How to choose ... a scoop
Most people would call the pictured item an ice cream scoop, but if you choose the right type it
can be used for a lot more.
What is it? It's a tool that is meant to make scooping ice cream easier, but that's not always the result.
What types are there? Some are just glorified spoons with a deeper bowl and sturdier handle. Some scoops have bowls that are heated via batteries or electricity, but they tend to be expensive. You can get the same effect by dipping the bowl of the scoop into warm water. The type pictured has a spring in the handle designed to eject the ball of ice cream. If the scoop is too cold the confectionary sometimes becomes stuck.
Is it an essential tool in the kitchen? Of course not - the only tools you absolutely need are knives and pans. But like a lot of kitchen equipment, it can make cooking easier.