A salad bowl is a useful serving dish, often round in shape and featuring shallow sides. Available in many materials, these bowls are used to hold a large quantity of salad while allowing ease of tossing ingredients without spilling them. If you entertain frequently or have a large family, a salad bowl can be very useful for serving green or fruit salads.
Salads have been made for thousands of years, though the habits of when, where and how to eat them have changed over the centuries. Egyptian, Chinese and Roman cultures all have particular salad habits dating back to their early empires. It can only be imagined that chefs had a difficult time preparing enough salad to serve for court affairs hosting hundreds or thousands of diners. It is unknown at which point the salad bowl was invented and perfected, but today they are considered necessary for any large-scale salad serving event.
Typically, salad bowls are made from wood, glass, or stainless steel. Plastic salad bowls are also available, and may be somewhat cheaper, but are often less durable and can soak in odors from the food kept in them. In price, a salad bowl can range from a less than $10 US Dollars (USD) for a plastic version to over $100 USD for a hardwood bowl. More expensive salad bowls are often given as heirloom wedding presents, as their durability can make them last for decades.
Wooden salad bowls are often treated with oils to give them sheen and durability. Some may require additional treatments over the years, to help them maintain their coating. Conservationists may want to check the source of the wood carefully before purchasing a wooden salad bowl, as some are made from endangered or threatened wood sources. If you like the look of wooden bowls but are concerned about the material, considering purchasing a bowl made from bamboo or another sustainable wood. Properly treated, these bowls can last for years and made lovely gifts.
A salad bowl may come with accessories to aid in tossing or serving. Salad forks and spoons are large utensils that make tossing ingredients to coat with dressing an easy task. Salad bowls may also come in sets, with several sizes of serving bowl, or one large serving bowl and a set of small bowls for individual use. These sets can make a dinner table look lovely, as they are sure to coordinate in shape and color.