Cutlery: types, brands, selection and care

Breakfast, lunch and dinner should bring joy to people - this is an axiom. However, success does not only depend on products, culinary skills, furniture and design, and on the mood of people. It is very important to choose the right cutlery that directly affects the psychological comfort during the meal.

By cutlery it is customary to mean the tools used for eating at the table. Depending on the material, these devices are used in an ordinary or solemn setting. Cutlery is sold both singly and in sets for 6 persons (or other number of eaters). The main tools are those that are used individually while eating. The tools used by many people play an auxiliary role. They are used to:

• slice;
• lay out;
• shift;
• sort products.

The main cutlery group includes:

• tablespoons and teaspoons;
• forks;
• chopsticks;
• table knives;
• fish knives;
• snack bars;
• dessert utensils (a set of fork, knife and spoon).

The dessert knife is approximately equal to the diameter of the dessert plate. The spoon should be slightly shorter. In this case, the fork is crowned with 3 cloves. Dessert knives and forks are used to serve:

Additional cutlery includes:

• butter knives;
• knives-forks and knives-saws;
• forks for sprats, for oysters and mussels, for lemon slices;
• lobster needles;
• spoons for salt, for salads;
• ladles;
• pastry tongs, nut tongs, for asparagus;
• scoops for caviar, for pate, for hot and cold fish dishes, for confectionery.

Of course, all these functions can only be fulfilled using cutlery made from the right material. Wooden or wooden-handled gadgets look very good, but they are not suitable for everyday use. The reasons are simple:

• inconvenience;
• tendency to absorb moisture;
• insufficient durability.

That's why a wooden spoon can be used for occasional celebrations or for fishing trips out of town. The home kitchen needs more durable and stable products. And aluminum devices have long been one of the candidates for this role. However, these tools are now hopelessly outdated. You can meet them only in isolated cases.

Most of these products are made of stainless steel. This alloy is called "medical" because of the minimal hazard of reactions with:

• acids;
• alkalis;
• salts.

The optimal grade is 18/10, which means the presence of 18% Cr and 10% Ni. This combination allows you to guarantee:

• high fortress;
• attractive gloss;
• resistance to aggressive environment;
• minimal risk of corrosion.

Elite stainless steel cutlery certainly doesn't. For their manufacture in the past, cupronickel was used (a combination of nickel with copper and manganese). The use of this alloy for kitchen utensils was discontinued in the 1950s. Nickel silver is almost the same cupronickel, but with the addition of zinc, and this alloy is softer than cupronickel.

Nickel silver cutlery is always made with gilding, with a silver layer or with blackening. And if consumers are looking for impeccable classics, then they should opt for silver cutlery. They are often included in exclusive kits. The lack of silver items (and gold, of course, too) is a significant burden. But if in the first place for a person his prestige and reputation of a respectable owner, the choice is obvious. If you just need to show your security, and the taste is not so fundamental, you can opt for gilded devices.

Copper utensils conduct heat very well and look extremely attractive. Under the influence of copper, the vital activity of pathological microorganisms is suppressed. But it is important to understand that when Cu comes into contact with vegetables, fruits (usually containing a lot of acids), the destruction of vitamins occurs.

Titanium cutlery is rare. This metal is highly prized for its extraordinary strength and resistance to destructive, corrosive substances. Other benefits of titanium utensils are:

• environmental and sanitary safety;
• lack of off-flavors from cooked food;
• zero risk of allergies;
• pleasant tactile sensations;
• external beauty (especially if the products are also anodized).

Tin cutlery deserves a separate discussion. Tin is completely safe and does not in any way affect odors and taste. Anything made of tin will not rust. Even changes in the tin surface (appearance of patina) due to contact with air look attractive. But everything that is made of tin will have to be very thoroughly cleaned, washed in hot water.

Porcelain can be a very good addition to the kitchen. When assessing their qualities, you need to knock on the surface of the object, determining the purity and melody of the sound.The color of good porcelain is crystal white, and only very cheap things have a gray or brown tint. High-quality material can last a very long time. But for this you will have to buy expensive cutlery supplied by well-known manufacturers.

In order to save money, most people prefer metal utensils. But even among it, a special "elite" group stands out - forged cutlery. They look as if they have just left a museum showcase or illustrations for special historical literature.

Various workshops and private practitioners offer forks and other household utensils according to the models of the XIV-XVI centuries. The overwhelming majority of such forks ends in two teeth, one-toothed is extremely rare. The specificity of a particular option is:

• features of the decor of the handles;
• placement of teeth and other elements;
• the length of the device.

But besides the material of the main part, the material of the handle is also important. Wood is used quite widely for the manufacture of handles for kitchen utensils. Dense woods are very beautiful and do not cool the hand as much as metal. They do not stick to blood and other fluids. However, only a few types of wood (very expensive) are resistant to mechanical damage. The best timber is wenge, hornbeam and Karelian birch.

Quite often in the budget segment there are cutlery with plastic tips. Basically it is ABS (according to the Russian classification - styrene-butadiene). Plastic is relatively strong and lightweight, does not transmit current, does not accumulate static electricity. However, such a product looks unjustifiably "cheap". You can also find matte cutlery with handles:

• bone;
• ceramic;
• made of organic glass;
• made of nylon rubber, acetate rubber, elastic thermoplastics.

Regardless of the materials, cutlery can have a very extraordinary appearance. Many design modifications are able to decorate any table with one look. But more and more designers have recently been focusing on practical characteristics. There are, for example, versions for children. They look so attractive that little ones do not have to be persuaded to take up food. Such unusual and stylish cutlery will surprise even adults outwardly, while they are completely safe for everyone who will use them.

But there are also more solid sets, the authors of which were inspired by completely different ideas. Exclusive sets in the ancient Egyptian style will definitely not leave people indifferent if they are made soundly and accurately. And even a single object can literally become a real masterpiece.

Beautiful elite spoons can be performed:

• stylized as shoes;
• in the spirit of high-tech;
• in the form combined with working tools;
• in a "bitten" form (looks very funny).

As a gift, engraved personalized cutlery can be a very good choice. Sometimes they are also made with individual congratulations, wishes or mottos. Sometimes this solution is even better than products with a name. A table accessory with personalized inscriptions can be useful as a gift for both young children and adults. It is quite reasonable to give such gifts to:

• weddings;
• anniversaries;
• children's birthdays;
• anniversary from the date of foundation of the company or occupation of the position;
• obtaining higher education.

If you want to buy stainless steel cutlery, you need to act very carefully. A number of manufacturers from Asian countries put stamp "18/10" for products made of metal of unknown composition. Another important consideration when choosing quality cutlery is shine of steel... It can have a white or grayish tint.In some cases, the design concept forces you to do things without glitter, but if this is not the case, then characteristic reflection should be... In such cases, the metal is either poorly polished or of poor quality.

They not only spoil the appearance, but also pose a health hazard. When choosing a fork, you need to look at the performance of its teeth, more precisely, the sections separating them. It is very difficult to treat these places properly, and in order to save money, many manufacturers do not carry out such processing or carry out it superficially. Neither the bluntness of the teeth, nor their unjustified sharpness is acceptable. Solid forks and spoons have a thick, curved part. This is important because otherwise, strong pressure may damage the product.

Spoons and forks are scored for their weight in the hand. They should be easy to use. Normal metal thickness is 1.5-4 mm. If the steel is too thin, it will last very little. You also need to look at the depth of stamping - an almost flat scoop of 100% means low-quality Asian products. The depth of an excellent spoon is 7-10 mm. When choosing a knife, you can give preference to products with both hardened and unhardened blades. The second option is cheaper, but such steel degrades faster.

Attention: no foreign odors should emanate from a good cutlery with a round, rectangular or other shape of the handle. Some sellers sell things with rich aromas of machine oil or even metal. This is a sure sign of poor quality and lack of practicality of a particular item. One more nuance - it is required to ask for certificates of conformity and hygienic conclusions.

The official certificate says:

• full name of the company;
• its legal and actual address;
• full brand name and product modification.

Important: similar, completely identical information should be provided on the packaging, on the receipt and on the price tag. It is advisable to purchase cutlery not one by one, but in sets. Then it is easier to reconcile them in appearance and close all functional positions at the same time. Connoisseurs advise you to carefully examine each product you buy. If you have any doubts, it is better to waste a little more time than buying a bad product.

In addition to general practical parameters, you need to pay attention to the place of manufacturers in the ranking. The most expensive items from leading manufacturers are made with gilding. So, buy a set for 6 people from Arthur price of england possible for at least 1 million rubles. A set for 12 persons will be even more expensive Empire Flame All Gold Clive Christian.

On the opposite pole there are stainless steel models. They are made by companies such as:

• Apollo;
• Eternum;
• Rondell;
• Pintinox;
• Mayer & Boch.

Russian firms give very good marks to products "Nytva". It is appreciated for its optimal cost / performance ratio. The assortment includes both standard sets and piece models. Consumers can also order souvenir items dedicated to a particular date, or dedicated to a specific topic. Connoisseurs note that things from "Nytva" hardly wear out, and the gilding on them is not erased.

You can also choose the British product of the Robert Welch brand. The brand is praised for its excellent wear resistance and suitability for the most discerning consumer. The company has a long history of producing quality products that have even made it to a number of arts and crafts museums. Robert Welch was one of the pioneers in polished stainless steel kitchen accessories.

You can save money when choosing products from the German concern BergHOFF. The corporate policy is focused on uncompromising quality and pleasant appearance of finished products. They are so good that it is extremely difficult to confuse these things with the kits of other companies. BergHOFF also makes original coasters that last a long time. Consumers note:

• the presence in the assortment of positions for every taste and wallet;
• ease of washing;
• reliability and efficiency of goods.

GGS Solingen is another German company. In various countries, its products are praised by Internet users. As befits a traditionally German corporation, GGS Solingen closely monitors the parameters of all materials used. A feature of the brand is that the same steel is used for cutlery as for surgical scalpels. Developers pay great attention to the design characteristics of finished items.

And you can also consider the products of brands:

• Herdmar;
• Cutipol;
• Zwilling J. A. Henckels;
• Gottis;
• Abert;
• Wuesthof;
• Fortuna;
• Boker;
• Gude;
• Rosenthal;
• WNK;
• VSMPO-Ural
• "Trud-Vacha".

But here's a set of cutlery selected and purchased. It is now important to take good care of them. Regardless of the material, you will have to:

• remove food debris, preventing them from drying out;
• use special products for washing;
• use only sponges or gauze rags.

A vinegar solution will help to remove stains left after a long time in salt water. Alternatively, you can use a dishwasher. Recommendation: to make life easier for yourself, you need to give up buying cutlery with plastic handles. At the junction of metal and plastic, a mass of dirt accumulates very quickly. Products containing plastic can only be washed in cold or warm (not hot!) Water. The same is done with instruments with wooden handles.

Designs based on nickel silver, cupronickel and silver are looked after in much the same way as jewelry. For cleaning, use a special paste or a solution of ammonia or baking soda. Of course, the most exclusive sets will have to be cleaned and washed as thoroughly as possible, strictly by hand. If the handle is made of ceramic, wood or porcelain, when washing, do not use water hotter than 45 degrees. Ideally, in general, you should limit yourself to 40 degrees.

Knives are washed separately from other kitchen accessories. Knowledge of these simple rules can significantly extend the life of the utensils.

For information on how to use cutlery correctly, see the next video.