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Look up sieve or sift in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
In general, a sieve separates wanted/desired/needed elements from unwanted material using a tool such as a mesh, net or other filtration or distillation methods, but it is also used for classification of powders by particle size, or for size measurement as an analytical technique. The word "sift" derives from this term. A strainer is a type of sieve typically associated with separating liquids from solids.
Sieving
Sieving is a simple and convenient method of separating particles of different sizes. A small sieve such as is used for sieving flour has very small holes which allow only very fine flour particles to pass through them. The coarse particles are retained in the sieve and are broken up by the mechanical action performed on the sieve. Depending upon the types of particles to be separated, sieves with different types of holes are used. Separating tea leaves from tea is not considered as sieving.
Types of sieves used in cooking
- Colander, a (typically) bowl-shaped sieve used as a strainer in cooking
- Chinoise, or conical sieve used as a strainer, also sometimes used like a food mill
- Tamis, also known as a drum sieve
- Zaru, or bamboo sieve, used in Japanese cooking
- Flour sifter, used in baking
- Mesh strainer, or just "strainer," usually consisting of a fine metal mesh screen on a metal frame
- Spider, used in Chinese cooking
- Tea strainer, specifically intended for use when making tea
- Cocktail strainer, a bar accessory
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