espátula

Espátula refers to a broad, flat-bladed tool used to manipulate substances in cooking, science, cosmetics, and art. In Spanish, the term covers several tools with similar blade shapes, including kitchen spatulas, laboratory spatulas, and cosmetic spatulas. The common feature is a flat, flexible or rigid blade designed to scoop, spread, scrape, or lift.

In culinary contexts, espátulas are used to scrape bowls, fold delicate mixtures, spread batters or icing, and flip or lift foods. Kitchen spatulas vary in shape and rigidity: flexible silicone spatulas are ideal for scraping bowls and folding; rigid metal or heat-resistant plastic turners are suited to flipping and lifting on pans or grills. Materials typically include stainless steel, silicone, nylon, or wood, with designs ranging from short, broad blades to long-handled spatulas for grilling.

In the laboratory, a spatula is a small, flat implement, often stainless steel or porcelain, used to transfer solid chemicals, scrape residues from containers, or level powders. In cosmetics, a cosmetic spatula is a small, flat tool made of plastic or silicone used to remove product from jars to avoid contamination.

In art, a spatula (palette knife) is used to mix or apply paint, producing textures and impasto effects. The word derives from Latin spatula, a diminutive of spatha, meaning a blade.

Care and maintenance: clean after use, especially with food residues; silicone spatulas may be dishwasher-safe, while metal or wooden ones may require hand washing and thorough drying to prevent corrosion or warping. Store in a dry place to avoid mold or rust.