Purchasing a stone mortar and pestle is an excellent addition to any kitchen, especially for those who enjoy preparing their fresh spices and pastas. However, before you start using it, it is crucial to perform a curing process. This step is not only important to clean the mortar of any manufacturing residue, but also to ensure that no stone particles are mixed with the ingredients during use.

Step by step:

1. Initial Washing:
   • Start by washing both parts of the mortar, the container and the hand, with plenty of water. Use a sponge or stiff brush to remove any surface residue. It is important to avoid using soaps or detergents, as they can leave residues that alter the flavour of your food.
2. Drying:
   • Once washed, dry the mortar and hand thoroughly with a clean cloth to remove any residual moisture.
3. Polishing with Natural Abrasives:
   • The process consists of polishing all the work surfaces, both the mortar and the hand. Most commonly, rice and coarse salt are used as the main abrasives. A mixture of the two (half and half) can be used, or they can be used separately, in different passes.
   • With the pestle and mortar, grind the mixture with force and patience. Be sure to go over the bottom and walls of the mortar thoroughly. Continue until the mixture becomes a kind of fine flour.
4. Wash and Repeat:
   • Remove the mixture, wash the mortar with water and a brush, and repeat the polishing process. Generally, three passes of 10-15 minutes each are sufficient, but if you notice dark residues, it is advisable to make one or more additional passes.
5. Use of Soaked Rice (optional):
   • If milling raw rice is too difficult, you can soak it for about 20 minutes to soften the grains. This makes the milling process easier, although you should use only rice in this pass, as the salt may dissolve.
6. Fine Polishing with Abrasive Paste:
   • For a finer finish, create a paste using 4 or 5 cloves of garlic and a good handful of fine salt. You can also use peeled ginger and add harsh spices such as pepper or cumin.
   • Grind all the ingredients in a mortar and pestle with effort, making sure to coat all internal surfaces.
7. Final Wash:
   • Remove the paste, wash the mortar and hand with water and a brush until the water runs completely clear. Make sure there is no paste residue.
   • Dry the pieces very well with a clean cloth.

Conclusion
Congratulations! You now have your stone mortar ready to use. This curing process is essential to ensure that your mortar is clean and free of impurities before use. Remember that you don’t need to complete all the steps in one go; you can do one pass, wash the mortar, and continue when you have more time. Enjoy the enhanced cooking experience that a properly cured stone mortar offers.