Now that you have gone through some of our top-rated choices for soup spoons, here is a complete guide to help you choose the right ones!
Is There a Need for Soup Spoons in Particular?
Soup spoons are pretty popular among the masses, especially those who devour soup frequently. Why? Because they’re large enough and boast just the right shape to transfer the correct quantity and all the essential condiments from the bowl to your mouth.
Since it is vital to consume all the delicious condiments and broths in a single mouthful to enjoy the rich taste of the soup, almost everybody opts for these spoons! A tablespoon can also be used with soup but it can never offer the same convenience as that offered by the designated soup spoon. Plus, to enhance the gastronomical experience of devouring any food, good cutlery is a must!
Also, most soup spoons are manufactured from a material with poor heat-conducting properties, allowing you to easily use them with foods and broths that are supposed to be consumed piping hot. Using generic tablespoons or any other spoons has the potential to burn mouths if adequate caution is not practiced.
Types of Soup Spoons
The European and Asian variations are presently the main divisions for the types of soup spoons.
The European soup spoons
European soup spoons come in three types, including bouillon spoons, dinner soup spoons, and cream soup spoons.
Bouillon soup spoons
The bouillon soup spoons are round and shallow. They are more suitable for consuming clear, light, and broth-based soups.
Dinner soup spoons
The dinner soup spoons are oval and have a deep bowl. This type of soup spoon can handle thicker soup with more condiments.
Cream soup spoons
The cream soup spoons are also known as Gumbo spoons as these are deeper than bouillon soup spoons and shallower than the dinner soup spoons. These have a round shape and are more suited for sipping and chunky yet brothy items like chowder.
The Asian soup spoons
The Asian soup spoons are predominantly of two types: the Chinese and the Korean type.
Chinese soup spoons
The Chinese soup spoons are most often made of porcelain/ceramic or melamine. These spoons feature a deep oval build with a thick handle and are most often flat-bottomed. Such types of spoons can be used with thicker soup as well as items like dumplings.
Korean soup Spoons
The Sujeo or Korean soup spoons are commonly used as spoon-chopstick duos. This type of soup spoon features a long handle.
Key Considerations for Buying Soup Spoons
There are several factors to consider before buying soup spoons; some of the critical considerations are discussed as follows:
The serving size
The serving size refers to the amount of soup in each morsel. Whether you prefer devouring your soup in small sips or gulping down large amounts will determine your choice of soup spoons. The former should choose smaller soup spoons, and the latter should opt for larger ones.
Material
Soup spoons are manufactured in a variety of different materials, including hardwood, bamboo, plastic, porcelain, melamine, stainless steel, silver, copper, and glass.
The choice of material is individual. While several users prefer stainless steel soup spoons due to their multipurpose nature, others prefer bamboo soup spoons due to their environmentally friendly nature.
Appearance
The soup spoons are available in a variety of different colors and designs. Now whether you choose the basic mirror-polished silverware or the eclectic rainbow-colored soup spoon depends on personal preference and style.
Handle
The handle can also serve as a determinant of the type of soup spoons one chooses. There are a variety of different designs available for handles. While some handles are smooth and classic, others are more intricately carved and adorned with elaborate designs.
The length of handles is also an important consideration. Soup spoons with longer handles are preferable for the rather formal settings.
The Pricing Point of Soup Spoons
The price of the soup spoons varies a great deal depending on the type of material, manufacturer, and specifications. However, soup spoons can be purchased for as low as $1.
However, the nominally priced ones are often manufactured from low-quality materials, posing several health hazards. The mid-range soup spoons cost between $6 and $10 and often come in sets.
Almost all materials including stainless steel, plastic, melamine, silicone, wood, and porcelain soup spoons can be found in this range. The material used for manufacturing is often high-quality and food-grade. Certain antique and collectors’ edition soup spoons may even cost over $20.
Some More Buying Tips for Soup Spoons
Now that you are aware of all the necessary information on how to choose suitable soup spoons, here are a few tips to aid you in the process of selecting soup spoons:
- Invest in soup spoons with a hook or notch-like attachment on the handle, such types of soup spoons can rest on the side of the spoons without sliding down or being submerged in the bowl. Thus, making the experience less messy.
- If possible, look for soup spoons with carrying cases to enhance their longevity by placing them in a protective casing.
- Purchase silicone and melamine soup spoons for minors as they are less likely to cause any safety hazards.
- It is pertinent to choose dishwasher-friendly soup spoons so they are easier to clean.
