Peugeot 23485 Paris u'Select 9-Inch Pepper Mill, Chocolate

The benefits of freshly grinding pepper, salt, herbs and spices for cooking and seasoning are numerous. A quality mill with a specifically designed grinding mechanism will release the aromas and essential oils of that spice. Freshly ground pepper and spices have more aroma and better flavor than pre-ground alternatives. Another advantage of using freshly ground spices or minerals (salts) is the control a mill provides for determining the coarseness (size) of a grind. A high-quality pepper, salt or spice mill gives you the ability to choose and change the coarseness according to taste or necessity.

When looking for a pepper, salt or spice grinder, consider the following: the grinding mechanism should be well-made and produce a consistent grind, ideally designed to handle a specific spice as each has different physical characteristics; the design and appearance, whether traditional or modern, manual or electric, can make the mill an indispensable kitchen tool and beautiful table decor; and the mill should be easy to adjust, fill, and feel comfortable in the hand.

Peugeot's story begins in the 19th century when the Peugeot brothers converted the family's gristmill into a steel foundry. They immediately began producing award-winning hand tools and went on to produce a diverse range of exceptional quality products including small appliances, bicycles and most notably, automobiles. In 1840, Peugeot created their burr-style coffee grinder and adapted that design to accommodate peppercorns in 1874. This iconic pepper grinding mechanism design is still used today in every Peugeot pepper mill and is often copied, but never equaled.

Peugeot has 7 unique spice-specific mechanisms for pepper, salt, herbs and spices, coffee, wet salt, chili peppers and nutmeg. Each mechanism is designed to get the most out of the spices they are intended for. Peugeot's Pepper Grinding Mechanism is a two-stage burr-style system that cracks and then grinds whole peppercorns to a consistent size, releasing the pepper's essential oils for maximum flavor and aroma. Their Salt Crushing Mechanism features two ribbed plates that fracture and crush coarse, dry sea salt.

Peugeot's patented u'Select grind control system offers 6 pre-defined levels of grind for both pepper and salt, or any point in between, allowing you to quickly, easily and accurately adjust the grind settings based on personal preferences and the dish being prepared. The further you turn the ring at the base of the mill, the finer or coarser the grind.

To get the best results, Peugeot recommends using only dry, hard, whole peppercorns that are 5 mm (1/4") or less in diameter, and dry salt with a diameter of 4 mm (0.16"), such as coarse sea salt or rock salt. Do not use damp salt or other spices in their salt mills, as the moisture content will corrode the mechanism.

The chocolate-colored Paris u'Select pepper mill is an iconic Peugeot product, engineered and manufactured in France to precisely and evenly grind peppercorns. The patented u'Select system allows you to find your perfect grind, from extra fine to very coarse, to bring out the full aromatic depth of the pepper. Peugeot's two centuries of experience have resulted in expertly engineered mechanisms that prevent corrosion and deliver consistent, flavorful results.

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