Dear ladies, gentlemen and children, can you imagine yourself holding a fork everyday instead of chopsticks? According to the history this could have been a possible scenario. Let’s discover together the development path and usage of this must have utensil!
The history of forks
Bone forks have been found in archaeological sites of the Bronze Age Qijia culture (2200 BC–1600 BC), the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–c. 1050 BC).
Legend says that with enormous population growth in ancient China, forks have been replaced with more efficient device—chopsticks.
In the West, the first recording of the use of a fork as an eating tool only appeared almost 2,000 years later in Constantinople, during the Byzantine Empire (400 AD).
Which ones do you know?
Forks with 2 tines
No.1
Function: It is used to eat fruits in China and…snails in Europe! More generally, most of the seafood with a shell (like clams).
No.2
Function: Deli Forks have two tines designed for picking up slices of prosciutto and very thinly-sliced deli meats.
No.3
Function: Carving forks have two points designed for stabbing meat during the carving phase and turning it during cooking.
Forks with 3 tines
No.1
Function: This fork is for oysters. You may spoon or pick the flesh and even detach it if it hasn’t been completely done.
No.2
Function: This fork is used for pastries, cakes, which would be eaten in the afternoon. It will be served without any other cutlery because you will use the thick side to cut.
No.3
Function: Serving forks are used together with serving spoons. Serving Forks are larger than table forks and are designed for serving different types of side dishes.
No.4
Function: Salad Forks have an elongated shape that helps for mixing salads while they are being dressed and makes them easier to serve.
Forks with 4 tines
No.1
Function: Dessert fork has its left tine extra wide to provide leverage in cutting firm dessert, such as baklava.
No.2
Function: Fish forks simplify cleaning of the fish and makes it easier to eat. It has littles curves on the side.
No.3
Function: Table fork is the most basic type! In formal setting it’s usually used for meat entrées. Informally it’s used for almost everything: salad, dessert, pasta, etc…
Forks with 5 tines
Dear all, here I am asking you, when should we use this fork with 5 tines?! Let us know your suggestion in the comments below!
I hope from now on you won’t have any difficulties in choosing the right fork like Julia Roberts in the movie “Pretty woman”!
