category: kitchenware

Chinoise, China Cap, Cap Strainer, Chinese Strainer, de.: Passiersieb, Spitzsieb

Chinoises and china caps are strainers used to filter soups, sauces, purées or forcemeats, to remove suspended particles or impurities, plant or meat fibre or other residues.

A chinoise is a conical frame made from wood or rigid plastics with a very fine mesh made of metallic or synthetic material attached. It is used to strain soups and sauces or to sieve flour. It often comes with a wooden pestle to push through thicker foods such as purées.

Chinoises are often confused with china caps. China caps are conical strainers made completely from stainless steel and have larger holes than those of the chinoise. They are also called cap strainer or Chinese strainer.