whisk
WISK
wɪsk
A kitchen tool made of wire loops used for beating eggs or cream; (v) to beat with a whisk.
Implies a rapid, light movement to incorporate air.
The story behind the word. Originally, a whisk was just a bundle of twigs (often birch) tied together. The word comes from the Old Norse 'visk', meaning a wisp or bundle.
Word relationships
- beater: Usually refers to the attachment on an electric mixer.
Commonly confused with
- stir: Whisking incorporates air and is fast; stirring is slower and just mixes.
Word family
- whisks (noun): Plural form of whisk.
Collocations
- balloon whisk
- wire whisk
- whisk together
Example sentences
- "Whisk the cream until it forms soft peaks." Classic cooking
- "She managed to whisk the sauce into a smooth emulsion in just seconds." Action verb
Memory hook
A WHISK makes a 'WHIS-king' sound as it moves through the air. Wire loops for air.
When not to use
Don't use 'whisk' for heavy doughs; use a 'paddle' or 'knead' instead.
Fun facts
- Before wire whisks were common, cooks used a bundle of peach or apple twigs to flavor the batter while they beat it.
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