Knives are one of the oldest tools on Earth, with early cutting tools dating back even before the dawn of humanity. Through the years, humans have evolved and perfected knife making. An essential in your kitchen, high-quality knives are needed for everyday cutting, dicing, and slicing.
With so many different kitchen knives out there, it can be confusing to tell them all apart. Keep reading for all you need to know about selecting the right knives for all of your cooking tasks.
The Different Kitchen Knives
Picking the right types of kitchen cutlery doesn’t have to be hard! Once you learn about each of the knives you need, you will always know which knife to grab for every job.
The primary differences between blades are length, width, and edge type. Knowing the difference between these features will help you identify every knife in your block.
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Classic Chef’s Knife
The most frequently used knife in your block is likely to be a chef’s knife. Versatile, large, and used in a number of different ways, the chef’s knife is the knife at the top of the food chain. You can use a chef’s knife for almost any kitchen task.
A chef’s knife is typically between 8-10 inches long, with sharp, smooth edges. The knife narrows at the tip, allowing you to maintain a quick cutting rhythm.
They are capable of any size task quickly, from chopping to dicing to slicing. A chef’s knife is perfect for getting your prep work done in a breeze.
Santoku Knife
Santoku knives are very similar to chef’s knives, and they can almost be used interchangeably. The differences are minor, such as material and blade shape. A Santoku knife will frequently have a hollow, textured edge, which helps prevent food from sticking to the knife while you cut.
The two knives both allow quick and versatile cutting. Selecting one or the other primarily comes down to preference.
Utility Knife
The utility knife is another all-rounder blade. As the name implies, these knives are great for all cutting needs.
Similar to a chef’s knife, a utility knife is a great multi-purpose blade. It is slightly shorter and narrower than a chef’s knife, and the blade is relatively straight, making it less efficient for quick chopping and slicing but more precise.
This knife is aimed at medium-sized tasks. The utility knife is perfect for when you need to cut something quickly and casually, such as slicing up fruit or herbs.
Paring Knife
A paring knife is a smaller blade, typically about 3-4 inches in length. They have all the versatility of chef’s knives and utility knives, but they are smaller and offer better precision cutting.
Their smaller size allows them to perform all numbers of tasks. They are well known for their ability to peel precisely, core produce quickly, and crush garlic with ease. They are also great for small meat and fish preparation, such as filleting fish and shucking oyster.
Because these knives are so useful around the kitchen, many chefs have multiple in their block. You get what you pay for with knives- quality is key! Www.messermeister.com has everything you need to know about purchasing high-quality paring knives.
Bread Knife
There is little worse than pulling a warm loaf of fresh bread out of the oven and destroying it with the wrong knife! If you don’t use the proper knife, your bread’s crust can get ripped up and the soft insides will get squished.
A bread knife is specifically designed for this problem. The saw-like serrated edges are unmistakable, and they are usually quite long to make sure they get all the way through the largest loaves. The serrated edge helps to ease the knife through the crust without having to apply tons of pressure (preventing you from crushing your bread).
If you ever make or buy fresh bread, it is important to keep a bread knife on hand.
Carving Knife
A carving knife is a kitchen essential. These blades look similar to utility knives but are long and extremely sharp.
The carving knife is designed to easily cut through different meats. When carving the turkey at the holidays or a chicken on a weekday dinner, a carving knife is ideal. It easily slices through the meat without sticking or tearing, keeping your presentation beautiful.
Cheese Knife
Cheese knives are very easy to recognize. Because cheese naturally sticks to standard knife blades, these knives have large holes in the center that keep the knife moving through the block.
There are many different types of cheese knives available, based on the different hardnesses of cheese. A standard cheese knife in a traditional knife block will likely be aimed at soft cheeses, though these knives work on just about any type of cheese! You can also buy cheese spreaders and mini cleavers for different types of cheeses.
Tomato Knife
Tomatoes, like bread, have a soft inside and a slightly difficult to cut outside. To avoid smashing your tomatoes and keep a clean cut, a serrated blade is best.
The goal is to avoid needing lots of downwards pressure. You do not want to squish out the seeds and fruit. A serrated edge works to cleanly saw through the skin of the tomato without destroying the center.
Stock Up Your Knife Set
A basic knife set should include each of these knives so you will always have the right knife on hand. From serrated to smooth edges, short to long blades, there is a lot of diversity in the knife industry! Using the right knife ensures that you will always have clean, even cuts, and beautiful food.
Buying quality knives will ensure you will make beautiful food for years to come! Take some time to invest in high-quality kitchen knives today.
