What Are Measuring Spoons?
To ensure cooking and baking recipes turn out well, it is important to accurately measure all ingredients. Measuring spoons and cups provide more precise tools to dole out components than standard flatware spoons and cups used to serve beverages. They are available in various sizes, materials and sets. Does this Spark an idea?
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Standard Sets
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There are normally four or five spoons in a culinary measuring set. These include 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp and 1 tbsp, with a 1/2 tbsp being included in some standard sets.
Expanded Sets
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Expanded sets include 1/3 tsp, 2/3 tsp, 1/2 tsp and 1-1/2 tsp spoons. Measuring spoons that are labeled with common recipe references are also available and include a drop (1/64 tsp), a smidgen (1/32 tsp), a pinch (1/16 tsp), a dash (1/8 tsp) and a tad (1/4 tsp).
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Materials and Shapes
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The materials used for measuring spoons vary. Stainless steel, aluminum and plastic are most popular, followed by silicone and ceramic. The bowls of spoons can be round, oval, flat, rectangular or square. Special sets have spoons that are shaped like hearts or other whimsical forms.
Specialty Spoons and Features
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Brands are available that have nonslip handles or magnetic implants in the handles to make them stick together for storage instead of keeping them bunched by the traditional metal ring. An all-in-one measuring spoon uses a sliding device to adjust amounts from 1/4 tsp to 1 tbsp.
Using Measuring Spoons
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To measure dry ingredients in measuring spoons, dip the spoon into the substance and level it off with a knife or other flat utensil. Avoid mounding dry ingredients in the spoon. Do not shake the spoon or tap it on a countertop, as this will reduce the amount of air in the mixture and distort the accuracy of the measurement. When measuring wet ingredients, be careful not to overflow the spoon.
Other Kitchen Measuring Tools
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To accurately measure larger amount of ingredients for cooking and baking, measuring cups also are needed. They typically include 1/4 c, 1/3 c, 1/2 c and 1 c sizes. More expansive measuring cup sets have 1/8 c, 2/3 c and 3/4 c sizes. Incrementally sized cups should only be used to measure dry ingredients and should be filled and leveled like measuring spoons. To precisely measure wet ingredients, use a glass measuring cup with liquid measuring marks on the side. A 2 c glass measuring cup can be used to measure amounts up to 2 cups and allows room to incorporate several liquids together before adding to them to the rest of the recipe ingredients.
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References
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