You Copper Kitchen Utensils have been used by people for many centuries. The most valuable property of these utensils lies in their antibacterial effect. The metal can fight with fungi and bacteria, preventing them from getting into food. In the old days, people stored the water in copper jugs in order to disinfect it. American scientists experimentally proved that copper metal successfully copes with strains of salmonella, as well as E. coli.
Food that cooks in copper utensils disinfects, preventing the occurrence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is not for nothing that copper is also for folk medicine to treat many diseases; the intoxication of the body, convulsions, ulcers, haemorrhoids, etc. By itself, copper utensils are safe. Copper, even when it enters the human body, does not accumulate, but is excreted from it. In addition to these, there are many other reasons that make copper kitchenware safe to cook and eat. Read on to find those!
What does History say about Copper Kitchenware?
History articulates strongly about the ability of copper to destroy pathogens. During the time of plague and cholera epidemics, people working and living in copper mines, and later in copper factories, remained healthy, while everyone around died by the thousands. Perhaps for these reasons, hospitals used to make door handles of copper – this way they could reduce the likelihood of the spread of infection.
Copper utensils appeared immediately after wooden ones and remained in our tradition for many years. Copper Frying Pan, Copper Glass, Copper Sipri, Copper Jug, etc.- all this was in good demand. And even now, in some families, food is cooked in copper utensils.
How are Copper Kitchen Utensils Safe for Cooking?
All kinds of copper kitchenware not just for a beautiful shine. One of the main advantages of copper is the best thermal conductivity among the metals to create, as well as high heat capacity. Copper has excellent thermal conductivity (385 W/(m/K)). For comparison, aluminum – 205 W/(m/K), stainless steel – 45 W/(m/K). Heat quickly spreads from the bottom of the dish to its walls.
Benefits of Copper Cookware
- Copper reacts very quickly to changes in temperature, which allows you to control cooking as accurately as possible. Compared to other metal cookware, copper cookware heats up faster. Uniform spread of heating on the copper vessel is also another important advantage.
- Many dishes that consume more time usually to cook take less on copper vessels. The cooking time decreases almost by 30%, and this permits you to hold more nutrients and vitamins in the finished meal.
- Copper utensils cool down very quickly, which is more than important for the quality of cooking. The process of heating such products should stopps in order for them to retain their taste and properties.
- Copper is able to oxidize with oxygen molecules, having a detrimental effect on E.coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus, even without the use of high temperatures.
- If you use a copper surface for cutting vegetables, copper will show its disinfectant properties. This quality comes to the notice of people many years ago and get appreciation in hot countries – food left in copper dishes could remain at room temperature all day and did not deteriorate. Therefore, when using copper utensils, the risk of intestinal infections reduces.
- Rumors about the dangers of copper in everyday life are greatly exaggerated. Suffice it to recall that for several centuries we have been using copper pipes from which water enters our homes. Up to 100 g o犀利士
f copper is contained in the body of each person, and the optimal dose of copper that we should receive daily is up to 2 mg. It is almost impossible to exceed this concentration even with the daily use of copper utensils. This microelement takes part in the natural metabolism. Therefore, it does not accumulate but is excreted from the body along with other waste products. - Moreover, copper, like silver, has an antiseptic effect. Even before the invention of antiseptics, many uses them to disinfect and prevent infections – for example, during a plague epidemic. In 2008, the bactericidal properties of copper gets recognition – according to the results of studies by the American Environmental Protection Agency.
Copper Utensils: The Choice of Professionals
Chefs at all times have chosen this metal as the most suitable for cooking. Copper heats up fast and evenly and retains heat for more time. Usually, these copper properties mean that a small fire is enough to perfectly brew coffee or bake a dish.
How To Care For Copper Kitchenware?
The benefits of copper utensils cover any difficulties in caring for it, and there are some.
- In the process of cooking, we recommend not to leave empty dishes on the fire, do not pour boiling water into a dry dish, use wooden spatulas and salt the water after boiling.
- Copper cookware darkens very quickly, especially when heats. In fact, you need to know a few simple things.
- You should not clean copper utensils with ordinary dishwashing detergents, bleach, powders and hard brushes.
- A hard brush will instantly scratch the copper, and it will not be possible to fix it later.
- Also, do not leave it wet – copper instantly oxidizes and loses its appearance. Today in stores you can buy a huge amount of very expensive cleaning products for copper. You should not buy them, it’s a waste of money, there are ways much easier and more economical.
- The best option is lemon and salt. Cut a lemon, dip it in fine salt, and rub it over copper. Before your eyes, it will instantly begin to brighten and shine again. Immediately rinse well under running warm water and dry quickly with a dry towel or cloth. This method will also clean brass perfectly, almost all copper utensils have brass handles.
- There is another simple and effective way to remove an oxide film from a copper product.
- Pour citric acid into hot water and lower the copper product there. After 5-10 minutes everything shines. More options: you can clean copper with vinegar and soda; rub the copper surface with ketchup (tomato paste), leave for 10 minutes and rinse. It is important to thoroughly dry the entire surface after cleaning.
Concluding Remarks
Copper utensils in everyday life are more necessary than harmful. Consequently, these provide a quality product – is an extremely useful thing in the household. However, the beauty of copper cookware is also one of the factors that make specialists choose it. Such dishes can decorate both home cooking and an elegant expensive restaurant.