Graters are useful additions to your collection of kitchen utensils. They are versatile and can be used on a range of food products especially cheese and vegetables. From the preparation of a simple meal to an elaborate spread with delicate finishing touches.
Types of graters
Graters come in many different sizes and shapes. A grater with a coarse blade is ideal for grating apples for pie or chocolate for dessert. One with a fine blade grates parmesan for pasta or ginger for curry. A slicing blade lets you create even slices of cucumber for salad or potato for casseroles and, with the prickly-looking grinding blade, you can grind citrus peel for a tart or spices like nutmeg.
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There are all-purpose graters with multiple blades and there are specialised ones for specific jobs.
Hard-cheese graters are conveniently sized and fit neatly into your hand. They are designed for use at the table and to let you grate hard cheese such as parmesan straight over your meal. These graters are usually less suitable for softer cheeses like cheddar, which could easily clog the blade.
All-purpose box graters are the most versatile, and the type you use for grating larger quantities of food if you do not have a food processor. Box graters are most popular today as they offer you different grating options on either of their four sides for under $300. Some come with an attached storage container to grate the food into while others have a base, or simply collect the grated food in the middle while you rest them on a cutting board.
Flat graters are ideal for grating smaller quantities of food while cooking - just a little parmesan into the risotto, for example, or a bit of garlic and ginger into the stir-fry. They are generally lightweight, easy to hold and to clean, and take up little room in a utensils drawer.
Rotary graters tend to be bothersome to assemble and to clean, but are convenient for grating nuts, spices or pieces of chocolate, because you do not have the risk of cutting your fingertips while grating.
Caution!
Grating food requires the same degree of caution as cutting meat, filleting fish or any other food-preparation work that involves a sharp implement. Graters can easily shave the top off your knuckles if you are careless or grate slippery food right down to the end. Some flat graters have a protective cover or grating guard. Exercise safety in the use of graters for persons with disabilities with hand weakness, vision or mental impairment.
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SOURCE: Jamaica Gleaner
