While cooking, one come across foods that need a small process before being cooked. These processes can be cutting, peeling, shredding, grating, etc. Shredding and grating are the two processes that are often confused with one another and are sometimes used interchangeably by many.
Shredding vs Grating
The main difference between shredded and grated is that shredding refers to the process in which the food is cut into small strips or shreds, on the other hand, grating refers to the process in which the food is reduced into very small fragments or cut into very small shreds.
Shredding means to cut some into small strips called shreds. This process can be done using a hand grater or a box grater. The shredded food takes a longer time to cook. Grating refers to the process in which the food is reduced to the tiniest pieces possible that may sometimes look like powder. The food can be grated using a grater with very small holes.
Comparison Table Between Shredded and Grated
What is Shredded?
The dictionary meaning of shredding is the act of cutting or trying into shreds and it also refers to a style of very fast and complex guitar playing.
When it comes to shredding food in the kitchen, it refers to a process of reducing food into small and thin strips that are known as shreds. In shredding, the food is pushed or rubbed across a shredding surface that has holes in it for the food to come to the other side of it. The shredded food looks like small strips with a smooth texture.
Most vegetables and cheeses can be shredded using a hand grater or a box grater, however, vegetables like lettuce and cabbage can be shredded using a knife. Some common foods that need shredding are cheddar, mozzarella, coconut, ginger, etc. Shredded food is mostly used as toppings in dishes.
What is Grated?
The grating is a word that refers to a process used in kitchens. Grating means to reduce a food into tiny particles or fragments that are powdery to look at. The grated food looks like the smallest fragments that are coarse and uneven.
Food can be grated using a hand or box grater, a microplane or a food processor. To great using a hand grater, push the food from top to bottom across the state holes of the grater. Cheese is the most common food that is grated.
Main Differences Between Shredded and Grated
- Shredding is a word that is used in various fields whereas grating is used only to refer to a process used in the kitchen.
- Shredding refers to the process of reducing food into small strips known as shreds, on the other hand, grating refers to the process of reducing food in very small fragments.
- Shredded foods look like small stripes whereas grated food looks like tiny particles.
- Shredded food has a smooth and even texture, on the other hand, grated food is rougher and uneven.
- Shredding and grating can be done using a box grater, grating can also be done using Microplane or a food processor.
- Shredded food takes a longer time to cook whereas shredded food takes less time to cook.
- Shredded food is mostly used for topping in pasta or pizza whereas grated food is used for topping as well as for stuffing.
Conclusion
Whether you are required to shred or grate food, make sure that you wash them properly especially vegetables and peel them if required. Shredded and grated food can be used for different purposes. Shredding and grating both can be done using the same kitchen appliances.
References
- https://www.nature.com/articles/149499a0
- http://ir.cftri.com/71/