One time on Usenet, James Egan > said:

> While cooking something like spaghetti sauce, I taste the
> sauce (or gravy) occasionally to test. My wife maintains
> that I should clean the spoon each time, because my saliva
> will adversely affect the sauce (or whatever). I understand
> that saliva contains enzymes and that their purpose is to
> break down food. However, I cannot believe that the trace
> amount of saliva on a spoon used to test the sauce will
> have any significantly adverse affect. It's not like I
> slobber on the spoon! Anyway, do YOU always wash
> your spoon after tasting? Be honest! <g>

I don't use my cooking utensils to taste test, I get a teaspoon
from the drawer. If DH wants a taste, he grabs a fresh teaspoon.
If I need to taste more than once, I get yet another teaspoon.
To each their own I guess, but I don't want my spit in everyone
else's food, or vice versa...

--
Jani in WA ~ mom, vid gamer, novice cook ~
"The ships hung in the sky in much the same
way that bricks don't" - D. Adams, HGTTG