Soup spoon facts for kids
A soup spoon is a special kind of spoon that has a big, rounded bowl. People use it to eat soup. When we talk about soup spoons, we usually mean either the Western style, like the ones used in Britain, or the Chinese style.
Round soup spoons became popular during the Victorian era, which was a long time ago, in the 1800s. Before about 1900, sets of silverware didn't usually include round soup spoons. Instead, people often used a tablespoon for their soup. Some homes in Britain still use tablespoons for soup if their silverware is very old!
Different Kinds of Soup Spoons
Western Soup Spoons
The soup spoon used in Britain is about the same length as a dessert spoon. This means it's smaller than a tablespoon. However, it has a deeper, rounder bowl. This shape is perfect for holding liquid soup.
Today, most soup spoons are made from stainless steel or are covered in silver. But a long time ago, spoons made from wood or animal horn were more common. The idea of having a separate spoon just for soup started in the 1700s. Back then, spoon bowls came in many different shapes. They could be deep or shallow, oval, pointed, egg-shaped, or round. As time went on, in the 1800s, spoon shapes became more similar and standard.
It's interesting that the round soup spoon isn't usually used in most parts of Europe. There, people traditionally use an oval-shaped spoon for their soup.
Chinese Soup Spoons
Chinese soup spoons are usually made of ceramic, which is like a type of pottery. They have a very unique shape. These spoons can be different sizes. Some are about the same size as a regular soup spoon, while others can be much larger, almost like a small plate!
