Soup Spoon

Soup spoon is basically a large and rounded bowl-shaped spoon which is used for consuming semi-liquid or liquid based dishes, especially soup. The soup spoons are available in various sizes and shapes, which may vary as per the culinary usage, with the spoon being used either for consuming purposes or for serving purposes. The soup spoon set available commercially may contain spoons of the same type in different sizes for varied usage.

 

History of Soup Spoons

The soup spoons came into picture during eighteenth century, the time when various types of  bowls were available in different shapes like oval, deep, round, pointed and egg shaped. The shape of the spoons was standardized during the 19th century.

 

Types of Soup Spoons

Soup spoons are available in three types viz:

 

  • Western type- In this modern soup spoon type, the size and shape are quite similar to dessert spoon, which is a little smaller than tablespoon. However, the depth of the spoon is deeper and the shape is more circular, so that the liquid can be held properly, without falling. Traditionally, horn and wooden spoons were more common as compared to the silver or stainless steel type used presently.

 

  • Chinese type- this is a durable ceramic and flat bottomed type of spoon, which is quite suitable for usage in every kitchen. The size of the spoon may vary from the normal one to large platter sized spoon. The soup spoon set available in this type comprises of twelve soup spoons of Asian style, which are normally bright white colored and are made of good quality ceramic material.

 

  • Ladle- this refers to a big sized spoon, with  a vertical handle, normally used for serving dishes

 

Uses of Soup Spoons

The culinary uses of soup spoon are mentioned below:

 

  • Stews and soups are mainly eaten with the help of soup spoons.

 

  • At times, semi liquid food products like ice creams are also consumed with the help of soup spoons.

 

  • Big sized soup spoons having a straight vertical handle is used for serving purposes.

 

  • Soups spoons are also used for pouring the batter prepared for cakes and cookies into the baking dish, as the batter is extremely thin enough to be held with a simple spoon, having not much depth.

 

  • Heartier soups like gumbos and chowders, which are enriched with ingredients like shrimps, cheese etc, are best consumed with the help of soup spoons having a big bowl and long handle

 

Benefits of Soup Spoons

A few culinary benefits associated with soup spoon are listed here:

 

  • Eating a liquid based dish with the help of deep surfaced spoons would help in enabling the fluid to be held easily, without falling off.

 

  • Oval shaped soup spoons enable the broth based soup products to be consumed with ease.

 

  • The desserts or casseroles can be served in an easy manner with the help of soup spoons which are very big in size.  

  

References

For additional information on ceramic soup spoons, please refer ceramic soup spoon