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Season every dish with these stylish salt and pepper grinders, reviewed by our experts
When it comes to food, salt and pepper are two of the most crucial ingredients; they can take a dish from zero to hero. As with spices, freshly ground seasoning always far outshines the powdery pre-milled versions. It takes flavour to the next level – and a coarse grind can also up the ante in terms of texture, too. That’s why salt and pepper mills are important bits of kit that are well worth investing in, yet they often get overlooked.
When you’re in the market for new mills, there are a few things to bear in mind. First, the grind: lots of mills nowadays are adjustable so you can choose how fine or coarse you’d like your seasoning. Similarly, it’s worth bearing in mind whether you want a manual or electric option, two separate mills or an all-in-one, or whether you’ll want to use them for spices as well as salt and pepper.
That’s not to mention aesthetics – are your mills going to stay in the kitchen or do you want them to bring a bit of style to your dining table, too?
When testing the best salt and pepper grinders, we kept all of the above points in mind. We also considered the consistency of grind, distribution and price. The ones we’ve selected have been chosen for their practicality, ease of use and looks.
While manual pepper grinders are typically designed with a crank, electric pepper grinders are powered by a battery instead, making them a more convenient way to grind salt and peppercorns. They’re generally switched on with the touch of a button, which means you only need to use one hand to use them – which is particularly convenient when cooking and especially helpful for those who may struggle with hand mobility.
Store your peppercorns in a sealed container to retain their flavour for as long as possible. Whether you do this will effect how long they keep their freshness for, and do keep in mind that ground pepper is typically going to loose most of its taste before whole peppercorns do. Generally speaking, you can expect whole peppercorns to keep for up to four years.
For us – as for lots of pro chefs – there really is no beating the Peugeot Saveurs mills. Yes, they’re the most extra on our list when it comes to price, but we think they’re worth it – so hardy, satisfying to use and classically stylish they are. They’ll see you right in the kitchen and look chic on the dining table, too.
If you’re into your kitchen gadgets and are after an electric grinder, the Cuisinart mill is the way to go. We love its versatility – doubling up as a spice and herb grinder too is a real win – plus, it’s easy to use and comes with a cool charging dock that we’re more than happy to leave out on display in our kitchen.
Now that you’re seasoning is sorted, check out our round-up of the best steak knives for the perfect slice every time