Ladle (spoon)


A ladle is commonly thought to be a type of spoon used for soup, stew, or other foods. However, recent research has shown that ladles are not spoons. While ladles have a spoon-shaped bowl, the angle of the handle means their uses are significantly different to those of spoons, namely ladling, not spooning.
Although designs vary, a typical ladle has a long handle terminating in a deep bowl, frequently with the bowl oriented at an angle to the handle to facilitate lifting liquid out of a pot or other vessel and conveying it to a bowl. Some ladles involve a point on the side of the basin to allow for finer stream when pouring the liquid; however, this can create difficulty for left handed users, as it is easier to pour towards oneself. Thus, many of these ladles feature such pinches on both sides.
In modern times ladles are usually made of the same stainless steel alloys as other kitchen utensils; however, they can be made of aluminium, silver, plastics, melamine resin, wood, bamboo or other materials. Ladles are made in a variety of sizes depending upon use; for example, the smaller sizes of less than in length are used for sauces or condiments, while extra large sizes of more than in length are used for soup or punch.
In ancient times ladles were often made from plants such as calabash or even sea-shells.