Engineering:Lemon fork

From HandWiki
Short description: Utensil for serving lemons
Lemon fork (Towle Silversmiths, 1908)

The lemon fork is a small (4+ inches long[1]) serving utensil that is used to move lemon slices.[2][3] Lemon forks have three long tines, with the outside tines splayed;[4] ostensibly this arrangement helps to release more juice.[1] Lemon forks became popular in the last quarter of the 19th century alongside other specialized utensils, such as asparagus tongs.[5] One early 20th century cookbook called the lemon fork a "necessity" at the five-o-clock tea party.[6] At table settings, the fork was placed over the slice of lemon.[7] Unlike many specialized utensils, lemon forks are still used in the 21st century, primarily in the restaurants.[5]

A lemon fork can double as a pickle fork and may be used to serve cucumber slices, olives, butter cubes and pats, smoked fish, and cheese cubes.[2] One etiquette guide from 1966 stated that it is acceptable to use one's fingers to pick up lemon slices in the absence of a lemon fork.[8]

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