The Essential Ingredient
Perfection of design never draws attention to itself. In the kitchen, as everywhere else, the simplest tools are often the most effective. Just think about how many uses your wooden spoon has.
The whisk, at its simplest, is merely a series of wire loops connected to a handle, and yet this tool serves many function and can be found in most Western kitchens. It is an essential tool in the creation of many dishes, and although technology has eliminated some of the more laborious whisking duties, most cooks and chefs wouldn’t go too far without their whisk.
Considering how challenging whipping cream, stiffening egg whites, creaming a mayonnaise or perfecting a béarnaise would be without a whisk, its rather surprising to think that its presence in kitchens goes back only to the 19th century.
Prior to that, wooden twigs would be bundled together to create a whisk-like implement, but the purpose of this was often to impart the fragrance from the wood (such as that from fruit trees) into batters and other mixes.
The metal whisk emerged from France little more than 100 years ago, and is still synonymous with classic and contemporary French cuisine.
The central purpose of a whisk is to introduce air into a fluid mixture, but different combinations of ingredients react differently, so a variety of whisk shapes have evolved over time.
Balloon whisks, with a wide teardrop shape, feature curved wires suited to the curvature of most mixing bowls. They are also known as Piano whisks, and are said to be best for whipping egg whites.
French, or Sauce whisks are slightly longer, and therefore more suited for saucepans.
Coiled whisks (a.k.a. Spiral whisks or Gravy whisks) feature a single curved metal tine, around which is coiled another piece of wire. This creates air in a smaller volume of liquid than the other variants, so is useful for converting pan juices into gravies.
Flat whisks, or Roux whisks, are shaped like a flat fern frond. When cooking a sauce with a roux base (flour and butter), the shape of the whisk allows scraping from the bottom of the ban as well as traditional whisking motions.
Ball whisks feature several straight wires emerging from a handle, each capped with a metal ball. Enthusiasts believe these whisks garner the same results as Balloon and French whisks, but with less effort required on the part of the whisker.
While nylon and plastic materials have become increasingly popular in the production of whisks, they generally don’t support the same vigour of action. The original metal version is still preferred by most chefs, and where non-stick pans require a less abrasive material, silicone-covered metal is recommended.
Hand beaters and electric mixers have taken much of the hard work out of traditional whisk duties such as stiffening egg whites and whipping cream, the whisk is still, and will likely always be, an essential tool in every kitchen.
While the range and variety can seem overwhelming, the most important thing is finding the whisk that is most comfortable for you and your uses.
The Essential Ingredient stocks a wide variety of whisks, sourced from around the world and manufactured to professional standards. To upgrade your whisk or to find out more, visit your nearest store now.
Tell us what you think