When it comes to choosing the best utensils for your kitchen, the age-old question pops up - brass or copper: which is better? To choose between brass or copper utensils is like choosing between cotton and silk or popcorn and peanuts; each has its own draws and drawbacks. Likewise, brass and copper have been the ultimate kitchen companions since ancient times due to their ease of use and Ayurvedic properties.
To help you choose the best cookware as well as dinnerware, it is first necessary to highlight the difference between copper and brass and how they add value to any kitchen space. In this light, here are the significant characteristics of both metals that make them distinct from each other.
Brass Utensils
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, inheriting their properties and, at times, enhancing them. It is an ancient metal that has ruled kitchens all across the globe due to its favorable cooking features, like excellent heat conductivity and remarkable durability.
In India, it is believed that the use of brass utensils dates back to the Vedic period when they were used as a ritual apparatus. They later found their way into the Indian kitchens where they now stay as an inseparable part of the cooking and serving tradition with utensils like brass kadai, saucepan, thali, bhagona, and much more.
Benefits Of Brass Utensils
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Good Conductors of Heat: Brass utensils can withstand high temperatures and spread the heat evenly allowing the food to be cooked perfectly.
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Sturdy & Durable: The utensils cast in this metal can withstand everyday wear and tear, giving you the ideal utensils you can use for a long time.
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Non-Reactive: Brass utensils are relatively non-reactive when covered with a tin coating called “Kalai” preventing the utensil from oxidizing from acidic ingredients like tamarind or tomatoes as well as sour foods like curd.
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Health Benefits: Cooking in brass has many health benefits. The food prepared in brass utensils has melanin, a compound essential for the well-being of your skin and hair. The zinc, which is an important alloy of brass, mixes with the food, providing additional benefits like a boost in hemoglobin count, purification of blood, and enhanced memory. It is due to these reasons that brass has been used as an Ayurvedic form of cooking.
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Cooking Benefits: The food cooked in brass retains 93% of the natural nutrients, like vitamins and minerals. It also releases natural oils that add to the flavors and taste of the dish.
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Visual Appeal: The golden appearance of brass utensils is a traditional favorite that can bring a touch of refinement to any place.
Copper Utensils
Copper is one of the oldest metals known to man. The proof of its existence traces back thousands of years, right at the beginning of human civilization, where it was used in all kinds of tools - from weapons to drinking pots, glasses, jugs, trays, and plates. It is among the few metals to be mentioned in Rigveda, one of the oldest Hindu texts.
Copper utensils are popular for their versatility and health benefits which make them an essential part of the Indian household. Copper water, especially, has been used for generations for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Vessels and pots cast in this metal are a common sight in kitchens as well as living rooms across the country. Along with that, the utensils made from this metal have the perfect characteristics for culinary use.
Benefits of Copper Utensils
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Excellent Conductor of Heat: Copper makes ideal cooking utensils due to its exceptional heat conductivity. The copper utensils heat up quickly and evenly, allowing perfect cooking conditions.
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Long-Lasting: Being a strong and durable metal, copper makes some of the most sturdy utensils that can be used for generations.
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Immense Health Benefits: Copper utensils are known for their numerous characteristics that make them a healthy substitute for utensils made of other materials. The utensils are proven to show antibacterial properties, killing 97% of the bacteria and viruses in the water. Furthermore, the food cooked in copper vessels improves digestion, boosts metabolism and increases collagen in the body which is good for weight loss.
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Copper Water: When the water is kept in a copper vessel for 6-8 hours, its copper amount increases which makes it beneficial for the immune system as well as detoxifying the body.
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Environmental Friendly: Copper utensils are natural and sustainable since copper is recyclable. The utensils made from copper can also be recycled at the end of their lives.
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Visually Beautiful: The reddish brown tint of copper vessels adds a traditional touch to any space.
Brass Vs. Copper: A Comparison Of Brass & Copper Utensils
Brass and copper utensils come with their own set of distinctions that make them unique. Here’s a list of differences between copper and brass.
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Criteria |
Brass |
Copper |
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Appearance |
Brass utensils are generally dull golden. |
Has a warm orange-brown shade. |
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Heat Conductivity |
Has excellent heat conductivity. |
Is a better conductor of heat than brass. |
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Durability |
It is more durable since it is an alloy of copper and zinc. |
Very sturdy metal that makes long-lasting utensils. |
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Health Benefits |
Cooking in brass helps retain 97% of the essential nutrients present in the dish. The zinc in brass purifies the blood, boosts hemoglobin count, and increases memory. |
The food or water that is rich in copper builds the body’s immunity, treats anemia, skin problems, bad digestion, and improves bone health. Copper water is also proven to be antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory. |
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Health Concerns |
Brass utensils pose no known health concerns. |
Storing water in a copper vessel for more than 10 hours and drinking more than 1 liter of copper water can lead to copper toxicity. Furthermore, it is advised not to consume any acidic or sour food from copper utensils as they react with the metal and can affect your health. |
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Cost-effectiveness |
Brass utensils are generally more affordable. |
Copper utensils are costlier than brass. |
Brass Vs. Copper: Similarities Between Both Types Of Utensils
Both of these metals have utensils that offer some similar properties and benefits. Here is a list of similarities between them.
Maintenance: Both types of utensils require timely maintenance and regular upkeep.
Sustainability: Both types of utensils are sustainable and leave a minimal environmental impact.
Reactivity: Brass utensils react with sour and acidic food like lemon, tomatoes, and tamarind. Copper utensils also react with acidic and sour consumables. However, both types of utensils can be made non-reactive by covering them with a tin-coating called “Kalai”.
The Last Line
Both brass and copper have their own charm when it comes to choosing between them. The differences between copper and brass are many but so are the similarities.
In the end, the choice between brass or copper utensils depends upon your budget, kitchen decor, as well as your cooking style. Both types of utensils will surely elevate your culinary space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q. What are some cooking tips and tricks for brass utensils?
A. Brass utensils react with acidic food if they have no Kalai (tin-coating), so avoid using ingredients that are naturally acidic, like tomatoes and lime, if your brass utensils are not lined with Kalai. Clean the brass utensils after every use or following a brief period while avoiding the use of harsh cleaning agents. Do not overheat the brass cookware and store them in a dry place.
Q. What are some cooking tips and tricks for copper utensils?
A. Clean your copper utensils after every use with warm water and soap. Let them dry properly before storing them as residual moisture can lead to faster tarnishing and watermarks. If discoloration does arise, use baking soda and salt or lemon to wipe the surface and restore it to its former condition.
Q. What are the disadvantages of brass utensils?
A. Brass utensils are reactive to acidic and sour consumables if not lined with tin-coating (Kalai) which can cause a metallic taste to occur in the food and discoloration of the cookware.
Q. Which metal is best for cooking utensils?
A. Both copper and brass utensils offer many advantages as well as disadvantages. In the end, the answer to “copper vs. brass” depends upon your cooking style, taste preference, and budget.
Q. Which is better for drinking water, copper or brass?
A. Copper vessels have been traditionally used for storing water as they naturally disinfect, purify, and infuse it with anti-inflammatory properties. Copper water is also useful in improving immunity, digestion, and boosting metabolism.
