Bushra Griffith
Cheese graters have come a long way since the first one was made out of pewter by François Boullier of France in the 1540s. Today, graters are made from a variety of materials, including bamboo, wood, and various metals, and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Bamboo, wood, metal, pewter |
| Design | Clowns' heads, plastic frogs, knuckle protectors, ergonomic handles, non-slip feet |
| Functions | Grating cheese, grating ginger and garlic, creating wood shavings |
| Inventors | François Boullier, Isaac Hunt |
| Invention Date | 1540s |
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Metal
Today, stainless steel is a popular metal used in the construction of cheese graters. Stainless steel is known for its durability and ease of sanitization, making it ideal for kitchen and food applications. For instance, the Jacob Bromwell® grater is made from 304 stainless steel and is guaranteed for life. Similarly, the Nonna's Cheese Grater, made in Italy, is constructed from heavy-gauge stainless steel and is advertised as a product that will last a lifetime.
Other metals have also been used to make cheese graters. For example, a handmade grater with hand-punched holes, made in England in the 1890s, resembles the first American cheese grater made from a metal shower drain. In the 1930s, Philadelphia cheesemonger Jeffrey Taylor created his own grater by sharpening the holes of a metal shower drain.
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Pewter
Boullier's original pewter grater is reportedly on display in a museum in Le Havre, France. Over time, cheese graters have been made from a variety of materials, including bamboo, wood, and various metals. However, pewter holds a significant place in the history of cheese graters as the material used in their modern inception.
Today, pewter is still used in the creation of certain cheese graters, such as charms and decorative items. For example, Chubby Chico Charms offers a cheese grater charm made from 100% American pewter, showcasing the material's enduring appeal in the realm of cheese graters.
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Wood
Cheese graters made from wood are often made from olive wood and stainless steel. The stainless steel is used for the grating surface, while the olive wood forms the structure of the grater. Olive wood is a popular choice for kitchen utensils because each piece of wood has a different graining and colour, making each grater unique. The grain of olive wood is also smooth, giving it a beautiful appearance and long-lasting durability.
While wooden cheese graters are available, it is important to note that most modern cheese graters are made from stainless steel. Stainless steel is known for its durability and ease of sanitization, making it ideal for kitchen and food applications. Jacob Bromwell®, for example, has been manufacturing its iconic cheese grater in the USA from durable stainless steel for over 200 years. Similarly, the first "modern" cheese grater was created by François Boullier in 1540s France using a pewter design.
The earliest known graters, however, date back to the early first millennium BCE and were made from bronze and silver alloys. These ancient graters were uncovered in burial sites in Greece and Etruscan Italy and were sometimes used to grate goat's cheese for a fast-breaking drink called Kykeon. Today, graters come in various shapes and sizes, with box graters being the most common. They are versatile tools used to process not only cheese but also vegetables, citrus peels, spices, and other soft foods.
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Bamboo
The natural bamboo handle of these graters provides a comfortable and secure grip, while the stainless steel grating surface is sharp and effective at grating hard cheeses. Bamboo graters are often designed with a container or box attached to collect the grated cheese, adding convenience and reducing mess.
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Plastic
One example of a plastic cheese grater is the rotary grater, which has a sturdy plastic handle that is comfortable to grip. This type of grater can be used to shred large amounts of food, such as potatoes, carrots, and cheese. The attachments of rotary graters are usually top-rack dishwasher-safe, but they can also be easily disassembled for sink washing.
Another type of plastic cheese grater is the box grater, which is the most common style of grater. Box graters are usually made of plastic with metal blades and feature a nonslip grip and feet. They are versatile and can be used to grate, shred, or slice various foods, including hard and soft cheeses, carrots, and zucchini.
While plastic cheese graters are a convenient and cost-effective option, they may not be as durable as other materials. Some users have reported that the plastic handle on their grater broke off after prolonged use. However, with proper care, plastic cheese graters can still last for years.
In conclusion, plastic cheese graters are a popular choice due to their affordability, versatility, and ease of use. While they may not have the same durability as stainless steel graters, they are lightweight, compact, and dishwasher-safe, making them a convenient tool for grating cheese and other foods.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese graters are made from a variety of materials, including bamboo, wood, and various metals such as pewter.
François Boullier of France and Isaac Hunt of England both claimed to have invented the cheese grater in the 1540s. Boullier made his grater out of pewter to grate hard cheeses, while Hunt wanted to stretch cheese by grating and melting it due to a shortage in England.
One example of an antique cheese grater is the Gilmore half-cylinder grater with a handle looped to the bottom rest extensions, made in the USA in the 1800s. Another is the Tala circular grater with square slots on the top, made in England in the early 1900s.
