Dessert spoon: is this device needed in everyday life?
I don't know a single person who doesn't like sweets. Desserts are a special ritual that ends a leisurely meal. In cafes and restaurants, a special device is served with the sweet dish. It bears the same name - “dessert spoon” and differs from familiar to us canteens and tea houses.
The content of the article
What is a dessert spoon?
A dessert device is not present in every home. It is suitable for scooping up thick or liquid food, not too deep, but voluminous. More often, people use tea utensils without realizing that they are less convenient due to their modest size.
A dessert spoon corresponds to the volume of two teaspoons in grams and milliliters.
Origin story
It is difficult to accurately indicate the time of its appearance. It is known for certain that a similar object for convenient absorption of food was used already in the 3rd century AD. Before this, people used improvised means to make it easier for them to grab food from a plate.
During the reign of Peter I, it was customary to visit friends and go on a visit with your own spoon. It was then that folding and combined instruments appeared. In the 13th century, metal utensils already appeared. Gold and silver instruments were provided for the nobility, while ordinary people used products made of tin and copper.
The main differences from the teahouse
A dessert spoon is a cross between a small teaspoon and a large tablespoon.The main difference is the size: it is larger and more voluminous, holding twice as much liquid as a tea cup.
In addition, there are other differences:
- shape – the scoop of the dessert utensil is round, the teaspoon is more elongated;
- depth - dessert is not too deep, it is not intended for transferring food, but only for absorbing it.
Among the differences, it is worth highlighting the placement of spoons on the table. In ordinary life, we do not attach so much importance to etiquette, but still the main points are worth knowing. A dessert spoon is placed on the set table only if the meal involves serving dessert.
It is placed on top of the plate. At the same time, the scoop looks to the left.
With the help of a dessert device, they eat everything related to sweets: candied fruits, pastries, cakes, candies, mousses, puddings and even fried eggs. Sometimes porridge is served with it.
Its varieties
There are quite a few types of devices. In fact, for each dish there is a separate type that has a specific shape. Let's look at a few popular options.
- For ice cream
Rectangular shape and rounded edges. Features a short handle. Allows you to easily scoop even melted sweet mass.
- For chilled drinks
To make it convenient to use it in a tall glass, it is equipped with a long handle. The scoop is usually oblong and narrow.
- For sugar
Short handle, square scoop and small size. The volume corresponds to a teaspoon.
- For absinthe
Special length and shape with perforation on the scoop. It is laid out on the edges of the glass and sugar is placed on top, then absinthe is poured into the glass.
- For fruit
A narrow and flat scoop, equipped with notches. With their help it is convenient to eat citrus fruits and melons.
- Cocktail room
A small scoop with a long handle is designed to stir the ingredients in a cocktail.
Dessert spoon capacity
Recipe books rarely record the volume of different foods that fit in a dessert spoon. It is rarely used in cooking. But if this particular device is at hand, knowledge about its capacity is still necessary.
It is important to consider not only the volume of the spoon, but also the density of the product.
Below is a table with popular products:
Product | Volume |
Sugar | 15 g |
Salt | 20 gr |
Water/milk/vinegar | 10 ml |
Vegetable oil | 11 ml |
Flour | 16 g |
Vanillin | 4.5 g |
Lemon acid | 12 g |
A dessert spoon is often an unusual item in the kitchen. It is even less common to find different types of it in a home environment. But in cafes and restaurants they are served with sweet dishes and fruits, so it is useful to know how to use it correctly and what it is intended for.