Mortar and pestle - WikipediaMortar and pestle are implements used since ancient times to prepare ingredients or substances by crushing and grinding them into a fine paste or powder in the kitchen, medicine and pharmacy.The mortar (/ ˈ m ɔːr t ər /) is a bowl, typically made of hard wood, metal, ceramic, or hard stone, such as granite.The pestle (/ ˈ p ɛ s t əl /) is a heavy and blunt club-shaped object.