The Bembo Genoese Mortar. The Original.

The 16 cm Bembo white Carrara marble mortar and pestle is one of the most versatile sizes in the collection, ideal for preparing authentic Pesto alla Genovese with a mortar and pestle, sauces and seasonings for up to 3 people. Its dimensions offer an excellent balance of practicality, stability and working capacity.

Crafted according to the traditional Genoese design, it combines prestigious white Carrara marble with a beechwood pestle, two materials deeply connected with the Italian mortar-making tradition.

Carrara Marble Mortar and Pestle for Pesto

The perfectly smooth interior surface allows ingredients to be worked without absorbing aromas or moisture. The beechwood pestle is ideal for crushing basil, garlic, pine nuts and cheese using the traditional movements required for preparing pesto.

Natural marble also gives the mortar substantial weight and excellent stability, particularly important during vigorous and prolonged use.

Why Make Pesto with a Mortar and Pestle?

A mortar and pestle for pesto allows ingredients to be worked without electric blades, avoiding the heat generated by high-speed mechanical processing and helping to preserve their aromas, textures and natural characteristics.

In addition to Pesto alla Genovese, the mortar can be used to prepare walnut sauce, agliata, citrus pesto, chimichurri and many other sauces. It is also ideal for crushing spices, peppercorns, aromatic herbs and nuts.

Bartolomeo Scappi, in his celebrated work Opera dell'arte del cucinare, described the use of a marble mortar and wooden pestle in Renaissance Italian cuisine—a centuries-old tradition that continues to this day.

Weight and Stability

Weight is a fundamental element in the stability of a mortar. The substantial Carrara marble construction helps keep the 16 cm Bembo mortar firmly in place on the work surface while crushing and grinding ingredients, allowing steady and controlled movements.

Solidity, stability and durability are essential qualities of a traditional kitchen tool designed to provide years of use.

The 16 cm mortar is particularly versatile and is an ideal choice for everyday use, cooking enthusiasts and anyone who wants to prepare pesto regularly using the traditional method.

Every Mortar Is Unique

Every Bembo mortar is made from natural marble. Veining, shades and small details may therefore vary from one piece to another: these natural characteristics of the stone make every mortar unique.

Carefully finished and supplied with its beechwood pestle, it is presented in elegant packaging and also makes a refined gift for enthusiasts of Italian cuisine and culinary tradition.

The Bembo Genoese Mortar. The Original.