Kitchen knives and their uses

 People from all parts of the world migrate to Australia, which has a multicultural society. Many Australians prefer to eat outdoors, and they enjoy spicy food. They eat a balanced diet that includes meat, vegetables, grains and legumes. People who cook need knives to cut, slice and dice vegetables and meat. It is impossible to cook without cutting the ingredients in the right size and shape. Chefs use a collection of knives, each serving a different purpose. The knives people use for cutting depend on their level of cooking skills. People buy kitchen knives in Australia, and with the right tools, they prepare delicious meals.

Types of kitchen knives

Chef’s knives

The chef’s knife is a versatile multipurpose knife that is used to do a variety of tasks in the kitchen. It has a sharp and broad blade that is ideal for dicing vegetables, slicing herbs, chopping nuts, and cutting meat, and it rocks on a cutting board while cutting. It does not help in cleaving meat bones and slicing bread. 

Paring knives

A paring knife is a small knife with a short blade. It is used for peeling, dicing, mincing and intricate cutting. People use it to devein prawns and deseed fruits. It is not suitable for carving vegetables or slicing bread.

Utility knives

A utility knife is a commonly used knife in the kitchen, and it is available with a straight and serrated blade. This knife is longer than the paring knife and shorter than the chef’s knife. It is used for slicing buns, chopping vegetables, cutting sandwiches and slicing meat, but it can’t cleave meat bones.

Slicing knives

The slicing knife has a long, thin blade with a round or pointed tip. It has a flexible blade that helps to cut thin slices of fruits and vegetables. It is suitable for making fruit salads or thin cuts of meat. However, this knife is not ideal for mincing, peeling and cleaving meat bones.

Cleaver

The cleaver is a heavy-set and thick knife which is also called a butcher’s knife. Restaurants and butchers use it to prepare meat. It helps remove the bone from meat like pork, beef or chicken and is also used to cut larger vegetables like pumpkins and melons. It is not used to slice small vegetables.

Vegetable knives

A vegetable knife is used exclusively for cutting vegetables. It is a straight-edged knife that is ideal for cutting, slicing, chopping, and dicing vegetables. However, chef’s and paring knives are also used to cut vegetables. A vegetable knife is not used to slice bread or cut and cleave meat.

Importance of using sharp knives in the kitchen 

Safety

The main purpose of a knife is to cut, and sharp knives are a safer option. A sharp knife needs less pressure, and the chances of losing control and injuring the hand are less. Forcing a knife to cut can make the knife skid.

Efficiency

Cutting with a dull knife is a big ordeal. People struggle with repeated motions to complete a cut. It also increases the time taken to complete a task. A sharp knife helps to cut quickly and allows people to work efficiently.

Better presentation

A sharp knife improves food presentation because the cuts look neat. Uniform cuts enable vegetables and meat to cook evenly and look good when served on a plate.

Most kitchen knives in Australia are made out of quality steel and have sustainable timber handles. A good knife helps people to complete the task quickly and saves time. Knives are essential tools in big and small kitchens and play a crucial role in preparing food.