Article by: anees

Comparison of 5 types of pepper mills and 1st place is fragrant with 36 stages of grinding

Yuta Iida, the 6th generation of the long-established cooking utensil store "Iidaya" in Kappabashi, Tokyo, thoroughly compares the cooking utensils of Imadoki. This time, we will compare the fineness, roughness, grindability, and aroma of pepper with a pepper mill that represents each country in the world (all prices include tax).

Hello, this is Iida YuiFutoshi. Do you often use pepper for cooking? Many granules and powders that have already been ground are sold, but if you want to spend a lot of time, freshly ground is the best. The fresh aroma of pepper and the spicy spiciness makes the dish exceptionally delicious. This time, we will compare and verify popular pepper mills from all over the world.

Yuta Iida, the 6th generation of the long-established cooking utensil store "Iidaya" in Kappabashi, Tokyo, is the kitchen bench grinds and compares the well-established world pepper mills.

What you need to know when choosing a pepper mill are the grinder and adjustment functions. Grinders are generally made of ceramic. For ceramic grinders, grind the pepper into smaller pieces. Other grinders, such as steel, use a method of cutting rather than crushing. The crushing method may feel a little heavy when grinding. On the other hand, the cutting method is characterized by its light grinding comfort.

There are two types of roughness adjustment: a knob type and a dial adjustment type at the bottom. The knob is a mechanism that allows you to grind finely enough to close the lid tightly. Many dial types can be fine-tuned.

Now, I would like to introduce the pepper mill to be verified this time.
■ Cool design is popular, cutting type mill

Cole & Mason "Darwent Pepper Mill" (manufacturer's suggested retail price of 9350 yen). British brand (made in China), diameter about 60 x height about 190 mm, 6-step adjustment, hardened carbon steel grinder

"Darwent Pepper Mill" is one of the "Gourmet Precision" series, which is said to be the highest peak among the long-established British mill makers Cole & Mason. The best feature is that the general pepper mill has a mechanism to grind and grind, but this is a method of cutting pepper. It has a good reputation for its sharp taste by cutting it instead of crushing it. Actually, this is also my personal use. It's light and comfortable to grind, so you can work smoothly while cooking.

The lid can be easily removed, so it's easy

■ Recommended for discerning groups, dial type that can be finely adjusted
Based in Solingen, Germany, Zassenhaus is a long-established mill manufacturer founded in 1867. It is well known as a coffee mill maker in Japan. Solingen, which has a base, is a place like the Tsubame Sanjo area in Niigata prefecture, where many metal processing manufacturers gather if you compare it in Japan. Solingen also has many factories and companies that produce scissors and mills.

"Frankfurt Pepper Mill WEN" is a representative product of Zassenhaus, which is popular for its easy-to-grip and slim form. The mill part is made of ceramic and has two types of grooves of different sizes, which are crushed in two stages. The adjustment dial has a 6-step grind guide, but it can be adjusted steplessly, so it may be a good idea to adjust it to your liking.

Zassenhaus "Frankfurt Pepper Mill WEN" (manufacturer's suggested retail price 9350 yen). Made in Germany, diameter about 58 x height about 180 mm, stepless free adjustment, ceramic grinder, beach wood material

Loosen the knob, remove the lid, and add the ground pepper.

■ 36 levels of adjustment are possible

Crash Grind C Collection "Stockholm (Oak)" (Manufacturer's suggested retail price 7480 yen). Made in Denmark, diameter about 60 x height about 170 mm, 36-step adjustment (with 6-step guide), ceramic grinder

A type that can be opened quickly. The inside is wide and plenty of pepper can be put in

Danish ceramic mill maker Crash Grind's "Stockholm" is a mill known for its peppery aroma. The secret to the strong scent is the ceramic grinder. It has a heavy grinding feel, and by crushing it firmly, the essential oil bursts and the aroma spreads. Ceramic grinders are sturdy enough to be used with rock salt and spices and are confident with a 25-year warranty.

The best feature is the adjustment dial on the bottom. It clicks one step at a time, but I'm surprised that it can be changed to 36 steps. It is also unique that there is a spice mark with a magnet on the lid. Since there are P and S marks on the front and back, you can change it to "P" for pepper and "S" for salt.
■ A classic made in Japan that is loved by professionals

IKEDA "Crystal Wood 6701 Pepper Grinding" (manufacturer's suggested retail price 6875 yen). Made in Japan, diameter about 50 x height about 160 mm, knob adjustment, steel grinder

Speaking of mills in Japanese manufacturers, IKEDA has long been loved by professionals. Many people have been using it for more than 10 to 15 years, and it is a product with high robustness that I have not heard much about it being broken. "Crystal Wood 6701 Pepper Grind" is adjusted with the knob on the top. If you close it tightly, you can grind it finely. In addition, the steel grinder is characterized by a two-tiered spiral shape. Since the ringside is also two-tiered, it is a mechanism to grind pepper with a total of four-tiered spiral structures. It has a very good reputation for its fineness.

Loosen the knob on the top and add pepper. Since the part to put in is clear glass, it is convenient to know the remaining amount

■ Southeast Asian model landed in Japan

Peugeot "Méribel" (manufacturer's suggested retail price of 11,000 yen). Made in France, diameter approx. 65 x height approx. 140 mm, knob adjustment, grinder made of iron / stainless steel, walnut resin coating finish

New work from Peugeot, a French manufacturer that is synonymous with a pepper mill, has landed in Japan for the first time in a long time. The "Méribel" series is a product made for Southeast Asia. At first, it was made of wood, but in humid areas, wood is fragile, so it was coated with resin. The design has a calm atmosphere.

Peugeot's pepper mill is characterized by its light grinding comfort. Roughness is adjusted by turning the knob on the top. It is popular with French culinary professionals because it can be adjusted steplessly. It is a heavy and high-class pepper mill with a Peugeot mark.

Loosen the knob and stuff with pepper. The central shaft is not fixed, so it wobbles, but what will happen if you actually grind it?

We will verify with the above 5 types. Result is?
■ Are the roughness and aroma so different?

Compare fineness, roughness, ease of grinding, and aroma with 5 types of pepper mills

This time, we examined the roughness and aroma, the feeling of grinding, and the presence or absence of blurring. If there is a number in the adjustment, grind it in the 1st (fine) and 6th (coarse).

◆ Darwent Pepper Mill
I found the lightness on the first stroke. It is impressive that the pepper comes out smoothly without shaking. Perhaps because it is cut every time it is ground, you can see the fresh aroma of pepper.

The fineness is excellent

Rough roughness that you can see that it is cut

◆ Frankfurt Pepper Mill WEN
I was surprised that the slim form has a sense of stability without shaking. I was impressed that the grain size did not change from the beginning to the end without any blurring.

Finer and more delicate than expected. However, it is a pity that the amount that can be ground with one stroke is small

The difference between fineness and roughness became clear

◆ Stockholm
It's made of wood, so it's very nice to the touch. The grinding feel is heavy and has a firm twisting feel. That's why it doesn't shake. It's a simple and sturdy type instead of appearance.

Normal rather than fine

Rough and crunchy. It has a strong scent and is irresistible for pepper lovers.

◆ Crystal Wood 6701 Pepper Grind
The grinding feel is very smooth and you can see that it has been loved by professionals for a long time. The scent also stands out. Probably because it grinds strongly with a steel grinder. However, it is a pity that there is almost no difference in roughness.

Excellent fineness

It's a pity that I can't feel the roughness. It may have been backfired that the shaft did not shake

◆ Méribel
Peugeot was just called the King of Mills among professionals, and it was light and easy to grind. You can indeed grind a large amount with one stroke. However, it was found that the shaft was easily shaken, and the fineness and roughness became uneven while grinding.

The fineness of Dantotsu

Roughness is weak. It's a pity that it becomes uneven while grinding

The result is as follows.
◆ Overall 1st place Stockholm
It is wonderful that the range of functions of the mill is wide and it does not shake at all.
◆ The lightness of grinding comfort 1st place Derwent pepper mill
Anyway, it was light and smooth.

From the front left, Frankfurt, Derwent Pepper Mill. From the far left, Méribel, Crystalwood 6701 pepper, Stockholm. The difference between coarse and fine conditions was clear in Frankfurt Peppermill WEN, Stockholm.

◆ Roughness of grinding
1st Stockholm
2nd Frankfurt Pepper Mill WEN
3rd Derwent Pepper Mill
4th Méribel
5th Crystalwood 6701 Pepper Milling

◆ Fineness of grinding
1st place Méribel
2nd place Stockholm / Frankfurt Pepper Mill WEN / Derwent Pepper Mill / Crystal Wood 6701 Pepper Mill

◆ No. 1 in fragrance strength Frankfurt Pepper Mill WEN / Stockholm
Overall, Germany's Zassenhaus "Frankfurt Peppermill WEN" was second only to Denmark's Crash Grind "Stockholm". The feeling of grinding, the strength of the aroma, and the difference between fine and coarse are also apparent.

If you're looking for a fine and delicate pepper when looking for a pepper mill, Peugeot's Méribel is for you. On the other hand, if you like lumpy, coarse-grained pepper, then Crash Grind "Stockholm" is for you. Enjoy cooking at home with a pepper mill. (Talk)

(Sentence Hirose Keiyo, Photo Kikuchi Kurage)