Spoon: Varieties and Choices

The name of the spoon's creator cannot be named - it has been lost over the centuries, but no doubt this cutlery was invented in ancient times and it is much older than a fork, which became widespread only in the 17th century. The age of the spoon is also confirmed by a large number of popular wisdoms, such as “a spoon is good for dinner”, “seven with a bipod - one with a spoon”, which people invented in ancient times.

A spoon is a kitchen utensil made of wood, plastic or metal. It serves to scoop foods and transfer them for further absorption. However, today the use of a spoon is not limited to this - it is known as a musical instrument, with the help of this cutlery, doctors often examine the throat and even make a cosmetic massage.

Any spoon consists of several elements:

• slurped - This is the basic working part of the spoon, which is used directly for scooping and moving the product;
• supported - necessary to hold the structure and manage it;
• jumper - connects the working parts with each other.

Spoon - this is one of the most popular cutlery, which is widespread throughout the world. If you believe the etymology, the definition of "spoon" comes from the "log", which means "deepening", "lowland", "ravine", although this issue is currently considered controversial. According to some versions, the word "spoon" comes from "lick" or "crawl."

The spoon was born much earlier than the fork. These archaeologists confirm that even in the III century BC. er people used items that resemble spoons in their form. Later spoons began to be made of baked clay — at that time they were shards with handles. After several centuries, noble materials were used to make this cutlery - the horns and bones of animals, wood, natural stone, sea shells, and even a nutshell. In ancient Greece and Rome, spoons were made of bronze and silver.

At that time, wooden spoons appeared in Russia, which are even mentioned in the “Tale of Bygone Years” of the XII century. Spoons are widespread, and it was considered good form to visit with their cutlery. At that time, there was even such a thing as a folding spoon.

In the Middle Ages, metal became the material for the manufacture of spoons - representatives of aristocratic families used silver and gold devices. In the 18th century, aluminum devices became very popular, since this metal was considered very expensive. Thus, at the court of Napoleon, during ceremonial receptions, the most honored guests were given spoons of this particular metal.

At the end of the 18th century, spoons took on an elliptical shape, close to the modern one.For the same period, heightened interest in Chinese and Japanese culture is characteristic. A huge number of items brought from these Asian countries instilled the interest of the inhabitants of the Old World to tea ceremonies - it was at this time that a teaspoon appeared. And after the Europeans discovered coffee, a coffee spoon spread. This is exactly how a large variety of spoons, their forms and materials used to make cutlery, originated.

Baroque made its own adjustments to the design of kitchen utensils - the handle slightly stretched out by the spoon. Presumably the reason for such changes was the fashion for such items as frills and wide sleeves.

In 1825, Saxony began to produce cutlery from Argentina - an alloy of nickel, zinc and copper. This metal is visually similar to silver, but it is several times cheaper. A few years later it began to be used for the production of spoons throughout Europe. Now the material is better known as Melchior and is one of the most sought-after spoons in the production to this day.

At the beginning of the last century there was a revolutionary discovery of stainless steel, which was the beginning of a new milestone in the history of cutlery. The addition of chromium increases the durability and durability of the material, while the risk of corrosion is reduced to almost zero.

It must be said that many legends and beliefs are associated with spoons.

So, in the Renaissance, it was decided to give spoons of Christ on any religious holidays - they were called apostolic.

From time immemorial silver spoons were given to children when the first tooth appeared. In tsarist Russia, spoons of this noble metal were also given when a child entered the gymnasium and by the end of their studies. In the first case, a dessert spoon was presented, and in the second - a dining room spoon.

Painted utensils made of wood has always been considered a good wedding gift. There was an opinion that then the house of the young will become a “full bowl” and the spouses will never face poverty and misery.

In Cambridge, students who received a low score in mathematics gave a huge spoon — this custom lasted until the beginning of the 19th century. The origins of this unusual tradition go back to ancient times, when in England it was customary to present a spoon as a consolation prize to the person who gave the worst result in any competitions and contests.

Cambridge is not the only university whose traditions are associated with spoons. For example, students of Kazan University right up until the beginning of the last century believed that in order to pass exams, all teaspoons in the house the night before the test should be put under the bookcase.

The famous Salvador Dali used a metal spoon instead of an alarm clock. He took the device in his hand, and put a plate of tin on the floor. As soon as the artist began to doze, the spoon fell out of his hands and knocked on the plate with a loud sound, this allowed the artist to quickly wake up and remember the dream he had. It is believed that this was what helped him create his best canvases.

Spoons are made from a variety of materials - there are tin, titanium, silicone, copper and plastic products. Among the most common these days are the following.

• Stainless steel - This is the best option for everyday use. Spoons that are made of this material are not rusty, easy to wash and do not dull over time. These products are of high quality, practicality and fairly affordable price.

• Chrome-nickel steel - Another good option, which over time does not lose its appeal.They are distinguished from stainless steel by a golden shimmering shine. Such cutlery is also used as everyday utensils.

• Aluminum - once popular, but today is practically not used for the manufacture of spoons material. The fact is that the appearance of the metal is not particularly attractive, moreover, such spoons easily bend and poorly washed. However, the cost of such devices is very low, which explains their popularity in the Soviet catering.

• Tree - such spoons today are more often used as a folk musical instrument, in the kitchen they can be used except as a subject of decor.

• Ceramics - this option is rather referred to as decorative and gift. The cost of such things is high, because as a cutlery they are used only in expensive restaurants, most often in Asian ones.

• Plastic - used for the production of disposable devices and hiking options.

• Silver - beautiful and expensive material that requires special care. If stored improperly, silver loses its color, darkens and can become scratched. In previous years, cutlery made of this metal served as an indicator of family status, a sign of the aristocracy of the family and financial well-being.

• Melchior - this spoon with its attractive appearance is quite capable of competing with silver. Over time, the metal darkens, while it is almost impossible to return it to its original form.

Depending on the destination spoons are very different, but conventionally they are divided into two groups - the main and auxiliary.

The main cutlery include the following.

• Canteen - This device is used for eating soups and other first courses, as well as porridge from deep dishes. The volume of a tablespoon - 18 ml.

• Dessert - it is used for the use of ice cream, cakes, pies, souffles and other desserts from small plates and ice cream bowls. These spoons can also be used when serving soups, but only if they are poured into bowls. The volume of the dessert spoon makes 10 ml.

• Tea room - as the name implies, such a device is needed for stirring sugar in a cup of tea, sometimes it can have dessert functions. The volume of the device is 5 ml.

• Coffee shop - indispensable for lovers to enjoy lattes and other popular coffee drinks. The volume is two times less than tea - only 2.45 ml.

Auxiliary spoons include such.

• Bar - it is characterized by the spiral or extended handle with a cone or spherical tip. Such a device is used to make cocktails, mix ingredients and take out berries and fruits. The ball is necessary for kneading the same berries or, for example, spices.

• Broth - A spoon is needed for eating liquid meals. Usually it has a rather complex shape. Such a device has become popular in Asian restaurants.

• For absinthe - This spoon is distinguished by a complex curly shape. Usually they put a piece of sugar on it and pour absinthe on top.

• For fruit - its appearance, this piece of kitchen utensils resembles a regular tablespoon, but there are notches along the edges, thanks to which it is convenient to pick out the flesh from kiwi and some citrus fruits.

• For olives - This spoon allows you to remove olives from canned goods with maximum convenience. Such a device has a long handle and a small hole for draining the liquid.

• Sauce - usually comes complete with a sauceboat, characterized by the presence of a spout and an elongated shape.

Let us dwell on the selection of products for meals.

Wooden devices, of course, very elegant, but as cutlery for daily use, they do not fit. These spoons absorb moisture, they are short-lived, and there are inconvenient ones. Such devices are optimal during fishing trips with fish soup, and in the conditions of city apartments it is better to give preference to other materials.

Aluminum spoons can now be found, perhaps, only at the cottage or with the grandmother in the village. Now for the purchase of such devices, not a single self-respecting hostess - they are unaesthetic and impractical, in addition, some experts have suggested the harm of this metal.

Stainless steel is the best option for everyday use, but be careful - Chinese manufacturers often use low-quality steel in production, therefore such devices can be at least short-lived, at most - dangerous to life and health.

Luxury cutlery is made from nickel silver, which is an alloy of manganese, nickel and copper. Typically, such devices on top are covered with gold or silver.

Exclusive kitchenware made from silver. Such devices are expensive, so it is important not to be mistaken with the quality of the dishes offered in stores.

We give some recommendations on the choice.

• Pay attention to the gloss of the spoon. Depending on the marking of the steel used, it may be white or grayish. The lack of gloss usually indicates that the steel has not been polished or has used a poor quality alloy.
• Examine the edges of the device, run over them with your fingers. If you notice unevenness and burrs - feel free to refuse to purchase, because the use of such spoons is not only ugly, but also unsafe for health.
• Spoons high quality bend should be thickened, otherwise they will be easily deformed if the user clicks on them.
• Hold the spoon in your hands, estimate its thickness. In accordance with the standard, it should vary from 1.5 to 4 mm, if the product is already - it is unlikely that it will last long in your kitchen.
• The important point is the punching depth.. If you have a device with an almost flat bread in front of you, then, with a high degree of probability, consumer goods from China are in front of you. Normally, the depth of cutlery should be 7-10 mm.
• Sniff it - you should not feel any foreign smell. Some spoons have a pronounced smell of engine oil - from the purchase of such products it is better to immediately refuse.
• Be sure to request a hygiene certificate and a certificate of conformity from the seller. The document should indicate the manufacturer, its address, as well as the name of the brand of cutlery - for example, the Pavlovskaya spoon.

In order for the spoons to serve you for a long time, you need to properly care for them.

Storage of stainless steel devices does not pose any difficulties - you just need to timely clean them from food debris, wash with special dishwashing detergents and use soft sponges. The use of abrasive compounds and metal brushes is allowed, they will not degrade the quality of products, but their appearance will become less aesthetic.

If such a spoon lay too long in salty water, then rainbow or dark brown spots may appear on its surface, which can be easily removed with a weak solution of citric acid.

Products with plastic handles look very impressive, but there is one big “but” - plastic quickly wears down, deforms and scratches, and dirt is often stuffed into scratches. To cope with the cleaning of such devices will help the dishwasher. It needs to be turned on for low-temperature modes, otherwise the plastic will lose its shape.

Caring for silver and nickel silver devices reminds care of jewelry. After each use, such devices should be rinsed in a soda solution (50 g per liter of warm water). From time to time, spoons should be processed with special cleaning pastes, solutions and napkins.

Alternatively, you can use folk remedies. Highly efficient ammonia - His 10% solution is poured into a bowl of water and immersed in cutlery for 10-15 minutes, then thoroughly washed and wiped dry with a rag.

Another interesting method involves the use of soda. To do this, dissolve 2 tablespoons of powder in 500 ml of water and put on the fire. As soon as the water boils, you need to throw a few pieces of food foil into it, and then put the spoons for 15-20 minutes.

There is an opinion that silver and nickel silver devices need to be cleaned with dental powder - this is a big mistake, because when using such tools microcracks appear on their surface and dirt gets stuck in them, as a result spoons lose their appearance. Strictly unacceptable use of chlorine-containing funds. This element accelerates the oxidation of silver many times, which makes cooking utensils not only ugly, but also harmful to the user's health.

On how to clean stainless steel spoons, see the following video.