Normally we do not wonder about the use of such everyday instruments as the spoon. We find it very difficult to eat without using a utensil such as a spoon, but… When did the use of a spoon appear in history? How did it get popular? We are going to do a quick review of its history and use.
The use of some kind of spoon dates back to the time of paleolithic and the first traces of types of spoons were already found in the Neolithic. During this time they were mollusk shells that were used to drink liquids and also for some kind of measure. The name of spoon comes from the word Latin cochlear which means shell. In interior places where there were no shells, bones or a spoon-shaped stick were used.
For many centuries, spoons were not used on a daily basis as we understand today. The diners simply used their fingers to eat. The foods of that time they weren't too runny and they normally used flours to cook a kind of thick porridge that facilitated the use of the hands.
The spoon on the table
It is not until the thirteenth century that the use of the spoon reaches the table in a more conventional way. At this time he does it to help him serve liquids in bowls from which they will drink the food later. Later in the XNUMXth century the design of the spoons changes, consist of smaller y oval to be able to facilitate the introduction in the mouth and thus take of them.
The use of this is slowly evolving. At XV century the Italian and French nobility understand it as a refinement and adopt it in their banquets, it is not yet something daily but its use is increasing. At XVI century is a symbol of distinction and they begin to manufacture of silver and gold for the nobility and Gentry.
La spoon will become popular in XNUMXth century when each diner has his own. Spoons of different sizes and materials are made for different foods. All this is reaching the less wealthy classes and the production of spoons is more massive. In this way it reaches our days and opens the door to a wider gastronomy.
