar tappets ( Engl. Muddler ) in the preparation of cocktails used, herbs or spices in fruit cocktail shaker , the mixing glass or beaker ( tumbler , crush and) in which the drink is also served as the to release the juice or essential oils contained therein, for example from citrus peel or mint . There are bar pestles made of wood, metal or plastic and with smooth and fluted rubbing surfaces; they are usually about 20 cm long. Wooden pestles , as they are often used in the preparation of caipirinha , have the disadvantage compared to pestles made of metal or plastic that they take on the aromas of the lime peel. In addition, the peel of the fruit is destroyed by its lattice-like ribbed surface, so that not only essential oils, but also bitter substances from the peel get into the drink. Bar spoons often have a small rubbing surface at the end of the spoon handle and can therefore also be used as a pestle, for example to crush sugar cubes or herbs.
