Kitchen Tools: Spoons

Have you ever tried to cook a complete meal without using a spoon for stirring, dishing out or tasting your creation? Where would professional chefs and home cooks be without this simple yet essential tool? Come along with me as we explore the history of the spoon.

Spoons likely predate any known records and were probably invented in some form by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden! The earliest known documentation and discoveries were found in Sicily dating back to between 3200-2500 BC. these spoon were made from clay. In ancient Mesopotamia silver spoons were documented dating back to 2500BC. Spoons were also discovered in the medicine chest of the Egyptian queen from the 11th dynasty in Egypt from around the same time. Both Anglo Saxons and Vikings were well known for there wood carving abilities, and both of these groups produced wooden spoons for domestic use. Later carving wooden spoons developed into a sailor’s hobby. Carving filled time on long voyages and provided the sailor with items for trade upon returning to shore.

The wooden spoon, though simple in concept, develops a complexity that is quite astounding when one considers the wide array of intricate styles possible. Both regionally developed themes and the signature styles of individual masters abound with their cultures’ philosophies and symbolism. Consider the intricately carved love-spoon of Wales and places like Botswana where the wooden spoon itself represents the sharing of duties and knowledge.

Now primarily used for cooking, the wooden spoon is still highly loved and prized today by both home cooks as well as professorial chefs. When it comes to finding a hand utensil that excels at creaming butter and sugar together nothing stands out more than the wooden spoon! My personal-favorite wooden spoon feature is the fact these spoons, unlike metal ones, do not transfer heat well. Too often I have found myself unintentionally leaving the spoon I was using in the pot when stopping to fill a sippy cup or other mama assistance task. Too late, I find that the elapsed time is not the 10 seconds my “mama brain” is saying and find myself grabbing a now VERY HOT metal spoon. Thankfully, this insulating feature of my wooden spoons has saved me from tons of burns!

Also unlike metal spoons, wooden spoons do not scratch other surfaces. This makes them a great alternative for use with both non-stick as well as enameled pans. I find wooden spoons work especially well when it comes to making scrambled eggs on a hectically rushed morning. They provide all the upsides of a metal or plastic spatula without any of the downsides that come with these other utensils.

Another benefit with wooden spoons is the fact they do not chemically-react with acidic food in the way that metal utensils do. Nor do they melt, leach nasty chemicals or strange taste into your food the way plastic spoons tend to do, making wooden spoons a very versatile and practical kitchen item. Want another practical secret about the wooden spoons? If left in (some say resting on top) of your pot, it will stop your pasta from boiling over! That, if for no other reason, makes them something that should be found in every kitchen! After all, there is nothing more annoying then having to clean up pasta-water all over your stove in the middle of trying to get supper on the table and with hungry kids underfoot!

No item is a panacea for all situations, and wooden spoons have their share of reported detriments. Some people report the tendency of the wood to absorb certain smells if used in strong pungent dishes. I have found this to vary greatly depending on the type of wood used to create the spoon. Softer woods like soft maple tend to pick up smells easier than the extreme hard woods like bamboo. On the other hand, I feel wooden spoons have unfairly been given a bad rap for harboring bacteria. While in reality, a properly-cared wooden spoon has no more chance then your stainless spoons and way less than the metal spoons with decorative embellishments and intricate
wrapped handles to harbor nasty bacteria. The risk is even less with wooden spoons (technically grass-spoons) made from bamboo since bamboo is naturally both anti-microbial and anti-bacterial as well as being odor resistant. Creating an awesome win-win in the kitchen!

How do you properly care for a wooden spoon? They are easily cared for and maintained with coconut or mineral oils, as well as walnut, flax or hemp seed oil. Simply rub them down as needed, same as you would a wooden cutting board. Remember to give the oil time to absorb fully and seal out moisture and bacteria. This process provides a beautiful glossy sheen as well. Keep in mind—do not use any other vegetable oils to coat your spoons, as they can turn rancid and leach into your food during use.

With spoons made from woods such as maple and beech, I have found that over time the wood grain tends to raise up and puff after use in boiling soups or from long washings. In this case, let the spoon completely dry and restore it by giving it a light sanding. Apply a light coating of mineral or coconut oil to prevent the spoon fibers from staying or becoming more fuzzy and harboring bacteria. Another reason why I tend to favor the bamboo spoons is they don’t often have this problem. And remember, bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial.

If the spoon is already potentially harboring bacteria and or has absorbed smells, but you wish to try and extend its life for sentimental or other reasons, you can soak it in 1 part white vinegar and 5 parts water for several minutes followed by rinsing in warm water. Allow the spoon to dry completely (this may take 2 or 3 days) then follow the above restoring instructions. (Lightly sanding as needed followed by a light coat of oil.) Wooden spoons should never be placed in a dishwasher. It will cause them to swell and warp as well as crack, thus proving an area for unwanted bacteria to grow. Simply hand wash in warm soapy water and allow to dry.

Last but not least, besides being potentially the oldest tool known to man, there is nothing like cooking up a tasty meal or dessert with a wooden spoon to give you and your kitchen a homey and cozy nostalgic feel. Bring back those special memories of grandma’s kitchen and days when things were simpler and life was not about rushing out the door constantly. When the focus was about family, who more often than not were gathered around a big kitchen table enjoying and basking in the warmth and love of the place lovingly called “the Family Kitchen.” Want to bring some nostalgia back into your kitchen and create some great memories this holiday season? Check out our assortment of single wooden utensils and kitchen sets in our shop! They are created from durable anti-microbial and anti-bacterial, ethically-harvested bamboo. Our spoons come with an assortment of engraved quotes on the handles to encourage and uplift you on days when you need that little added reminder that even when life gets rough or a dish doesn’t turn out as you intended, “You Got This!” Spoons of Inspiration 5-pc Rustic Bamboo Utensil Holder & Spoon Set with Inspirational Quotes

Finding beauty in the simple things around us, the Homesteading Hen