In article >,
Miche > wrote:

> In article >,
> James Egan > wrote:
>
> > 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>
>
> Yes, I do, or I use a new spoon. The issue isn't enzymes, it's bacteria.

I never use a tasting spoon to cook with, even for food I cook for
myself. What's the big deal? I always keep a little bowl on the side of
the stove with a serving utensil in it so I avoid dirtying my counter. I
simply use the serving utensil to ladle place a bit of food onto a small
plate then I use a different utensil to taste the food. The tasting
utensil is usually the same one I use to eat with when I am ready to sit
down and eat a full portion of whatever it is I am cooking.