French Kitchen Tools

Cheese is a major part of the French diet, and can be made in household kitchens.

French food is one of the most popular culinary styles in the world, with a wide range of influences from other cultures. In France, kitchen equipment is known as la batterie de cuisine. There are several French kitchen tools that are specific to French cuisine, such as a crepe maker, pastry brush or zester. Many of these items are used all over the world, but are in most French kitchens for the cuisine.

Knives

Although sharp good quality knives are essential in any chef's kitchen, the most important knives in a French kitchen are the large chef's knife and a paring knife. The most common knives in a French kitchen also include a cheese knife, a mandolin (resembling a manual food processor), a french fry cutter, a meat cleaver, an oyster knife and poultry scissors.

Cooking Utensils

The French kitchen has many utensils as other kitchens such as a colander, mixing bowls, spatulas, cutting board or bottle opener, but there are a handful that are essential to a French kitchen for cuisine. These include a French press coffee pot, a garlic press, a mortar and pestle (for pestos, desserts and sauces), oil and vinegar cruets, a pastry brush, and a zester (particularly for desserts).

Pots and Pans

In France anti-adhesive pots and pans are very common, as are iron and copper materials. The most popular cookware brands include Mauviel and La Creuset. Specialized French kitchen tools besides a handful of standard pots and pans include an asparagus steamer, a chestnut roaster, a couscoussier (a traditional Moroccan pot to steam couscous in), a crepe pan, a Dutch oven and of course, a roasting pan.

Appliances

Kitchen appliances, also known as petit electroménager, are popular in France. Popular brands include Moulinex and Cuisinart. Although these may be common in other cultural kitchens, the French use many of these as staples to their household. These include a bread machine, an electric pressure cooker, a deep fat fryer, espresso maker, fondue maker, a yogurt maker, a vapor cooker (where food is cooked from vapor pressure), an immersion mixer (which provides the ability to chop foods, fluff egg whites, blend soups and beverages), and a raclette grill (ideal for pancakes, crepes, eggs, and so forth).

References

• Easy FrenchFood.com: List of Kitchen Utensils and French Cookware
• French Kitchen in America: The Well Stocked French Kitchen