A wooden spoon is essential in every kitchen. It doesn’t scratch the bottom of pans and pots. It won’t melt in hot water or hot oil. It always has a neutral temperature. But is it safe? Some people think it might be unhygienic because bacteria can get into it. We debunk myths and explain if wooden spatulas and wooden spoons are the best choice for your kitchen.
Wooden spoons have been used in kitchens around the world for a very long time. In the past, plastic spoons and spatulas were not used because they couldn’t handle high temperatures. Wooden spatulas and spoons were and still are the best solution. It’s hard to prepare meals without them. They are among chefs’ favorite kitchen utensils. Sometimes, the use of wooden spoons is questioned. Some say that using wooden spoons and spatulas is unhygienic and can be dangerous to our health. However, it turns out that these concerns are exaggerated, and wooden spatulas and spoons are an ideal solution.
A spoon should be made from a hard type of wood. Then it is durable. It will last a long time. Excellent choices are spoons made from poplar, beech, oak, or bamboo. It’s worth having at least one such spoon in the kitchen because:
- A wooden spoon does not scratch soft surfaces like aluminum and copper.
- It also does not damage non-stick coatings. Neither ceramic nor Teflon.
- A wooden spoon always has a neutral temperature.
- When immersed in a dish, it does not cause thermal shock.
- It does not burn your hand. It is heat-resistant.
- It does not get damaged even at high temperatures.
- It has a neutral chemical reaction. It does not react with acidic foods.
The main criticism of wooden spoons is their porosity. Without a doubt, wood absorbs liquids like water or oil, because these are often used in cooking. But there’s one thing. Recent studies show that absorbed liquids do not come back out of the wood. Importantly, bacteria and viruses do not multiply in the wood. Therefore, spoons made from hard types of wood are absolutely safe and hygienic.