Grind
Grinding breaks a food down into small, uniform particles using a grinder, mill, blender, or food processor. The result ranges from coarse to fine depending on the tool and how long you run it. Common examples include grinding whole spices into powder, coffee beans into grounds, and cuts of beef or pork into ground meat. The action shears and crushes the food repeatedly until it reaches the texture you want.
Cooks grind ingredients to release flavor and control texture. Whole spices ground just before use are far more aromatic than pre-ground jars, because grinding exposes fresh surfaces and volatile oils. When grinding your own meat, chill the meat and equipment first so the fat stays firm and cuts cleanly rather than smearing into paste. Pulse a food processor in short bursts and check often, since it can go from coarse to over-processed in seconds.
Cooks grind ingredients to release flavor and control texture. Whole spices ground just before use are far more aromatic than pre-ground jars, because grinding exposes fresh surfaces and volatile oils. When grinding your own meat, chill the meat and equipment first so the fat stays firm and cuts cleanly rather than smearing into paste. Pulse a food processor in short bursts and check often, since it can go from coarse to over-processed in seconds.