Help! ISO thai stone mortar/pestle in Toronto area
Arun and Aileen Sharma
I am located in Canada and I am trying to locate a Thai granite (stone)
mortar and pestle similar to the one used by the "Naked Chef". I would
like any info on asian grocers etc in toronto that would carry this type
of item.
Sincere thanks,Aileen
Nan Zitney
Have been lurking and gleaning loads of delicious ideas whishing I could
give back!!
I just got a stone mortar and pestle from
WWW.pacificrim-gourmet.com
The actual cost was $35. and becsause it weighed much, the shipping came to
about $15. Ended up 50$$, but I wanted it for the newly decorated kitchen I
just finished in a Japanese theme.
Good Luck, hope it was what you were seeking.
--
Nanzi(in Lower, Slower Delaware)
USDA Hardiness Zone 7
Grateful hearts are open
to the miracles of an ordinary day.
Arun and Aileen Sharma
I would like to be able to find one a bit closer to home (ie. Canada) as the
exchange rate is poor for me and the cost to ship it would be astronomical!!
Thanks tho,Aileen
Stan Horwitz
> Thanks Nancy.
> I would like to be able to find one a bit closer to home (ie. Canada) as the
> exchange rate is poor for me and the cost to ship it would be astronomical!!
Try your local pharmacy. They may not sell a mortar and pestle,
but they may know where you can buy them.
PENMART01
<st...@typhoon.ocis.temple.edu> writes:
Pharmacies no longer use mortar and pestle, nor would their's be suitable for
food.
A decent stone motar and pestle is not any major expense ($20- $40), and they
are widely available. A large stone set will weigh about 15 pounds: UPS
shipping rates apply, couldn't cost more than $10 to anywhere in the lower 48 -
NOT astronomical.
Go here: http://www.pacificrim-gourmet.com/mortar_&_pestles.htm
And here: http://www.templeofthai.com/mortar_pestle/mortar_pestle.html
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
Ross Reid
Aileen,
Take a couple of hours some day and wander through the shops in the
Spadina and Dundas area of Toronto. I'm sure you'll find what you're
looking for in that area.
Ross.
Ross Reid
Sheldon,
You have obviously been denied the misfortune of having to pay the
exchange rate between US and Canadian dollars, plus the rip-off of having
a parcel shipped to Canada via UPS (Unscrupulous Parcel Service).
The large stone mortar you linked to at PacificRim is US$39.95 which
converts to CDN$61.56
Then, UPS Standard shipping on 15 lbs. from Gold River CA is US$17.62
which converts to CDN$27.15 or, if one wants it in a hurry, UPS Expedited
is US$71.13 which converts to CDN$109.60.
Now comes the unscrupulous part. When UPS delivers the parcel, in
addition to the shipping charges, they will have added their "Brokerage"
fees which in some cases are as high or even higher than the value of the
shipment.
This US$39.95 mortar could end up costing the buyer in Toronto anywhere
from a minimum of about CDN$115.00 for standard shipment to well over
CDN$200.00 for expedited shipment.
May not be astronomical but it's getting close;-(.
Ross.
Arun and Aileen Sharma
Thanks Ross for explaining so well what happens when you wish to purchase
something from the U.S. and have it shipped to Canada. I do not live in
Toronto. I live further away ... but I would be willing to have something
shipped from Toronto.....and pay far less for the product and the shipping.
If I lived 'stateside' oviously I would not have any qualms with the shipping
within my own country. It is when the 'across the border' business starts
that we really see the prices rise. Couple this with Canada's low dollar
value and a simple 40.00 product becomes really expensive.
Thanks for everyone's advice,Aileen
Cyndi
Company) went out of business! I purchased a marble mortar and pestle
for.......$ 5.00 on clearance... um, no, that's wrong... it was only $ 2.00.
I've definitely gotten my $ 2.00 worth of usage from it but I rarely use it
anymore. It so much easier to use a spice/coffee grinder.
--
Cyndi
PENMART01
<mrr...@golden.net> writes:
Then locate a Canadian Website that sells mortars and pestles or a Canadian
brick and mortar establishment, otherwise have an American friend/acquaintence
receive the parcel and then send it on to the Canadian as a *gift*, and of
course reimburse the resender, not necessarily in cash, perhaps a unique
Canadian gift back as reciprocity. And anyway, I've visited Toronto many many
times (a great city with great food stuffs) and I don't believe similar mortars
and pestles can't be purchased directly in Toronto. Toronto has wonderful
international shopping.
Try the St. Lawrence Market: http://toronto.com/E/V/TORON/0020/17/53/5.html
Or here: http://www.geocities.com/cplarosa/toronto/malls.htm
jlh
College to just south of Dundas. Many shops have them.
Ross Reid
(Much snippage)
> And anyway, I've visited Toronto many many
>times (a great city with great food stuffs) and I don't believe similar mortars
>and pestles can't be purchased directly in Toronto. Toronto has wonderful
>international shopping.
Absolutely! I agree 100%.
That's why I recommended to the original poster that she take a walk
through the Spadina & Dundas area. That's the heart of one of Toronto's
two oriental shopping areas as well as being right next to Kensington
Market. Anyone into food and cooking should never miss a visit to both
the Kensington and St. Lawrence markets in Toronto if they ever have the
opportunity.
If she can't find it there she's not looking hard enough.
Ross.
Rona Y.
"Arun and Aileen Sharma" <pugp...@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:3B796D6A...@ns.sympatico.ca...
> Hi to all:
> Thanks Ross for explaining so well what happens when you wish to
purchase
> something from the U.S. and have it shipped to Canada. I do not live in
> Toronto. I live further away ... but I would be willing to have
something
> shipped from Toronto.....and pay far less for the product and the
shipping.
<snip>
How far is ''further away"? The Chinese grocery stores in Richmond Hill
may have some.
rona
Arun and Aileen Sharma
I do not live in the province of Ontario, but have relatives there that I visit
occasionally. They are busy folks that I would not like to bother by suggesting that
they visit Chinatown on a hunt for me :) I can however, on my next visit, go to the
areas very kindly suggested by the knowledgeable folks here and have a look myself.
I really appreciate everyone's comments and look forward to finding one of the
seemingly elusive beasties ( the mortar and pestle!!).
Again, thank you for your help in my quest, Aileen
PENMART01
<pugp...@ns.sympatico.ca> writes:
>Hi To All:
>I do not live in the province of Ontario, but have relatives there that I
>visit
>occasionally. They are busy folks that I would not like to bother by
>suggesting that
>they visit Chinatown on a hunt for me :) I can however, on my next visit, go
>to the
>areas very kindly suggested by the knowledgeable folks here and have a look
>myself.
>I really appreciate everyone's comments and look forward to finding one of
>the
>seemingly elusive beasties ( the mortar and pestle!!).
>Again, thank you for your help in my quest, Aileen
Any major city throughout Canada will have emporiums with mortars and pestles
for sale, in abundance, and most all will ship, so you have no excuse if it
turns out you live in some extremely desolate portion. If you'd say which area
you live I and others can direct you; Canada encompasses a vast area, I know
first hand, I've driven coast to coast many a time and quite a ways towards
it's northern boundaries in various of it's provinces. Personally I don't
believe you've yet expended any effort whatsoever in searching for a mortar and
pestle other than that of your posting here.
>Ross Reid wrote:
>
>> penm...@aol.como (PENMART01) wrote:
>>
>> (Much snippage)
>>
>> > And anyway, I've visited Toronto many many
>> >times (a great city with great food stuffs) and I don't believe similar
>mortars
>> >and pestles can't be purchased directly in Toronto. Toronto has wonderful
>> >international shopping.
>>
>> Absolutely! I agree 100%.
>> That's why I recommended to the original poster that she take a walk
>> through the Spadina & Dundas area. That's the heart of one of Toronto's
>> two oriental shopping areas as well as being right next to Kensington
>> Market. Anyone into food and cooking should never miss a visit to both
>> the Kensington and St. Lawrence markets in Toronto if they ever have the
>> opportunity.
>> If she can't find it there she's not looking hard enough.
>>
>> Ross.
>
Steve Kramer
that our housekeeper is also in serious need of a large stone mortar and
pestle for our kitchen. I almost bought a beautiful waist-high carved
wooden one yesterday that some guy was selling from the back of his
wagon along the road, but was in too much of a hurry for a meeting to
stop and go back for it. Turns out that Anong doesn't like the big
wooden ones (I see them being used in all the street stalls.) She wants
a stone one. I guess tomorrow morning I'll have to take her down to the
big farmers market along the river, and let her make her own choice as
to size. I'll go along to play pack mule... NOT one of my favorite
roles, I might add.
Steve
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Two years, eleven months, three weeks, four days, 14 hours, 43 minutes
and 46 seconds. 32718 cigarettes not smoked, saving $5,725.72. Time used
for a better purpose: 16 weeks, 1 day, 14 hours, 30 minutes.
--
I wish to live my life deliberately, to front the essential facts
of life; to suck the very marrow of life and see if I can learn what it
has to teach, and not, when it comes my time to die, discover that I
have not lived.
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Colin McGregor
While I don't normally watch the "Naked Chef", so I'm not exactly sure
of what your after in a mortar and pestle I do know Toronto fairly
well (I do live in the city) and can be of some help with shopping...
Also, of note I have been semi-amused by some of the comments about
Toronto. A while back someone I know was approached at a party and was
asked if Toronto had a Chinatown, and she with a straight face replied
"Toronto doesn't have a Chinatown" which of course is technically
correct. I tend to take the view that Toronto has three Chinatowns,
but I have heard people fairly convincingly argue that Toronto has 4
Chinatowns, which are:
- Dundas Street just east of Spadina.
- Dundas Street west of Spadina (newer than, but next to the above).
- Parliament and Gerrard
- Kennedy and Steeles Ave. E.
The largest being the Chinatowns around Dundas and Spadina, the newest
(read upscale) being Kennedy and Steeles. This means that the Chinese
community is more-or-less doing what the irish and jewish communities
did (both at one time dominated the area around Dundas and Spadina)
get their start at Dundas and Spadina before moving out to what were
then considered the suburbs. Back to food this movement explains why
you will find the oldest of the Shoppsy's chain of delis in what is
now considered a Chinese neighborhood.
The above is of course just the Chinatowns, there is also a Koreatown
in the city (Bloor just west of Bathurst).
Now, as to specific shops, there is "Kitchen Stuff Plus" with several
outlet in the city that I know do carry mortar and pestle (though I'm
not sure if they would have what your after). There is also "Honest
Ed's" at Bloor and Bathurst (a short walk from Koreatown), that tends
towards the restaurant supply business, that may well have what your
after (as well as cheap/tackey everything else, like they are the only
store I know off the top of my head that sells ceramic Elvis
busts....).
Let me know just what your after, plus what part of the city your
going to be in and I'll be able to be of further help...
Colin.
Arun and Aileen Sharma
I have merely asked a question regarding a kitchen tool that I would like to
locate. Where and how extensively I have searched can hardly be of importance to
you personally, unless your life is extremely dull and unfulfilled. This also
applies to where I live as I have previously stated that it is not the 'lower or
upper 48'..... and that I could get toToronto if necessary. I have been extremely
appreciative for the efforts of others and I am amazed at how you might judge
someone without adequate information.
Again, sincere thanks to all that have taken the time to answer my query,Aileen
Rona Y.
"Steve Kramer" <st...@seatraveler.com> wrote in message
news:3B7A7CB3...@seatraveler.com...
> Interesting that this thread came up right now. I just got word today
> that our housekeeper is also in serious need of a large stone mortar and
> pestle for our kitchen. I almost bought a beautiful waist-high carved
> wooden one yesterday that some guy was selling from the back of his
> wagon along the road, but was in too much of a hurry for a meeting to
> stop and go back for it.
<snip>
Oh Steve! You obviously haven't been in Thailand long enough if you're
hurrying around!
IIRC, the stone ones are best for curries and stuff like that. We have a
tiny wooden one that just gets used for peppercorns and garlic. I wanted
to buy a big stone one in Thailand but Dad wasn't willing to bargain for
it--he kept saying it was too heavy. In retrospect, he was right, but I
really wanted it!
rona
Steve Kramer
>
> "Steve Kramer" <st...@seatraveler.com> wrote in message
> news:3B7A7CB3...@seatraveler.com...
> > Interesting that this thread came up right now. I just got word today
> > that our housekeeper is also in serious need of a large stone mortar and
> > pestle for our kitchen. I almost bought a beautiful waist-high carved
> > wooden one yesterday that some guy was selling from the back of his
> > wagon along the road, but was in too much of a hurry for a meeting to
> > stop and go back for it.
>
> <snip>
>
> Oh Steve! You obviously haven't been in Thailand long enough if you're
> hurrying around!
You're right. I know. Gimme a couple more years to get it right...
*grin* But then, I haven't noticed any 'slow' drivers in this town yet.
> IIRC, the stone ones are best for curries and stuff like that. We have a
> tiny wooden one that just gets used for peppercorns and garlic. I wanted
> to buy a big stone one in Thailand but Dad wasn't willing to bargain for
> it--he kept saying it was too heavy. In retrospect, he was right, but I
> really wanted it!
The wooden ones I saw were beautifully 'turned,' about 1 ft or more, in
diameter, and stood about 3 1/2 ft tall. I've seen them being used in
the food courts to make somtam, and I REALLY love somtam, so I REALLY
wanted to buy it so Anong would make it for us and I could learn how to
make it myself. But my meeting was with someone who was going to help me
with some 'special' visa issues, and I wanted to keep him very, very
happy, and not be late for our meeting.
Steve
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Two years, eleven months, three weeks, five days, 12 hours, 25 minutes
and 55 seconds. 32745 cigarettes not smoked, saving $5,730.47. Time used
for a better purpose: 16 weeks, 1 day, 16 hours, 45 minutes.
Padej Gajajiva
"Rona Y." <prasa...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9lfd5o$qes$1...@canopus.cc.umanitoba.ca...
I don't know where you are located, Rona, but the stone ones, of varying
sizes are available from most Oriental or Chinese grocery stores in the US.
Here, in Cleveland, the large one goes for $19.95, medium for $17.95, and
small for $12.95. Pretty good prices, compared to what I'd seen on the web.
OTOH, I personally wouldn't buy those. For those of us who uses these thing
the way Thais do, need to be a little more picky. The ones that I've seen
here are made from relatively soft stone, and will not take the pounding for
very long before you may get stone chips in your food. I'd want to go to
where they are made (Aang-Sila, Thailand) and pick my own, since I do know
how to pick one out.
Rona Y.
"Padej Gajajiva" <tr...@idt.net> wrote in message
news:9lh1rv$861$1...@slb2.atl.mindspring.net...
>
>
> I don't know where you are located, Rona, but the stone ones, of varying
> sizes are available from most Oriental or Chinese grocery stores in the
US.
> Here, in Cleveland, the large one goes for $19.95, medium for $17.95,
and
> small for $12.95. Pretty good prices, compared to what I'd seen on the
web.
>
I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada for the geographically challenged).
We actually have a sort of small stone one (not large enough to do curries
but bigger than our wooden one) but the one I wanted in Thailand was
really big! But then, we've never made curry pastes at home, anyway, so
it would probably just be used for decoration.
> OTOH, I personally wouldn't buy those. For those of us who uses these
thing
> the way Thais do, need to be a little more picky. The ones that I've
seen
> here are made from relatively soft stone, and will not take the pounding
for
> very long before you may get stone chips in your food. I'd want to go
to
> where they are made (Aang-Sila, Thailand) and pick my own, since I do
know
> how to pick one out.
>
What would you look for in a mortar and pestle? How would you check for
softness/hardness (aside from trying it out)? Any good advice for us?
rona
Padej Gajajiva
>
> "Padej Gajajiva" <tr...@idt.net> wrote in message
> news:9lh1rv$861$1...@slb2.atl.mindspring.net...
> >
> >
> > I don't know where you are located, Rona, but the stone ones, of varying
> > sizes are available from most Oriental or Chinese grocery stores in the
> US.
> > Here, in Cleveland, the large one goes for $19.95, medium for $17.95,
> and
> > small for $12.95. Pretty good prices, compared to what I'd seen on the
> web.
> >
>
> I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada for the geographically challenged).
That's a little far away! I don't know what supplies of products like this
is like in Canada, but over the years, I've been seeing wide varieties of
things that I'd never seen here before, being introduced. I guess our
"world" is getting smaller!
> We actually have a sort of small stone one (not large enough to do curries
> but bigger than our wooden one) but the one I wanted in Thailand was
> really big! But then, we've never made curry pastes at home, anyway, so
> it would probably just be used for decoration.
I find all sort of uses for the one that I have.
> > OTOH, I personally wouldn't buy those. For those of us who uses these
> thing
> > the way Thais do, need to be a little more picky. The ones that I've
> seen
> > here are made from relatively soft stone, and will not take the pounding
> for
> > very long before you may get stone chips in your food. I'd want to go
> to
> > where they are made (Aang-Sila, Thailand) and pick my own, since I do
> know
> > how to pick one out.
> >
>
> What would you look for in a mortar and pestle? How would you check for
> softness/hardness (aside from trying it out)? Any good advice for us?
Unfortunately, it's not easy to describe. You need to be able to recognize
the texture of the stone. What I know was taught to me by my grandmother.
Not directly, but I have a gift of being able to remember things that I hear
and experienced from the very early age. Those things that I "remember"
comes in real handy. A good stone mortar and pestle will last at least a
couple of generations. However, the ones that you get here should be really
fine for the way that most people uses them for. It's the heavy and
constant pounding that takes its toll on the product. I'm generalize a lot,
since there is a "proper" way to pound also. Too hard is not good, and too
soft will not produce the "right" texture.
--
Pad. Gajajiva Cleveland, Ohio