Dainty Demitasse Spoons Continue to Delight

Experience the charm of demitasse spoons, collectibles that can be used for fancy repasts as well as everyday tasks.


A Little Luxury

For centuries in genteel circles, as diners gathered for conversation after a multicourse feast, a demitasse (literally half cup) of black coffee was passed on a tray for those who wanted to partake. To sweeten the dark elixir that complements dessert, demitasse spoons—usually about 4½ inches long—were placed on the saucer behind the cup handle in the four o’clock position, ready to stir.

Although part of full-service dining, the spoons have no official position in even the most extravagant table settings, largely because after-dinner coffee is optional. Demitasse spoons, mostly made of gold, silver, or silver plate, became a Western convention along with the cups popularized by the French as part of a coffee-drinking trend brought to Europe from the East in the 16th century.


Enduring Appeal

While demitasse service has fallen to the wayside, collections of the minuscule flatware are enjoying a resurgence as espresso shots and all things coffee have hit the pinnacle of popularity. Today, they also are used in other ways, including to feed babies and to serve small portions of candies, cherries, olives, and nuts. 

Antique or vintage demitasse spoons are easy to find through dealers and at secondhand stores, and many modern silver companies carry the tiny tableware. You do not need a matching set, nor do they have to be part of the silver pattern used for a main menu—variety adds to the allure.

Read the full “Keepsakes” story in our September 2022 issue and learn about demitasse cups here.

Styling by Lily Simpson
Photography by John O’Hagan


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