Cheese Grater

What would we do without it? What kitchen would be complete if it was missing?

Somewhere along the line of history, the origin of the cheese grater has been lost. Somewhere back in history is a person who deserves the recognition of inventing one of civilizations greatest tools, the cheese grater.

You see, the thing about a cheese grater is that there is really nothing suitable to replace it. You can try to slice your cheese very thinly, but we all know that is just not the same. And then when you want to use a hard cheese like parmesan, it is impossible to slice.

However, like all famous inventions, there is always someone trying to improve on the original idea. Now you can buy a cheese grater with a variety of attachments. There are models with a bottle opener. Another has a can opener. This seems to me to be excessive. Why fool with a product that performs so well.

Now some of the variations do make sense. There are graters that can grate your cheese in a variety of different styles. Some make little strips of cheese. Others grate the cheese into particles like grains of sand. Still other cheese graters make the cheese almost like tiny balls.

Using a cheese grater is not without some danger. Every cook has taken the skin off his or her knuckles trying to grate that last little piece of cheese. Now you can buy what is called a rotary cheese grater. Put the cheese in the top, repeatedly turn the handle, and like magic you have lots of grated cheese. Of course, if you are really into using grated cheese, you can buy an electric model. Pounds of cheese can be turned into mounds of grate with a simple turn of the switch.

There are some cheese grater fanatics that get all excited about how the grater works. They sort of act like James Bond about his martinis – “shaken not stirred”. The issue is, whether the grater shreds the cheese or cuts it. I guess this makes a difference on the way Grandma’s spaghetti tastes.

Cheese graters are made all over the world. You can buy then in the traditional stainless steel but wooden types are also available. A grater in a combination of ceramic and metal can look very pretty in your kitchen. Experts say one of the best graters looks more like a carpenters rasp or file and makes the best grated cheese.