Many people say that the best things in life are small, and we were reminded of this recently while observing the different ways global cultures dine, a friend was travelling through the cafés of Melbourne and the bistros of Paris, and while he loved both cities, he also noticed a significant difference in the size of their utensils, many international diners refer to their "teaspoons" as the same size, but in fact, what is often considered a "teaspoon" by American diners is actually much smaller and resembles the petite elegance of what Americans call a demitasse spoons.
The difference in size of Demitasse and regular teaspoons led to a wonderful discussion on how American Utensils - and food portion sizes - have grown in size over the years. By wanting increased speed and utility, we've traded off the "savor every bite" of our food for the quick "eat & rush."
The Demitasse spoons represent our opportunity to return some of this elegance to our dining experience.
Although Demitasse translates to "half-cup" in French, referring to the very small 3 ounce cups used for strong espresso served after meals, these 3 to 4.5-inch spoons can be utilized for much more than just stirring sugar into coffee - they also serve as instruments of mindfulness, design and culinary precision.
At Inox Artisan, we believe that even the smallest utensil in your drawer should carry the same weight, balance, and handcrafted integrity as your main dinner fork. Whether forged in our rugged Antique finish or gleaming in Gold PVD, a demitasse spoon is not just a tool - it is a piece of jewelry for your table, below, we explore the sophisticated versatility of this tool and how you can use it to elevate your everyday culinary moments.
1. The Ice Cream & Gelato
When you consume dessert with a smaller spoon there is a shift in psychology. For example, if you served a high-quality gelato, thick chocolate mousse, or crème dessert with a regular table spoon or teaspoon your tendency would be to eat it very quickly, thereby missing the entire subtlety of the dish.
However, if you used a Demitasse Spoon it would completely change how long it takes to eat because of the smaller bowl - holding only a small portion means that you must take smaller bites resulting in your tongue experiencing more fully, the temperature and texture and complexity of flavour. It changes something from being a quick sugar fix to a true taste experience.
Hosting Suggestion - At your next dinner party try serving a "tasting flight" of three different types of sorbet or ice cream in small ramekins paired with a single Demitasse Spoon to each guest. The way it is presented is so sleek and high-end, similar to how Michelin star restaurants serve, but it does not require any cooking – just a lot of careful selection.
2. The Baby Spoon
Many parents have an appreciation of design, yet the introduction of solid foods typically results in bright plastic spoons and bowls which don't match their home's style. Surprisingly, one of the best options for introducing food to your child will be the original demitasse spoon, which has a relatively small size designed for small children. The demitasse bowl is just the right size to fit into a child's mouth as well as deep enough that it can hold any type of baby food or baby cereal well.
The demitasse spoon also adds a sentimental quality to feeding because unlike most traditional plastic baby utensils that can easily be thrown away after a few months, the Inox stainless steel spoon provides an authentic feel to your experience feeding your baby while also having a high level of strength and durability with a long-term value. When you feed your baby with a "real" spoon, it provides an opportunity for you to bond through the experience of teaching your child how to eat, a special activity that can easily become a part of your daily routine, and it provides opportunities for parents to create positive family memories during those moments.
3. Jams, Jellies, and Charcuterie
It is often said that a nice charcuterie board should consist of great accessories in addition to how good it looks on the board, you may see some great examples of charcuterie boards that have a wonderful arrangement of artisan cheeses and cured meats, but they are also sometimes ruined by the use of mismatched plastic spoons or oversized cutlery inserted into very small jars of condiments.
The perfect size spoon to use when serving the accoutrements of a charcuterie board is a demitasse spoon, because it works wonderfully in small jars of fig jam, whole-grain mustard, olive tapenade, and truffle honey, and it will give you just the right portion to put on a single cracker or piece of toast without being overbearing.
4. Sauces, Reductions and Vinaigrettes
The way sauce is placed on the plate separates the home cook from the chef when plating dinner, a rustic, family-style roast can have the sauce splashed on with a large boat of gravy, but when plating a more refined-style dinner there will be more precision in how the sauce is placed on the plate.
To create that precision, you can use a demitasse spoon as your ladle for finishing touches, if you want to drizzle a balsamic reduction onto your Caprese salad, for example, you would take your spoon and drizzle it onto the salad, you can use the same technique for spooning chimichurri on a sliced steak, and placing a dollop of crème fraîche on the soup, the small bowl of the spoon provides you with complete control over where the sauce goes. You can create neat and artistic plates, by controlling exactly where the sauce goes, you can add the needed flavor to the plate without flooding it.
5. Corn on the Cob & Finishing Salts
Our design team particularly enjoys using a communal salt shaker, which we feel is an elegant means of turning an ordinary meal into a celebration.
The charm is lost however, when using a traditional communal salt shaker, instead of using a communal salt shaker, consider providing an individual salt cellar at each guest's place setting that contains one of our artisan quality finishing salts, such as Maldon Flakes, Smoked Sea Salt or Pink Himalayan Salt, rather than the classic kosher or sea salt.
Partnering with the individual salt cellar, provide each guest a demitasse spoon, which allows the guest to sprinkle just the right amount of salt on their freshly cooked corn on the cob, baked potato or steak at the moment of eating, this tactile act is something guests appreciate, and it creates a metallic texture to your , table setting that cannot be achieved by using a traditional shaker.
6. Mindful Eating
"Mindfulness" is more than a wellness buzzword - it is a necessary antidote to our fast-paced lives, there is nothing more utilitarian and forgettable than rushing through a breakfast of yogurt or oatmeal with large, distractible mouthfuls.
We challenge you to try eating your morning yogurt or chia pudding with a demitasse spoon, the physical limitation of the spoon size forces a shift in perspective. You cannot rush. You must eat in units of small bites, giving you time to actually taste the granola, appreciate the fruit, and muse on the day ahead. It turns a standard breakfast into a 5-minute meditation.
7. The Coffee Ritual
We would be remiss if we did not mention the spoon’s intended purpose - the coffee ritual, in the era of the "home barista," many of us have invested in high-quality espresso machines and single-origin beans, yet, the experience often falls flat when a clunky teaspoon is jammed into a delicate ceramic espresso cup.
A standard tea spoons displaces too much liquid, often ruining the "crema" (the golden foam on top of an espresso shot) and feeling unbalanced in the saucer. A demitasse spoon is the technically correct tool, it stirs the espresso gently, integrating the layers of flavor without destroying the texture, if you are serving a Cortado, a Macchiato, or a Turkish coffee, the demitasse spoon is the essential final touch.
8. Sipping Chocolate
True sipping chocolate is not your average instant cocoa - it is a rich, robust beverage made from shaved chocolate whisked into hot milk until it reaches a ganache-like consistency, because of its intense richness, it is traditionally served in demitasse cups, an Inox Artisan demitasse spoon is the perfect companion for this indulgence, the weight of the handcrafted steel complements the density of the drink, whether you are enjoying a quiet moment alone by the fire or sharing a treat with family during the holidays, the spoon elevates the drink from a snack to a luxury.
Caring for Your Petite Flatware
Because Inox Artisan flatware is handcrafted, often featuring specialized finishes like Black Antique, Copper, or Gold PVD, proper care ensures these little gems last a lifetime.
- Rinse Promptly - Acidic foods (like the lemon sorbet or mustard mentioned above) can be harsh on metal if left to sit for long periods, we recommend rinsing your spoons shortly after use.
- Dishwasher Friendly - While our stainless steel is dishwasher safe, we recommend placing demitasse spoons in the silverware basket handle-down to ensure water flow.
- Polishing - For our mirror-polished finishes, a quick buff with a microfiber cloth before setting the table removes fingerprints and ensures they sparkle under your dining room lights.
FAQ
1 - What is the exact difference between a teaspoon and a demitasse spoon?
A standard American teaspoon typically holds about 5ml (1/6 fl oz) of liquid and measures around 6 inches in length, a demitasse spoon is significantly smaller, holding roughly 1/3 to 1/2 of a teaspoon's volume, and usually measures between 3 to 5 inches, it is designed specifically for small cups and delicate tasks, not general dining.
2 - What are demitasse spoons used for besides coffee?
As highlighted above, they are incredibly versatile, they are excellent for serving condiments on charcuterie boards, eating rich desserts like mousse or gelato, measuring pinches of spices, serving individual portions of finishing salts, or presenting amuse-bouche appetizers.
3 - Are Inox Artisan demitasse spoons dishwashers safe?
Yes. All Inox Artisan flatware is crafted from high-quality stainless steel intended for durability, they are generally dishwasher safe, however, to maintain the luster of specific artisan finishes (like Antique or Gold PVD) for decades, we recommend avoiding lemon-scented detergents (which can be acidic) and occasionally hand-washing to prevent surface abrasion from other cutlery.
4 - Can I use demitasse spoons for appetizers?
Absolutely, they are the perfect size for "amuse-bouche" presentations—single-bite appetizers served on the spoon, imagine a single seared scallop or a bite of ceviche served on a stainless steel spoon, they handle these delicate portions much better than plastic appetizer spoons and look far more elegant.
5 - Do I need a matching set?
While a matching set provides a cohesive look for a formal dinner party, the trend for 2025 is moving toward curated eclecticism, mixing different handle designs or finishes of demitasse spoons can add a charming, collected feel to your coffee station or dessert table, it gives the impression that you have collected these treasures over time, adding personality to your home.
The Final Touch
It is easy to focus on the big items: the dining table, the charger plates, the centerpieces but true style lies in the details, a set of handcrafted demitasse spoons adds a layer of intention to your home, it shows you have thought about the experience from the first appetizer to the final drop of coffee.
