Removing turmeric colour from mortar and pestle
We have a large granite (I think) mortar and pestle, and while keeping it clean generally doesn't seem too difficult, I have absolutely no idea how to avoid it staining when it's used with turmeric powder when cooking curries.
Generally, we'll ground the spices then add garlic and a little water to create a paste which is then fried; the only solution I can think of to avoid the yellow stain is to add the turmeric separately to the pan and leave it out of the mortar entirely. Would this work satisfactorily, or is there a way to get the colour from the mortar?
Best Answer
Turmeric is an intense stain. I would use a little bit of bleach, let it sit until the stain disappears, then wash the mortar very thoroughly. Another option is just to accept that the mortar may develop colors over time, and think of it as character.
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Quick Answer about "Removing turmeric colour from mortar and pestle"
Turmeric is an intense stain. I would use a little bit of bleach, let it sit until the stain disappears, then wash the mortar very thoroughly. Another option is just to accept that the mortar may develop colors over time, and think of it as character.How do you remove turmeric color?
Try using hand sanitizer, which contains alcohol and works to break up the pigment of turmeric. You can also pre-treat the stain with liquid laundry detergent. Apply a dab directly onto the stained area and use a soft-bristle toothbrush or a damp towel to gently scrub the stain before letting it soak for 10 minutes.How do you get turmeric stains out of stone?
Make a paste of one part water to one part baking soda. Apply it to the countertop, and let it sit about 15 minutes before scrubbing it off. Add lemon juice or white vinegar for extra scrubbing power.How do you get turmeric stains out of metal?
Make a solution with two cups hot water and one-cup of lime juice or vinegar and soak your utensil in it overnight. The acid in these ingredients helps in pulling up the stains which can be removed and cleaned the next morning.How do you get stains out of a mortar and pestle?
To clean off dark spots, rinse your mortar and pestle, grind white rice into your mortar, and continue this process until your ground rice stays white. For glass, metal, and ceramic, simply rinse your mortar and pestle, give it a good scrub with a scrub brush, and finally, rinse it thoroughly again.More answers regarding removing turmeric colour from mortar and pestle
Answer 2
if you're worried about extra tumeric getting into your spice mixes, i'd recommend adding a little bit of water (like 1 tsp) and grinding salt into the mortar. this should remove most of the extra bits of the spice, but it may still leave a little bit of color.
if the color STILL bothers you, the only thing i can think of that isn't mentioned above is making a poultice like i do for my granite countertops. here's a site with some pretty easy-to-follow instructions: http://www.mrscleanusa.com/en/cleaning-tips/stain-removal/granite-stain-removal.html
Answer 3
Apparently, if you washed the mortar with a mild soap and water, and let the mortar dry out in direct sunlight or a sunlamp for 5-10+ minutes, the stain will "magically" fade or completely disappear.
Answer 4
curcumin (the colour compound in turmeric) is broken down by UV light. If the stain is the main issue here, leaving the mortar outside where it can receive sunlight directly (without going through a glass window) may be enough
Answer 5
Let it soak in vinegar for a day or two, then scrub. Repeat process if there is still color remaining or let it sit for longer periods altogether (if nothing else, throw in a pinch of baking soda as well.] this worked when i needed to remove a ginger stain. But vinegar is considered acidic, so please use it as a last resort!
Answer 6
you might try soaking it in lemon juice or ammonia, too.
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