The History of Pepper Grinders

The modern pepper grinder was invented by the Peugeot company in France in 1842. Earlier versions did exist, but they were based on a mortar and pestle design. In contrast to these earlier models, the Peugeot pepper grinder allowed for less labor and featured nearly-indestructible metal grooves that could easily and efficiently crack the peppercorns. In fact, the design of Peugeot’s pepper grinders was so successful that they are still manufactured today! Modern pepper grinders are available in a variety of materials, including stainless steel, zinc alloy, ceramic, and acrylic. There are even electric pepper grinders that do all the work for you! The downside of these electric models is that they generate some heat, which could potentially affect taste.