Muddler
The Muddler is a tool that can be used to squeeze or crush fruit, herbs or other ingredients in a glass, e.g. to extract juice or essential oils.
The bar muddler is essential to prepare caipirinhas and mojitos among many other drinks and can be made of wood, plastic or metal, depending on the model. A combination of metal and plastic is also often found, with the head on these models being made of plastic to protect the glass. Only a few bar muddlers are made entirely of stainless steel. Home users often prefer wooden muddlers, while plastic models are increasingly used in professional work environments. The handle of the bar muddler is usually rather thick for a better grip. The better the muddler feels in the palm of the hand, the less tiring the muddling process will feel. Some variants are even ergonomically shaped.
The surfaces of wooden bar pestles are treated differently. Some bar muddlers are left natural, while some are oiled or even painted. Untreated wooden pestles tend to take on the aromas of the citrus fruits after a certain period of time. Plastic bar muddlers are available in different strengths. Soft plastics may wear out due to the friction of sugar e.g. when preparing caipirinhas.
The corrugation on the head of the muddler differs depending on its area of application. Besides flat muddlers, there are star-shaped, waffle-shaped and wave-shaped muddle heads available on the market. Sharp edged in the muddle design may cut into the peel of citrus fruits, releasing bitter oils, which affect the taste of the drink. Herbs and mint leaves also rip apart when muddled with sharp pestles. Flat muddlers squeeze gentler, thus releasing fewer bitter substances. The type of ribbing should be tailored to the ingredients and desired tastes.
