kauhaa

Kauha is a Finnish noun meaning a large spoon or ladle used for scooping and serving foods, especially liquids such as soups and stews. In everyday kitchen use, kauha denotes a utensil larger than a dining spoon (lusikka) and is primarily associated with serving rather than eating. It is a common item in households, restaurants, and professional kitchens.

In cooking and recipe contexts, kauha is often mentioned when instructions call for portioning or dishing out servings. The related verb kauhaa means to scoop up or ladle. For example, Hän kauhaa keittoa kattilasta, translates to “She ladles soup from the pot.” The noun can appear in various inflected forms according to Finnish grammar and number, reflecting its role as a countable kitchen implement.

Kauha is considered a native Finnish term and sits within the broader category of eating utensils (ruokailuvälineet). It contrasts with smaller spoons used at the table, such as lusikka, and with other serving tools like large serving spoons or ladles designed for specific dishes. In some contexts, the word may be broadened to refer generally to a scooping implement, but its typical usage remains the large serving spoon or ladle.

See also: lusikka, ruokailuvälineet, keitto.