Preparing tea can be a true ritual in some countries, and France also has many enthusiasts. For this, accessories for making tea exist, and among them the tea spoon. Generally, spoons are used as a unit of measurement for a recipe in cooking, but what about tea? How do you choose your spoon and how do you measure your tea with this type of spoon? Follow the guide.
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Tea spoon: the different models
You can have three different types of tea spoons, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. They can be made of wood, stainless steel, porcelain, bamboo, etc. Let's take a closer look.
The measuring tea spoon
The measuring tea spoon usually has a long handle that allows you to reach the bottom of your tea tin or the bottom of your bag. The spoon is often rounder and deeper than a teaspoon.
The infuser tea spoon
Also known as a handled tea ball, this tea spoon allows you to pick up your tea from the tin or bag and brew it directly in the water. It serves as both a measuring utensil and an infuser. The infuser tea spoon is often found in the form of a tea tong with a rounded part made up of two inverted spoons with holes.
The matcha tea spoon
The matcha tea spoon is a bamboo tea spoon used in the Japanese tea ceremony. It is fitted with a long handle with a 90° curve at the end. It is used to measure the right dose of matcha for preparing a bowl.
The tea spoon: what is its capacity?
A tea spoon has a capacity of 5 ml, or between 2 and 3 grams, which is the equivalent of a teaspoon. We are talking about the teaspoon in France, and not the espresso spoon which is much smaller in some countries. In comparison, a tablespoon has a capacity three times greater than a tea spoon, i.e. 15 ml or the equivalent of 10 grams. Finally, a cup can hold 250 ml and a dessert spoon 10 ml.
You should count approximately 2 grams of tea per 100 to 150 ml of water. However, the measurements depend on the variety of tea you use, as black tea does not have the same intensity as green or white teas, for example. The aroma of the tea will come from the quantity of tea and the steeping time in the water, and using too little or too much tea can make all the difference.
Why choose a tea spoon?
The tea spoon allows you to prepare an individual cup, it is not recommended for a teapot with a large capacity. You can choose a set of tea spoons and use each spoon from the set for a specific tea. If you don't use the infuser tea spoon, you will have sediment in your cup, but it gives you a good measure.
An essential measuring utensil for tea
The tea spoon is a true measuring utensil that allows you to use the right amount of powder, flakes, or tea leaves. It is an alternative to the tea scale, even though the spoon does not take into account the intensity of the different tea varieties.