Food - Drink
Stop Worrying About Cooking With A Wooden Spoon
By HALDAN KIRSCH
Wooden spoons are a kitchen staple thanks to their durability, versatility, and environmentally friendly nature. But wood surfaces have a habit of absorbing oils and liquids from whatever foods they come in contact with, which is one of the reasons that wooden spoons fell out of vogue during the 1990s.
However, a study conducted by the UC Davis Food Safety Lab concluded that bacteria do penetrate the surface of wood cutting boards, but it is not harmful because of wood's natural anti-microbial properties. The bacteria tend to stay embedded in the surface until it eventually dies rather than return to the surface to contaminate other foods.
Wooden spoons are safe to use, but like anything else, they still require proper care to stay that way, which is why should never be washed in a dishwasher and shouldn’t ever be soaked in water either. Wooden utensils should be allowed to dry in a space with good airflow for up to 24 hours to prevent bacterial infestation.