They might seem like mundane little throw-away objects, but a good wooden spoon is one of the most important tools in the kitchen. It is a natural product, it uses no electricity or batteries, and is easily stored.
The well used spoon in the bottom right of my photo, was without doubt my favourite spoon; hence it looking so well-used. Sadly it broke a couple of years ago (probably through old-age), and I have not yet found the perfect replacement. The picture shows just a selection of my collection in France.
I've been in desperate need of a new wooden spoon, and in recent months I've bought TWO new spoons (below), but neither hits the spot. The bowl is too big, the handle too short, or just the feel of the thing isn't right. My search continues.
I like wooden spoons. I expect most are made by robots these days, but I have several that were hand-carved. The manufacturing process doesn't make one better than another, but it's always good to see 'skill'.
These are the two I bought recently. The top one has a slightly over-sized bowl and a short handle, and the bottom one is made of very poor quality wood and needs sanding; it's unpleasant to use.
I do know of a nearby shop where my quest may be fulfilled. I shall let you know. I know you'll be anxious on my behalf.
I guess everybody has wooden kitchen spoons but I have never spotted another blogpost about them so well done! We must have ten in an old stone jar in our kitchen but I tend to use only three old favourites. I think if our wooden spoons were tested for bacteria, the results would be alarming.
ReplyDeleteI think every kitchen in the Western World must have an old stoneware jar filled with wooden spoons. Maybe there should be a census!
DeleteThey just don't make wooden spoons like they used to!
ReplyDeleteI suppose that must be the case. However, I shall make enquiries!
DeleteI know exactly what you mean. I have favourite wooden spoon too. Don't use the others.I also have a small red handled knife with a slightly curved blade. Had it years.
ReplyDeleteI think we all have favourite kitchen objects that others might find odd. My late mother-in-law always used a broken glass butter dish; she couldn't face parting with it.
DeleteHusband, thinking he was being helpful, scrubbed and scrubbed at my favourite wooden spoon, removing all the patina. He could not understand why I was upset.
ReplyDeleteThat's a hanging offense!
DeleteI don't use a wooden spoon as I have doubts about contamination ... all those bacteria being absorbed into the wood!
ReplyDeleteJust dip it into boiling water and all will be OK. Anyway, a certain amount of bacteria is good for you!
DeleteI have a wooden spoon nearly identical to your broken one which I guard with my life. No one is allowed to use it but ME. It's lovely and hand made by an artisan up near Bailey Island, Maine. He's still in business and I can send you the contact info if you're interested Cro. Not expensive, but the shipping cost might be prohibitive.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I'll find one in time, even if I have to visit an antique shop. I could of course whittle one myself.
DeleteMy wooden spoon receptacle is a hand thrown stoneware jug. I too have a favourite spoon, though it isn’t quite perfect.
ReplyDeleteAs to germs, I am in your camp and think a dunk in boiling water does the trick.
I don't think one should worry about germs. I've never heard any 'expert' advice concerning wooden spoons.
DeleteHow strange, only yesterday I was using my favourite and very well-travelled wooden spoon to stir the batch of vegetable soup I was making! It has an extra long handle - ideal for the 5 litre saucepan I was using. It's been with me for so long, I've forgotten where I acquired it. Might even have been a wedding present, which would make it practically antique!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a very well-loved spoon. I'm sure you would have sympathised with my own loss.
DeleteI'll send you half a dozen of ours! Throw out those ones you don't like. Don't make a collection of them like 'we' do. Someone might find their ideal spoon if you give them to a charity shop.
ReplyDeleteI have a favourite but it's not made of wood. It's made of some sort of heavy black 'plastic'. I've had it for years and it's wearing thin. From IKEA probably. When IKEA opened here 20 years ago we were frequent visitors.
Before prices went up.
I do like wood. In France I have several wooden plates; some of which are Olive wood. We also have wooden salad bowls, and several for Olives, etc. I like the feel of wood.
DeleteSometimes I wonder where Lady M features in your daily travails - and the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteSeriously? Wooden spoons? Dime to a dozen.
Get rid of the ones you don't like. One better: Don't buy those that don't fit your expectation/hand. Surely, by now - don't know your exact age (1948/49?) - you will have learnt all there is about wooden spoons.
If all else fails go to John Lewis.
U
I don't know if you are aware U, but it was rumoured that the Germans have little, or no, sense of humour. Do you think this could possibly be true?
DeleteGermans have a different sense of humour. As indeed do the English. I am now caught in the middle - having lived in England for most my life - Germans don't understand my adopted one, liberally sprinkled with sarcasm; English - on the whole - can't see beyond their own nose.
DeleteAs my mother said "Humour is when you laugh - despite of it". The 'despite of it' had me intrigued. What's the "it"?
You may like to watch the film "The Two Popes". Benedict (German) - in office - played by the incomparable Anthony Hopkins. Bergoglio (Argentinian), Benedict's chosen successor in conversation played by Jonathan Pryce. Whoever the casting director: Hats off.
The two couldn't have been more different. Both thoughtful. Benedict, the German, told who later became Pope Francis a joke. Future Pope Francis was flummoxed. Benedict aka Ratzweiler? Something along the lines of: "It's a German joke. It doesn't have to be funny."
Think about it.
U
I have a German friend with a wickedly English sense ofhumour
DeleteGood quality cherry or olive wood spoons are a real treasure and last decades.
ReplyDeleteI have several Olive wood spoons; even a tiny one! I don't know about Cherry as I'm not sure what it would look like!
DeleteI have no wooden spoons.
ReplyDeleteTo find a really good wooden spoon, you might need to check-out the thrift stores.
Or a junk shop.
DeleteI too have a stoneware jug full of wooden spoons and spatulas. Like you I have a favourite wooden spoon similar to yours, blackened with use, long handle and small shallow bowl and a favourite spatula which is very thin and flat. The others only get used when two pans at once need stirring. Nothing can beat the favourite one and I would be heart broken if it broke.
ReplyDeleteI knew I wasn't alone. That old blackened spoon of mine was worn-away at the tip through years of faithful usage. I miss it.
DeleteCan you give me that big spoon, I adore it’s shape
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely spoon, made from Lime wood I think. It was given to me by a Zen Buddhist lesbian friend in France, who had bought it in Nepal. It's a Rice Spoon. I've never used it.
Delete