Types of spoons

Usually by spoon we mean a small cutlery in the form of a flat handle and a small scoop at the end. This is true. Basically, all spoons have the same design. But their purpose may be different. So that at some event where strict table etiquette is prescribed, “not to fall flat on your face,” let’s find out what spoons even exist and what they are intended for.

What types of spoons are there?

Spoons are divided into two types - basic and additional. And if there is nothing special to understand with the main ones, then with the additional ones you can simply get confused.

Basic

The main types include:

1. Dining room. This is a familiar device that we often use for soups, cereals, and some sauces. Typically its volume is up to 18 ml of any liquid.
2. Tea room. We are used to using this device to stir sugar in tea or eat delicious ice cream. Sometimes it is used for desserts. The volume of a teaspoon usually does not exceed 5 ml.
3. Dessert. In size, this is the “golden mean” between the dining room and the tea room. In other words, it is twice as large as a tea room, and one and a half times smaller than a dining room. The volume of such a product is usually about 10 ml.

Additional

But here you need to thoroughly understand what’s what, since there can be a huge variety of additional devices. But don't despair in advance.Many spoons are not used when setting the table. However, if some very grandiose event with an abundance of dishes awaits you, then it is better to still try to remember what additional spoons exist and what they are generally intended for.

Decorative wooden painted spoon

Of course, you are unlikely to meet it at a party, but still this type of spoon has a place in our reality. As a rule, it is not used for eating, but is more intended for decorating the kitchen or as a gift. In general, of course, it can be adapted for anything (for example, for laying out salads). However, we should not forget that usually such spoons are covered not only with paint, but also with varnish, and this, you know, is a so-so factor for contact with food.

Coffee shop

Served at the table if the meal includes coffee - black or oriental. The design is practically no different from a tea spoon, the only difference is that a coffee spoon is, one might say, miniature. According to the rules of etiquette, it should be part of the coffee service. Volume - 2.5 ml of liquid.

For absinthe

This is a specialized perforated spoon for pouring this alcoholic drink. Why is it even needed? If you've ever tried absinthe, you may have noticed that it sometimes tastes bitter. To smooth out this drawback a little, sugar is added to it just before use. But in order for it to dissolve well, the drink must be diluted with water to slightly reduce the strength. Pouring absinthe in this case is a whole art. Place a spoon on the glass and a piece of sugar on it. Then, from the absinthe fountain, a thin stream of water is poured onto this very piece of sugar - and this is how absinthe is obtained, which has a slightly yellowish tint.

Bar or cocktail

So the question arises: why do you need spoons in a bar if you need glasses? It's simple. Bartenders use this device to mix different cocktails and drinks. The spoon has a long handle, twisted in the middle or completely. Its main task is to reach to the very bottom of the dish in order to get a properly prepared mix.

For the broth

It has a deep shape, quite complex. Most often, such spoons are decorated with some kind of decor (engraving, modeling), and in some restaurants they are made of ceramics. Let's just say that it is not necessary to have such a product at home, a dining room is quite enough, but if somewhere you were served just such a device with your broth, you will have to adapt and use it directly. By the way, this also includes a Chinese soup spoon, which is often made of porcelain.

Measured

Here, however, everything is clear from the name. These are special spoons on which divisions are applied (usually in grams). In other words, this is a kind of measuring device that helps determine the mass of any bulk products, for example: flour, salt, sugar, soda, milk, water, honey, vegetable oil, spices and other ingredients. Recently, such products have become very popular among athletes - with their help you can accurately determine the amount of protein powder that is included in sports nutrition.

For fruit

This includes many devices. As the name suggests, all of them are used for fruits or fruit cuts:

• with small teeth located on the edge of the scoop - for grapefruit;
• flat with a slightly concave edge - for kiwi;
• a slightly non-standard shape - for an avocado (instead of a scoop, something like a ring, inside of which there are sharp blades).

Such devices are served individually for each guest, and not for general serving.

For olives

This is a small spoon with a small hole in the middle so that the marinade can drain and the olive itself remains in the spoon. Features an elongated handle. According to the rules of etiquette, it is not at all necessary that every person at the table have such a device. It is enough to place it near a dish with olives so that those present can easily “transport” the snack to their plate.

Honey

But this device can hardly even be called a spoon. It is not at all similar to the product we are used to. It is usually made of wood and looks like a small mace with an oblong tip with slots on it. The handle is usually very long to make it convenient to get a sweet treat even from deep plates. Popularly, such a device is called a spindle. How to use it? Place it in a container with honey and twist it a little around its axis. Honey, especially very thick honey, will wrap around the end of the spoon, and thanks to the slits, it will not flow onto the table.

For caviar

Since a product such as caviar should not be served in metal (the properties are lost and the taste of the product is spoiled), a special small device was invented for it. It is usually made of mother-of-pearl, glass, crystal or wood.

For eggs

It looks very modest, almost primitive, but it is an amazing device. If you are an egg lover, then you will definitely appreciate this spoon. No, it is not intended for cutting eggs, it is intended for “catching” an already cooked product. It has a very deep scoop and a slot along the entire perimeter, which allows the water that was “captured” in the pan along with the egg to drain.

In principle, we got acquainted with the main types of spoons.But do you think that's all? But in vain, because there is also a spoon for watermelon and melon, oysters, spaghetti, ice cream, fondue, lemonade, salt, salad. How many more will they come up with? What unusual spoons do you have?