Grinding apparatus

Grinding apparatus 1 for use in a spice or condiment mill such as a pepper mill can be made using a sintered metal process and avoids the more costly and difficult process of machining the component parts from single pieces of metal. The apparatus 1 comprises a pair of blades 7 and optionally impelling vanes above an externally toothed male member 3, mounted on a central shaft 9, inside an internally toothed female member 5. On relative rotation of the central shaft 9 and therefore the male member 3 to the female member 5 the condiment is crushed in a crushing zone 10 between the blades 7 and the female member 5. The male member 3 and female member 5 cooperate to grind the crushed condiment in a grinding zone 12. Spacer elements in the form of lugs 17 at the base of the male member 3 bear upon an annular surface 19 of the female member 5 preventing further contact of the toothed members.