Now it's time for you to buy your very first Absinthe Spoon and you may be wondering what you should consider before you buy. There are so many styles to choose from it may be difficult, if not impossible, to make an educated decision on your first purchase. Here, we help you discover which of the many types will best suit you and your style. You'll discover the importance of the various designs, finishes and lengths allowing you to better understand this most essential piece of absinthe ware. So let's get started!


Choosing The Right Spoons Style

Spoons used in the Preparation of Absinthe are a unique and special design. They have a slotted or perforated head to allow water to flow through them. It will often have a raised rim on the top to better hold the sugar cube in place while water is added. To use the spoon properly, it is placed on top of your absinthe glass and a sugar cube is placed on top of the spoon. Water is then dripped over the sugar through the absinthe spoon melting the cube. As you slowly add water to your drink, you will notice the forming of the Louche. The louche is the milky, opaque color the absinthe takes on as the herbal oils and flavors begin to precipitate out of the highly concentrated alcohol. A proper louche is a sign of a quality absinthe and is considered by many to be an important aspect of enjoying any absinthe.

The Cuillere spoon shown below is designed to have its middle placed over your glass. This portion of the spoon is concave shaped to better hold your sugar cube. The Short Etoille style below has ridges on the head to hold your sugar cube in place as water is added and also has an indented area on the handle to more easily rest on the rim of your absinthe glass. As you become accustomed to drinking absinthe, you will find these features most helpful.

Spoons are available in short, medium and long designs. The long style absinthe spoons are the most versatile as you can use a long one for a short glass but you cannot use short spoons on a tall glass. As your Absinthe accessory collection grows, it is a good idea to have a few of each size. Below are two examples for you to compare. A long Cuillere spoon 7.5 inch (left) and a standard length Etoille spoon 6.75 inch (right)




Caring For Spoons With Premium Finishes

There are many finishes available for your absinthe spoon. We will discuss chrome, stainless steel, gold and silver.

Chrome or Stainless are probably the best finishes for every day use. These finishes are very durable and are usually dishwasher safe. They will withstand a lifetime of cleanings and still have a like new appearance. I highly recommend them for a first spoon or if you are using spoons for a party due to their durability.

If you want a spoon that will increase in value over time, a premium finish is the way to go. All absinthe spoons increase in value with age but the more expensive, thus rarer finishes, generally command higher prices. Gold and Silver plated absinthe spoons are very beautiful but definitely require additional care to maintain their premium finish. Premium finish absinthe spoons should never be put in the dishwasher. They should be cleaned with a soft cloth and warm soapy water. Abrasive polish must always be avoided as it may scratch the premium plating. You should clean your premium absinthe spoon with "Tarn-X" brand cleaner whenever possible as it has no abrasive properties. If your premium plated spoon has become stained and you must use an abrasive cleaner, use the "Tarn-X" brand Silver Glaze. It has very mild abrasives and will also leave a protective coating on the spoon to slow tarnishing in the future.

It is best to reserve your gold or silver plated piece for those special absinthe occasions and you must never use it for the "Flaming Method" of absinthe preparation. It should also be noted that as the spoon design becomes more intricate and the finish becomes more desirable, the price will increase dramatically. Below are a few special edition gold plated absinthe spoons.


Be they simple in form and design or wildly, wonderfully ornate there's no denying the Absinthe spoon is perhaps that one indispensable accouterments as prized as a Fine Absinthe itself. Just as there are many styles of absinthe spoons, there are many names for them. Here are a few of the more popular and well known absinthe styles to look for. All of them are available in different sizes and finishes. Cuillere, Epoque, Etoiles, Feuille, Fleche, Losange, Ouvragees.