Views: 0 Author: Ancheng Publish Time: 2025-07-28 Origin: Site
Spoon is one of the most fundamental and versatile utensils in any kitchen or dining setting. While it may seem like a simple tool, there are many different types of spoons, each with a unique shape, size, and purpose. From delicately stirring tea to elegantly serving soup or precisely measuring ingredients, the right spoon can make a significant difference in food preparation, presentation, and dining experience.
In this guide, we’ll explore 15 different types of spoons and their specific uses—helping you better understand how each one fits into the culinary world.
The teaspoon is the most commonly used spoon in homes and restaurants alike. Despite its name, it is used for much more than just stirring tea.
Small and lightweight
Typically holds about 5 milliliters (ml)
Usually made from stainless steel, wood, plastic, or ceramic
Stirring hot beverages like tea or coffee
Eating yogurt, pudding, or desserts
Measuring ingredients in cooking and baking (especially when labeled as a measuring teaspoon)
People often confuse teaspoons with dessert spoons. While both are used for sweet dishes, teaspoons are smaller and more versatile. Dessert spoons are larger and usually used for plated desserts like cake or ice cream.
pic: wooden teaspoon
Disposable wood teaspoons or bamboo teaspoons from Ancheng are ideal for cafes, parties, or catering where hygiene and environmental impact matter. They are sturdy, heat resistant, and compostable.
The tablespoon is one of the most essential and versatile utensils found in kitchens around the world. Larger than a teaspoon, it serves both as a cooking tool and a standard unit of measurement in recipes.
Often abbreviated as tbsp or T, a standard tablespoon holds approximately 15 milliliters (ml) or 0.5 fluid ounces. In cooking, this exact volume matters when adding spices, oils, or other key components to a recipe.
Holds about 15 ml of liquid or food
Often part of measuring sets in cooking
Usually comes in stainless steel, silicone, or bamboo
Measuring Ingredients: Essential in baking and cooking for measuring spices, liquids, oils, and powders.
Portion Control: Useful in diet planning for accurate portions of oils, sauces, and dressings.
Serving Tool: Sometimes used to serve side dishes, gravies, or sauces at the dining table.
Scooping & Stirring: Handy for stirring small pots or scooping from jars and containers.
Baking & Mixing: Great for mixing small batches of batter or dough in precise quantities.
When following recipes, it’s crucial to distinguish between the serving tablespoon and the measuring tablespoon, as their capacities may differ.
A soup spoon is a type of spoon specifically designed for consuming soups, broths, and other liquid-based dishes. Characterized by a large, deep, and rounded bowl, it holds more liquid than a standard teaspoon or tablespoon, allowing the user to sip comfortably without spillage. In Western cutlery, the soup spoon often has a circular or oval-shaped bowl, while in Asian cultures, ceramic soup spoons with flat bottoms and short handles are common.
Wide, Deep Bowl: Designed to hold a generous amount of liquid for each scoop.
Rounded Edges: Prevents sharp corners, making it ideal for smooth sipping.
Short to Medium Handle: Provides better control when lifting hot liquid.
Material: Commonly made from stainless steel, ceramic, or plastic; porcelain is popular in East Asian dining.
Soup Consumption: Ideal for all types of soups like chicken noodle, miso, creamy bisques, or hearty stews.
Broths & Stocks: Its deep bowl makes it perfect for sipping clear broths.
Ramen & Pho: Asian soup spoons are commonly paired with chopsticks for noodle-based dishes.
Desserts: In some cases, used for desserts like custards or rice puddings due to its rounded bowl.
The design of a soup spoon may vary significantly between cultures, but its primary function remains the same: to provide a convenient and spill-resistant way to enjoy hot liquids.
A dessert spoon is a medium-sized spoon, slightly larger than a teaspoon but smaller than a tablespoon. As its name suggests, it's traditionally used for eating desserts. With its balanced size and shape, it is a versatile piece of cutlery often found in formal and casual table settings. The dessert spoon typically measures around 7 inches (18 cm) in length.
Size: Intermediate – larger than a teaspoon (~6") and smaller than a tablespoon (~8").
Shape: Oval bowl, slightly deeper than a teaspoon for scooping semi-solid foods.
Material: Commonly made from stainless steel, silver, wood, bamboo, or other food-safe materials.
Designs: Often comes with decorative patterns for formal settings or sleek modern looks for casual dining.
Balance: Ergonomically designed for comfortable grip and control during delicate dining experiences.
Desserts: Ideal for eating mousse, ice cream, pudding, custards, and other soft desserts.
Fruit: Often used for fruit salads and small fruit servings.
Yogurt & Parfaits: A preferred choice for scooping layered or creamy foods served in bowls or cups.
Breakfast Foods: Works well with oatmeal, porridge, and cereal when a larger spoon is unnecessary.
Versatile Tableware: Also used as a serving spoon for condiments, sauces, or tasting in culinary environments.
Although they may look similar, a dessert spoon and a teaspoon serve distinct purposes. A dessert spoon is about 25% larger than a teaspoon, offering a deeper bowl and longer handle. This extra size makes it more efficient for eating creamier or chunkier desserts. In contrast, teaspoons are primarily used for stirring beverages or serving small bites. At formal dinners, dessert spoons are usually placed above the plate, horizontally, and are reserved exclusively for dessert courses.
A serving spoon is a large, sturdy spoon designed specifically for transferring food from a serving dish to individual plates. Unlike regular dining spoons, serving spoons are meant for communal use at the table or buffet, and they come in various styles depending on the food type (solid, slotted, perforated, etc.). Made from materials like stainless steel, plastic, or wood, serving spoons are essential tools for family meals, parties, restaurants, and catering services.
Larger Size: Typically 8–10 inches long, with a deep, broad bowl for scooping generous portions.
Durable Construction: Commonly made from stainless steel, melamine, or heat-resistant plastic to endure high temperatures and heavy use.
Ergonomic Handle: Designed for a comfortable grip, often with a non-slip or heat-resistant surface.
Bowl Shape: Comes in different shapes—rounded, oval, or slightly pointed—for efficient serving of various foods.
Variants: Includes slotted or perforated versions for draining excess liquid or oil.
Family Dinners: Ideal for dishing out mashed potatoes, pasta, vegetables, and salads from serving bowls.
Buffets and Catering: Used for portioning out entrées, sides, and desserts to guests.
Formal Dining: Often paired with coordinated serving sets for elegant presentation.
Picnics and Potlucks: Lightweight plastic versions are popular for outdoor or disposable use.
Restaurant Settings: Chefs and servers use heavy-duty versions for efficient food service.
Choosing the right type of serving spoon for the dish improves both presentation and functionality. For example, using a slotted serving spoon to serve boiled vegetables or marinated items helps drain excess liquid, keeping plates tidy. It’s also good etiquette to have a dedicated serving spoon for each dish to avoid cross-contamination and ensure hygiene, especially in shared meals or public gatherings.
The slotted spoon is a versatile kitchen utensil designed with one key purpose in mind—separating solids from liquids. Unlike a regular spoon, it features elongated slots or holes in its bowl, allowing liquid or oil to drain through while holding onto solid food. Whether you're lifting boiled vegetables from water or retrieving fried items from hot oil, this spoon is a staple in both home and commercial kitchens.
Slotted or perforated bowl
Long handle for safety
Made from metal, silicone, or nylon
Ideal for separating food from liquid
Lifting vegetables from boiling water
Serving canned fruit or pickles
Removing fried foods from oil
Draining beans or pasta
While both slotted spoons and spider strainers are used to lift food out of hot liquid, they are not interchangeable. A spider strainer has a wide, often basket-like mesh design that drains more quickly and covers a larger surface area—ideal for deep frying or retrieving delicate items like dumplings. In contrast, the slotted spoon offers more control and precision for smaller batches or serving.
A ladle is a large, deep-bowled spoon with a long handle, perfect for serving liquids. It’s an essential tool in both home and professional kitchens.
Deep round bowl
Long handle, often with a hook
Made from metal, plastic, or wood
Sometimes marked for volume
Serving soups, stews, sauces, and punch
Pouring batter into pans
Scooping chili or curry at gatherings
When choosing a ladle, consider the material compatibility with your cookware. For non-stick pots, opt for silicone or plastic ladles to prevent scratching. Stainless steel ladles are ideal for durability and high-heat resistance but may not be suitable for delicate surfaces. Additionally, using a ladle with a hooked or flat-ended handle allows it to rest securely on the edge of pots, preventing it from sliding in.
Iced tea spoons, also called parfait spoons or soda spoons, are long-handled spoons used with tall glasses. Their sleek design makes them perfect for mixing and scooping from deep containers.
Long, narrow handle
Smaller bowl for controlled stirring
Commonly found in retro diners or cafes
Ideal for layered drinks or desserts
Stirring sugar or lemon into iced tea
Reaching the bottom of milkshake glasses
Eating ice cream floats or sundaes
Mixing cocktails or mocktails
With the growing popularity of vintage aesthetics, iced tea spoons are making a comeback in cafes and bistros. Their elegant, elongated form pairs perfectly with artisanal beverages and desserts.
Also known as citrus spoons, these unique utensils are designed for scooping fruit from citrus halves with ease. They feature serrated edges to cut through membranes.
Pointed tip or serrated edge
Slightly curved bowl for scooping
Often made of stainless steel
Compact size for single-hand use
Scooping grapefruit, oranges, or kiwis
Digging out avocado flesh
Cutting through melons or stone fruits
Some use them to core tomatoes or strawberries
While a grapefruit spoon is a niche utensil, it greatly enhances the eating experience for citrus lovers. It eliminates the need for additional tools like knives, and reduces juice splatter and waste. If you regularly enjoy grapefruits or other segmented fruits, it’s a small but worthwhile addition to your kitchen drawer.
Measuring spoons are essential for any recipe, ensuring accuracy when adding spices, liquids, or dry ingredients. They're used universally in baking and cooking.
Standardized Sizes: Most sets include measurements such as 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, and 1 tbsp.
Material Variety: Made from stainless steel, plastic, silicone, or even wood.
Flat or Rounded Design: Flat-bottomed spoons can sit level on a counter; rounded ones fit easily into jars.
Engraved or Printed Labels: Measurement units are either engraved (durable) or printed (may wear off).
Baking: Essential for measuring baking soda, baking powder, salt, or yeast with precision.
Cooking: Helps portion out spices, herbs, oils, or vinegar during meal prep.
Beverage Making: Used for measuring ingredients in cocktails, coffee, or tea.
Health & Nutrition: Useful for portioning nutritional supplements or dietary ingredients.
DIY Beauty or Cleaning Recipes: Accurately measure oils, powders, or essential oils in homemade skincare or cleaning products.
In baking, even a slightly off measurement can ruin texture or taste. Measuring spoons allow for consistency, especially in sensitive recipes like cakes, pastries, and cookies where ratios are critical.
The demitasse spoon is a small, elegant spoon most commonly associated with espresso. The name “demitasse” originates from French, meaning “half cup,” which refers to the small size of the espresso cup it’s typically paired with.
Size: Approximately 3 to 4 inches long
Material: Usually stainless steel, silver, or porcelain
Design: Sleek and delicate, often matching fine china sets
Stirring espresso or Turkish coffee
Accompanying demitasse or espresso cups
Serving small desserts such as mousse or petit fours
In European cafés, serving an espresso without a demitasse spoon is considered improper. It's a nod to presentation, culture, and the tactile pleasure of a complete coffee ritual.
Baby spoons are specifically designed for infants and toddlers to promote safe, manageable eating during early development stages.
Size: Small bowl with a short handle
Material: Often made from silicone, plastic, or stainless steel
Safety: Rounded edges, BPA-free, and sometimes with temperature-sensitive material
Feeding infants soft or pureed foods
Training babies for self-feeding with ergonomic grips
Gentle on teething gums
Parents often face the dilemma of choosing between silicone and plastic baby spoons. Silicone spoons are flexible, gentle on gums, and heat-resistant, making them suitable for young babies. Plastic spoons, while durable and often less expensive, can be harder and might not be ideal for very young infants unless they are coated. Regardless of the material, always check for BPA-free certification and ensure the spoon is food-safe.
Also known as a pasta server, the spaghetti spoon is a practical utensil used to lift and serve long pasta like spaghetti or linguine without the mess.
Shape: Long handle with a claw-like bowl and a hole in the center
Material: Usually made of heat-resistant nylon, stainless steel, or silicone
Design: The hole helps measure a single serving of dry spaghetti
Serving cooked pasta
Draining excess water while lifting pasta out of the pot
Measuring pasta portions before cooking
At first glance, the hole in the middle of a spaghetti spoon may seem like just a drainage feature. But many spaghetti spoons are designed with a multi-functional hole that also acts as a serving size guide.
Here’s how it works:
The diameter of the hole is roughly the volume of one standard serving of dry spaghetti (about 2 ounces or 56 grams).
Simply place uncooked spaghetti strands through the hole until it’s full, and you have a measured portion.
This is especially helpful when cooking for one or two people or when you're trying to control portions for dietary reasons.
Sugar spoons are small, stylish spoons used specifically for serving granulated sugar, usually from a sugar bowl.
Size: Smaller than a teaspoon, but with a deeper bowl
Material: Typically silver-plated or stainless steel
Design: Sometimes features a scalloped edge or ornate handle for aesthetic purposes
Scooping sugar into tea or coffee
Accompanying a sugar bowl on the breakfast or tea table
Decorative use in tea sets or dessert displays
In British afternoon tea settings, sugar spoons often match the teapot and sugar bowl, reflecting attention to detail and hospitality. They're part of a long-standing etiquette that elevates the tea experience.
A salt spoon is a tiny utensil designed to scoop salt from an open salt cellar rather than using a shaker. It’s especially common in formal table settings.
Size: Extremely small (about 2 to 3 inches)
Material: Silver, stainless steel, wood, or ceramic
Design: Miniature and elegant, often paired with ornamental salt cellars
Dishing out precise pinches of salt at the table
Serving specialty salts (like Himalayan pink or sea salt)
Display use in charcuterie boards or gourmet dining
To fully appreciate the salt spoon, one must understand its partner—the salt cellar. These open containers have been used since ancient times to hold and serve salt, long before salt shakers came into fashion in the 20th century. A finely designed salt cellar paired with a matching salt spoon not only provided functionality but also represented refinement.
Understanding the different types of spoons and their uses is more than just culinary trivia—it enhances your cooking, dining, and hosting experiences. Whether you’re preparing a gourmet meal or setting the table for a formal dinner, the right spoon adds functionality and elegance to the process.
For businesses and consumers looking for sustainable, disposable options, wood and bamboo spoons provide a beautiful, eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic or metal cutlery.
At Ancheng, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality disposable wood and bamboo spoons tailored to diverse needs — whether for daily use, catering, restaurants, or special events. Our products combine the natural beauty of wood and bamboo with functional designs, ensuring your tableware is not only practical but also kind to the environment.
Get in touch now to request samples, customize your order, or learn more about how Ancheng can help your brand embrace green dining!
