Basics: Spoons

It occurred to me that not everyone is familiar with the sizes of spoons.  I can remember when I was much younger thinking that a tablespoon was the sort that was put on the table to eat dessert with.  It isn't.  In a set of cutlery there can be several different sizes of spoons. 

1. A teaspoon - I think most people know what this is, it generally holds approximately 5mls.
2. Dessert spoon - this is the one which you put on the table to eat dessert or cereal with.
3. Soup spoon - this is a round shape and is usually very distinct from all the other shapes.
4. Tablespoon - this is similar to a dessert spoon but is much larger, you really wouldn't want to put it in your mouth.  It usually holds approximately 15mls.

There are sometimes other spoons as well, some sets include a cereal spoon which is larger than a teaspoon but smaller than a dessert spoon.  A grapefruit spoon is a similar size to a teaspoon but is elongated and has a slightly pointy end.  An ice-cream spoon is teaspoon sized but is squarer although there are spoons for tall ice-creams which are like teaspoons but have very long handles.

I would recommend the purchase of a set of measuring spoons for cooking - usually you can pick them up for around £2 - to ensure consistency of measurement as different brands of cutlery are different sizes.