Carving is the art of figure cutting on fruits, vegetables, chocolate, cheese. As a matter of fact, in the literal translation from English, whence the definition itself came from, carving means “cutting”.
Masters in this technique can create real works of art from products. We suggest you familiarize yourself with what carving is in more detail .
Carving story
As you might guess, the art of carving fruits and vegetables came to Europe from Asia. But it is still not clear who was the first to discover carving - the Chinese or the Thais.
Although there is a legend: after the Loykrathong festival in Thailand (a year is not specified, but the approximate period is the XII century), the king liked the presented bowl with bird and flower figurines carved from fruits and vegetables so much that he wished every woman knew how to do this. After that, carving spread throughout the East, and decorating the table and dishes in this way has become a tradition.
Over time, the art of carving on fruits and vegetables began to develop in Europe. But such a recognition, as in China and Thailand, carving here has not received. Most likely, this is due to the fact that Asian and Asian dishes are dominated by fruits and vegetables, therefore, in order to somehow diversify the table, people resorted to tricks such as carving. In Europe, the dishes were much more diverse, so decorating the table with carved figurines of vegetables and fruits began only with the development of the restaurant industry.
Carving now has two main styles: European and Asian. Their differences are:
- the choice of fruits and vegetables;
- cutting technique;
- some tools;
- plots.
Carving knives and other tools
In order for the work to turn out good, you must use the appropriate basic tools. In the carving technique, these are special knives. This is due to the fact that, using ordinary ones, you simply will not achieve the desired result. For example, you may not get lace patterns.
Carving Knives:
- knife-peak: useful for lace cutting, suitable for large and small products;
- triangular watermelon knife;
- screw knife: used for cutting round spirals from dense vegetables and fruits (for example, potatoes, apples), core removal and for stuffing;
- wavy knife;
- knife with a square section: useful for cutting patterns and various shapes;
- Knife "Wavy Oval": needed to create the petals;
- knife "Dovetail": useful for creating petals of a triangular shape;
- knife for zest;
- Thai knife: needed to create subtle patterns on a dense peel.
Additional carving tools:
- sharpener for carrots: helps to make different decorations (for example, flowers) from carrots;
- double-sided spoon-noisette: helps to cut out spheres of different sizes from vegetables and fruits;
- curly double-sided spoon-noisette;
- peeler;
- cooking tweezers;
- die cutters.
Carving tools can be bought both individually and in sets, which are divided into ordinary and professional. The usual set contains only 3-4 knives. A professional set consists of several knives and additional tools (usually about 10-15 pieces). The kit also includes a book and a DVD-ROM with master classes and useful tips.
Carving technique
Asian carving is a complex composition of exotic vegetables and fruits. The patterns are dominated by hieroglyphs and oriental motifs (for example, dragons and battle scenes). And in the process of cutting, craftsmen use many tools, stencils and shapes.
European carving is a very beautiful and relatively affordable way to decorate a table. The simplest vegetables and fruits are used for it. Intricate patterns and shapes are extremely rare.
Carving Training
At the end of the 1932 revolution, the art of carving on fruits and vegetables lost its former popularity in Thailand. Therefore, the authorities decided to conduct training courses, and today carving is taught in schools to children who have reached the age of eleven.
In European countries there are also special training courses that provide programs for beginners, advanced masters, as well as mini-programs for creating specific patterns. Such courses are expensive, and their duration takes about seven to eight hours, which are divided into several classes. After training, you will be given a certificate of completion of classes in figure cutting - kakarving. Reviews of graduates indicate that some were so carried away by this art that they even began to earn on it. Indeed, figuratively cut vegetables and fruits can be sold.
At home, mastering the carving technique is more difficult, but possible. To do this, stock up on tools and teaching materials: special literature and videos that contain lessons from real teachers in the carving technique. Master classes from amateurs or without illustrations will not allow you to truly master this technique. This should be considered.
Master class: fruit carving for beginners
Beginners in carving can easily make a vase basket out of watermelon.
Work sequence:
- Take a watermelon. Wash and dry it thoroughly.
- Mark the middle of the diameter lightly with the tip of the knife.
- Make a template of one link of the handle on thick paper.
- Attach the template to the wall of the watermelon, perpendicular to the drawn middle, using tape.
- Circle the pattern with the tip of a knife.
- Move the template above and transfer it to a watermelon. In this way draw the entire handle of the basket.
- Carefully cut the watermelon pieces on the sides of the handle (you get two quarters), while do not touch the flesh under it.
- Cut the middle of the links on the handle.
- With a spoon, peel the space under the handle from the pulp, leaving about two centimeters on the handle itself.
- Make the curly edges half of the watermelon, which serves as a basket.
- Free half the watermelon from the pulp with a spoon, leaving also about two centimeters on the walls.
- Fill the finished watermelon basket with small berries: grapes, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, cherries.
The edible basket is ready!
Advice
- Use only fresh and smooth vegetables and fruits. They should also be well washed and dry.
- Carved jewelry should match the color and taste with the main dishes.
- All tools should be well sharpened.
- Put finished fruit work (except melon and watermelon) for ten minutes in cold water.