Tablespoon Meaning
Tablespoon Definition & Usage
A tablespoon is a standard unit of volume used in cooking and medicine, equal to approximately 15 milliliters or 3 teaspoons.
Examples
- "Add one tablespoon of sugar to the batter."
- "She stirred in two tablespoons of olive oil."
- "The recipe calls for a tablespoon of lemon juice."
- "Make sure to use a tablespoon, not a teaspoon, for the flour."
- "He measured out a tablespoon of salt for the soup."
A tablespoon is also a common type of large spoon, typically used for serving or eating larger portions of food.
Examples
- "She handed me a tablespoon to serve the soup."
- "Use a tablespoon to scoop the mashed potatoes."
- "The dinner table was set with knives, forks, and tablespoons."
- "Can you pass me that tablespoon from the drawer?"
- "He used a tablespoon to stir his coffee."
Cultural Context
The term 'tablespoon' has been in use since the 14th century. Originally, it referred to a spoon large enough to be used at the table for serving food. Over time, it also became a standard measurement for culinary purposes, especially in the United States and British recipes.
The Perfect Recipe
Story
The Perfect Recipe
In a small, cozy kitchen, Emma was preparing her grandmother’s famous chocolate chip cookies. She had been trying to replicate the exact taste for months but something always seemed off. As she gathered the ingredients, she realized that she might have been using the wrong measurements. The recipe called for one tablespoon of vanilla extract, but she had always used a teaspoon instead. It was a simple mistake, but one that had made her cookies taste slightly different every time. Her brother, Ben, walked in just as she was about to mix the flour. He was always the one who tasted everything first. 'Hey, Emma, are you sure you measured the sugar right? It looks like you used a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon,' he joked, pointing to the container of sugar. Emma laughed and shook her head. 'I think you're just hungry, Ben. But maybe you're right. I'll double-check the recipe.' She grabbed the measuring spoons and checked—sure enough, she'd been using the wrong one. She grabbed a tablespoon and scooped out the sugar, making sure to level it off this time. As she stirred the batter, she noticed the consistency was much better. 'A tablespoon really does make all the difference,' she murmured, smiling at her improved dough. Ben grabbed a tablespoon and dipped it into the bowl. 'Well, if the cookies turn out half as good as this dough, we’re in for a treat.' Later that evening, after baking the cookies, Emma finally understood the importance of precision. The cookies were perfect. She had made them a hundred times before, but this time, with the correct measurements, they were just like Grandma’s. In the end, Emma and Ben enjoyed their batch of cookies together, each using a tablespoon to scoop the warm treats onto their plates.
