Mortar and pestle question

[moondog]

Experienced cook that I am, I have never used one but I did buy one today.
My question is one of how you keep flavours separate.
Doesn't it stay tainted from whatever was done in it last?

I have one - a granite one. It's never occurred to me that it will retain the latest flavour... I'll pay more attention next time! I guess I only use it for pretty strong flavours and the override each other ...

Oh! What sort of stuff do you use it for?

Mainly:

1. The best chilli sauce ever: ginger, garlic, chilli pounded together. Has to be done this way. Doesn't work blended.

2. Roasted peanuts pounded to sprinkle on stuff.

3. A fragrant southeast asian leave - screwpine leave. Pounded to extract juice to make lovely lovely green food. Quite a delicate fragrance, like vanilla but better. Never noticed it to be tainted with 1) and 2).

DD has a granite one and it's really good. Mine is ceramic and has to be washed after use although I can bung it in the dishwasher. Wooden ones are useless - difficult to clean and they retain smell and taste.

Yes, I have a granite one. IKEA for £10.
Bargainous!
I'd be making the sort of thing you are Upto, so good to know.
Thanks all.

I have a granite one too (TK Maxx bargain). I simply wash or wipe it after I use it. Never noticed any flavour contamination.