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whisk

wisk /wɪsk/

verbnounB1

neutral

To beat or stir a liquid rapidly with a light, rapid movement, typically using a wire utensil, to incorporate air or blend ingredients smoothly.

Whisking is fast and energetic, aimed at introducing air (as in whipping egg whites) or creating a smooth emulsion (as in a vinaigrette).

The story behind the word. The word 'whisk' originally meant a small broom or brush made of twigs. In the kitchen, early cooks literally used a bundle of clean birch twigs to beat eggs. Over time, the name of the twig broom transferred to the wire loop tool we use today, and the verb came to mean any fast, sweeping motion.

Word relationships

whip: Whipping is even more vigorous than whisking, often done to create maximum volume in cream or egg whites, sometimes using electric tools.
beat: Beating is a heavier motion used to combine thick mixtures (like cake batter) using a spoon or paddle, whereas whisking is lighter and uses a wire tool.

fold: Folding is a slow, gentle, figure-eight motion designed to combine ingredients without deflating the air bubbles.

Commonly confused with

stir: Stirring is a slow, circular motion to mix liquids, while whisking is rapid and designed to incorporate air.

Word family

whisked (verb (past)): Beaten rapidly; or moved away quickly.
whisking (noun): The action of beating rapidly with a whisk.

Collocations

whisk vigorously
wire whisk
whisk together
whisk the eggs

Idioms & expressions

whisk away (to remove someone or something very quickly and suddenly)

Example sentences

"Whisk the egg whites at high speed until they form stiff, glossy peaks." A baking instruction for making meringue.
"The secret service agents managed to whisk the president away to a secure location as soon as the alarm sounded." Figurative use meaning to move someone or something away quickly.

Memory hook

Think of the 'whispering' sound a wire 'whisk' makes as it sweeps rapidly through cream. A rapid sweep that adds air.

When not to use

Do not use when gently combining delicate ingredients where you want to avoid adding air, which is called 'folding.'

Fun facts

Before the wire whisk was invented in the 19th century, recipes often instructed cooks to beat egg whites with a peach branch to impart a subtle almond flavor to the cake.