
How we pick our products
Without spoons, cutlery is incomplete. It is very important to have this kitchen utensil, because it will be useful for most meals, whether it is a starter, main course or dessert.
Spoons are also used for family meals, events and other types of gatherings. Even if you don’t want to host a fancy party and have all kinds of spoons, it is always necessary to have at least one spoon to help you eat all the food that you can’t prick with a fork.
In the following article, we want to tell you all about this kitchen utensil that we can easily find, you will know their prices, types, main features and where to buy them. We want to help you find the perfect product for you.
Summary
- A spoon is a kitchen utensil whose shape consists of a concave head and a handle. It is used for eating soft or liquid foods, for cooking, stirring, tasting and serving our preparations in a simpler way. On the other hand, it is an excellent unit of measurement.
- To cope with a meal or meeting at home, you don’t need to have a professional set of cutlery. Spoons are a very useful element both for cooking and eating. Learning to differentiate between basic, auxiliary and specific spoons will help you to use the most suitable one for your personal needs.
- Cutlery is a whole world, which makes the task of finding the right spoon a little more complicated. We recommend that you pay attention to how it is made; it should be made of durable material that you feel comfortable with and that matches your other cutlery.
The Best Spoon: Our Picks
A spoon is an implement that, as basic as it may seem, there is a wide variety of types and offerings available on the market. In order to learn to differentiate and compare the options, it is always good to have recommendations. In the following Ranking we will tell you about the four best spoons of the moment.
Buying Guide
The spoon has been helping us to eat our food for centuries. Over the years, different types, materials, sizes, etc. have been made. It is important to know the main characteristics in order to be able to choose a spoon model that adapts to what we are looking for. We will tell you all about spoons in detail.
What is a spoon and what are its advantages?
These implements not only help us in our diet, but also make our work easier when cooking and serving. There are spoons for every kind of food and even if you can’t or don’t want to have them all, it is always useful to know the advantages and disadvantages that this utensil offers us. Below, we will tell you more about them in detail.
Basic, Auxiliary or Specific Spoon What should you pay attention to?
Basic. The basic spoon is the most versatile of all. It generally refers to the soup spoon used at the table for eating liquid or soft foods. It could eventually help us to eat or serve desserts or salads, as a secondary function or in an emergency.
Auxiliaries. These are spoons that help us to prepare food, transfer it from a bowl to a plate, to stir, taste, strain or select solid foods preserved in liquids, among others. These spoons are larger in size, making it impossible to eat with them.
Specific. They are made for a specific task or food. For example, the spoon for feeding a baby or the special lollipop spoon for ice cream. These can vary in shape and size depending on what you want to eat. They are not indispensable, but they make it easier to eat special foods.
Basic | Auxiliary | Specific | |
---|---|---|---|
Types | Serving, table, salad | Serving, with holes or strainer | Coffee, dessert, measuring and baby. |
Uses | At the table | During preparation | In beverages or desserts. |
Shape | Round concave head with large space, Long and thick handles | Large and medium sizes, long handles, round concave heads, large square | Small sizes, Long and thin handles, Small, flat and/or round concave heads. |
Ideal for | Soups, pulses, purees | Draining French fries, serving spaghetti, serving soup, serving salad, stirring, tasting | Ice cream, mousse, caviar, coffee/tea, sugar, for sauces, draining olives or preserves |
Buying criteria: factors that allow you to compare and rate different models of spoons
Spoons can be really specific utensils. If you want to have a complete cutlery set, you have to consider each and every food that can be eaten with a spoon. In the following list, we show you all the details you need to know about spoons and their specific uses.
- Durability
- Finishes
- Materials
- Design
Shape
In some cases, it may be necessary to use a specially shaped spoon. Especially if we are talking about spoons for specific uses, such as baby spoons or spoons for people with eating or oral disorders. Here are the details of the main shapes and their characteristics.
Round. This is the best known shape of spoon heads. They have an elongated handle that can be thicker or thinner as required. This shape prevents food from being swallowed and makes it easier to eat. It is recommended for people who do not have a specific disorder or for larger mouths.
Flat. Flat or paddle spoons are used for specific foods such as ice cream or mousse as they allow a smaller amount to be swallowed and are more comfortable for these textures. This shape is also recommended for small mouths or difficulties in forming the food bolus.
Other shapes. The most typical are triangular or rectangular, this shape rather than helping to eat, are to pick up food from the lips in case of being used by a baby or having difficulties when eating. There are also small spoons for those who suffer from disgust and thus ingest less food.
Handle
Generally speaking, the spoon should feel comfortable, balanced and soft. We recommend choosing one that not only feels good in terms of weight and handle shape, but also matches the rest of your cutlery. It is also important to consider the purpose of the spoon. The most traditional handles are the following:
Normal. This is the one that most basic or specific spoons have. It is thin but thick enough to balance properly in the groove of your hand. It can be shorter or longer depending on its use.
Flat. When the handle is flat at the end, they are used in ice cream parlours or cafés to reach the bottom of the glass or cup. This shape allows you to move it firmly and make the most of what you are eating. They also tend to have a long, thin handle, for tall glasses or tall glasses.
Elongated. Generally used for cocktails or tea served in long glasses. The head of the spoon is very small as it is used to add sugar or simply to mix; while its handle is tubular. If the handle is thick, it is perfect for an auxiliary spoon; it helps in large containers and is easy to store.
Materials
Depending on the intended use of your spoon, we can determine the best material. Some are better at resisting heat, others are able to repel odours and are more or less difficult to clean. Steel is the favourite for basic and specific spoons, while wood is the best material for auxiliary spoons.
Plastic. Plastic spoons are usually disposable and for single use. They are not very resistant and break easily. There are also varieties with rigid plastic, but it is a material that does not withstand heat very well. They are ideal for parties with many guests or when there are no washing-up options.
Steel. Steel is the most elegant-looking material for cutlery, as it is shiny and durable. We generally see this material in table spoons, dessert spoons, serving spoons, among others. These are what we consider basic and are used for eating.
Wood. We see this material mainly in cooking spoons, because wood does not get hot and prevents your hand from getting burnt. They are also popular because they do not scratch the surfaces of pots or pans. Most wooden spoons are of the auxiliary type.
Silicone. It is a very economical material, which has many benefits. It is very durable and resistant, does not scratch surfaces, repels and neutralises odours. In addition, it is able to withstand high temperatures without changing its appearance or qualities. They are usually of the auxiliary type.
Design
The design of your spoons will not only help you to be more comfortable, but also to achieve the ambience you want when eating. We always recommend choosing a design that is similar to the rest of the cutlery, this way you will achieve a harmonious and elegant style. You can choose from these designs:
Modern. The modern style is a trend marked by being very useful, resistant and innovative. This design style combines elegance, fashion trends and ergonomic shapes that are very useful for the shape of your hand.
Classic. The classic style will undoubtedly give an elegant and glamorous look to your table. They are durable and beautiful on their own. You won’t need any other accessories, as this style of spoons and design will decorate your table by itself.
Decorative. As the name suggests, these spoons are made to attract attention. Although they are not as elegant as the classic style, they are natural, symmetrical and will help you create a romantic atmosphere and are usually made of natural materials.
(Featured image photo: hue12 photography / unsplash.com)