Matsked

Matsked is the Swedish term for the eating spoon, commonly referred to in English as a tablespoon. It is designed for ordinary meals and is larger than a tesked (teaspoon). In Swedish kitchens and recipes, matsked is also used as a unit of measure, typically defined as about 15 milliliters (one tablespoon), though exact capacity can vary by manufacturer or country.

The word matsked is a compound of mat, meaning food, and sked, meaning spoon, reflecting its primary use for eating.

Design and materials vary: matsked is produced in many materials, most commonly stainless steel as part of standard cutlery sets, but also in porcelain, plastic, or wood for specialty wares. The bowl shape and overall length differ by design, but it is generally larger and deeper than a teaspoon to accommodate the typical amount of food eaten in a single bite. In cooking and baking, a matsked may also be used as a measuring spoon when a recipe calls for a tablespoon.

See also: tablespoon, teaspoon, cutlery.