Copper was discovered in Mesopotamia around 4000 BC. A member of the metal family, it is known as the best conductor of heat. It is also an indispensable trace element for our organism. This is why it has been used in cooking for thousands of years, either in its raw, solid form, or in combination with another material, such as stainless steel or tin.
Solid copper is pure copper and ideally suited to cooking sweet dishes. Copper's excellent conductivity enables it to distribute heat gently and evenly throughout the cooking utensil. The sugar and acidity contained in the fruit prevent the copper from oxidizing.
Fruit needs to be cooked at low temperatures to avoid damage. Copper enables them to release ions that create a "net" of pectin molecules designed to trap water and fruit aromas.
That's why we mainly use a copper pan to cook jams.
Tin-plated copper cookware is cookware designed for general use. Without tin, copper risks oxidizing and changing color, turning to verdigris. As verdigris is toxic, it must not be brought into contact with food. Copper is therefore coated with a layer of tin to protect it from oxidation and verdigris formation.
Tinned copper also facilitates the cooking of fatty foods. It is therefore used on many utensils, such as copper frying pans and copper saucepans. To ensure long-lasting use of your tin-plated copper cookware, it is important to re-tin it when the tin layer begins to erode.
Stainless copper is one of the newest coppers on the market. The stainless steel coating applied to the utensil not only prevents the copper from oxidizing, but also makes it easier to maintain.
Stainless copper is an alternative to tinned copper for all-round cooking. But stainless copper is ideal if you have induction hobs, as it is usually compatible!
As with tin-plated copper, stainless copper can be found in a plethora of cooking utensils: stockpots, copper stewpots, sauté pans, frying pans...
Ultimately, copper is suitable for all types of food, as long as you choose the right type of copper. Discover our selection of copper cookware!
