Purpose of the Fourth Side of Your Cheese Grater

Nobody is ever alone when they take a leisurely walk across the kitchen, open a drawer, and get that reliable cheese grater. Prepare to have your cheesecake or chocolate bar turned into a sprinkleable masterpiece with this ostentatiously basic equipment that is a mainstay in almost every kitchen. While the first three sides of a cheese grater are instantly recognizable, the fourth has long been a mystery.

It turns out that there’s more going on with the fourth side of your cheese grater than meets the eye when it comes to kitchen devices. The true meaning of this often-overlooked aspect is just now beginning to be understood.

Our familiarity with the cheese grater’s first three sides is high. The biggest holes are designed for shredding semi-hard cheeses, such as the classic Gruyère or the ever-popular cheddar. The smaller shredding holes are useful for grating a variety of foods, including chocolate, veggies, and cheese. The side with the larger openings, on the other hand, is perfect for slicing a variety of vegetables and cheeses.

from Alamy

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