Fruit and vegetable chopping knives
Vegetables and fruits have become an integral and important part of the daily diet. Very often they need to be sliced in order to prepare their dishes. Today you can find a wide variety of fruit cutting knives. Let’s find out what their peculiarity is and what kinds they are.
Contents
1 Features of knives for cutting vegetables and fruits
2 What are the varieties of vegetable knives
3 Universal knife for vegetables and fruits
4 zigzag knife for vegetables
5 Japanese vegetable knife
6 Thin-cutting knife family “Usuba”
7 Regional Japanese models
8 Recommendations for choosing knives for fruits and vegetables
Features of knives for cutting fruits and vegetables
It is quite difficult to give an overview of all types of cutting tools for cutting various fruits. They all vary in size, shape and purpose. This is their main feature.
Fruit and vegetable cutting knife
Vegetables and fruits should usually be cleaned and cut when used in different dishes.
However, any vegetable and fruit cutting knife should have the following parameters.
Dimensions. The cutter should not be oversized so that it is comfortable to hold in your hand. For most fruits you need a small knife, the exception may be large fruits and vegetables (pumpkin, melon, etc.).
Knives for fruits and vegetables are represented in rich variety.
Thin blade. This requirement applies to almost all knives for fruits and vegetables as the products to be cut do not have a dense structure and a thick blade is not required.
Also, a thin blade is much easier to remove the skin.
This kitchen knife, like any other, consists of a handle and a blade. The materials for their manufacture can be very different.
knife for chopping
The vegetable cutting knife has several varieties, differing in design, material of manufacture, orientation.
What are the varieties of vegetable knives…?
Vegetable knives are divided into 2 types:
for cleaning;
cleaning knife
Knife for cleaning fruits and vegetables
for cutting.
cutting knife
A knife that allows you to cut vegetables into thin slices
They are completely different in terms of blade type, shape and properties. However, any hostess needs both tools, as vegetables need to be cleaned first and then cut. There are other kinds of tools that can be used to beautifully slice fruits.
Highlighting knives:
for spiral cutting;
slicer for straw;
for slicing even circles;
wave-shaped edge;
forms for creating flowers;
machine for long spiral cutting.
Spiral cutting is obtained by means of a conical shape of the body in which the fruit is placed.
Universal knife for fruits and vegetables
It’s a must in the kitchen. The tool is suitable for cleaning, slicing and chopping fruit. Its blade is sharpened on both sides and has medium dimensions. It is a universal knife, which can be used even by a left-handed person.
Thanks to the thin and sharp blade, even soft fruits can be cut with ease.
Warning! For tomatoes, it is better to use a cutting tool with small prongs that can easily cut the skin without squeezing it.
A vegetable knife-zigzag allows you to cut the fruit so that its edges resemble a wave. This effect is achieved thanks to a special blade with a corresponding profile. Mechanical and electric devices are available, which include many additional functions. This multifunctional device is mainly used in catering establishments.
Vegetables and fruits will look beautiful if you cut them with wavy edges.
A more economical variant of this device for cutting fruits with wavy edges is a standard cutting tool with a modified blade. It looks like a small axe because the blade is wide and square in shape. The point itself is wavy.
The budget version of the knife for cutting vegetables with wave-shaped edges is a standard product with a modified blade.
It does not take up much space in the kitchen and is suitable for all kinds of fruits and vegetables.
The knife takes up little space, suitable for all kinds of fruits and vegetables.
Japanese Vegetable Knife
Santoku’s knife was loved by both housewives and professional chefs. It has an attractive appearance and has excellent characteristics. It is comfortable to work with, and all thanks to the balance of pen and blade. It’s easy to cut products with a Japanese knife. Another advantage is its versatility.
Santoku is a kind of universal chef knife.
The family of Usuba thin-cutting knives
“Usuba”, which means “thin”, can be rightly considered one of the main instruments in professional Japanese cuisine. In fact, it is, because the slices of vegetables it slices are almost translucent into light.
Usuba is quite massive and always long knives
“Usuba is a large long knife, mostly from 180 mm to 240 mm long, but sometimes also from 130 mm long. But its distinctive feature is not the size, but rather the ratio of the width of the blade and the handle.
The main feature of a usuba knife is a flat blade
“Usuba” is more like a small axe used for cutting bones. Their main difference is that the line of the shoe going down perpendicular to the cutting edge. However, they will not be able to cut the bones, a thin edge simply will not stand. A person without experience can damage the blade if you cut it incorrectly.
In order to cut well with this knife you have to make precise movements.
Another difference is that the handle has an elliptical cross-section and a side edge, and an unusually wide blade compared to the handle. It is not easy to get used to this cutting tool, but the result is worth it.
Japanese knives are the best tool that can be used in the kitchen.
Its large weight and very sharp blade gives a “straight” cut without reciprocating movements, which is considered the main feature of “Usuba”.
Japanese knives are famous for their sharpness, durability and faithful service to their master.
Regional Japanese models
These are mainly universal cutting tool models.
Japanese kitchen knives are very popular, which can be found in many kitchens around the world.
Hakusaikiri is used for chopping Chinese cabbage.
Kurimuki is a universal fruit and vegetable knife of small sizes, suitable for cleaning chestnuts.
Chukabocho – the main purpose is cutting of meat. It is a universal knife, called “Tai Tao” by the Chinese. Often cooks use it alone and in their work.
Kabochakiri is designed for cutting pumpkins.
Kyabetsukiri – a device for chopping cabbage, but already ordinary and harder, not Chinese.
Kawamuki – is indispensable when you need to clean and beautifully cut the vegetable, close to the analogue of a knife for carving.
Nata (nata) – structurally very similar to the European carving axe, necessary when cutting bamboo and wood.
Ninjikiri – cutting tool for shinking carrots.
Negikiri – a cutting tool for cutting leeks. It is a massive tool, which can be up to 300 mm long.
Japanese kitchen knives are renowned all over the world for their unrivalled sharpness, durability and convenience.
Recommendations for choosing a knife for fruits and vegetables
Even before buying the multifunction vegetable cutting knife, it is important to consider all its characteristics and some factors that affect the length of its use. Here are some recommendations for your choice.
A special knife for cutting fruits and vegetables will help in creating an unusual layout.
The blade should be made of strong steel, the best choice for this role is medium or high-alloy. The cutting properties of such a knife will be preserved for a long time, which is very important.
The coating is also important, as the tool is exposed to a damp environment for a long time. Anticorrosive coating is optimal.
To make the cutting tool easy to use, it is recommended to evaluate it tactfully before purchasing. It is better to choose an average width instrument which will not slide in your hand. Optionally, the handle has a rubber coating.
The straight blade product is easy to use for cutting, and the rounded profile is best suited to cleaning fruit.
Important! It is worth buying cutting tools of proven brands, whose models are made of quality materials, are not soaked in smells and have high strength.
This device perfectly removes fruit pelts, is safe to use and allows economical cleaning.
For comfortable work in the kitchen, any hostess needs a quality device with sharpening. After all, it is because of a blunt blade and wounds occur. Some knives for cutting vegetables and fruits in the form of various shapes, it is impossible to sharpen at home. In this case it is better to use the services of specialists.
High-quality knife with sharpening is a guarantee of comfortable work in the kitchen.