Microplane simply means quality for me, so I always get slightly over-excited when they launch a new product, and their new Container Grater has set my pulse racing a bit too much for my advancing years.

For those who don’t know, Microplane was inspired by a Canadian housewife in the early 90s, who, fed up with her traditional grater, borrowed one of her husband’s wood-working tools. Her discovery that a well-engineered tool could be so much more effective than the kitchen-grade grater she’d struggled with, resulted in the creation of Microplane – the original manufacturer of photo-etched cutting tools. After over fifty years of experience, their durable, photo-etched and razor-sharp stainless-steel blades are simply the best – effortlessly cutting through hard and soft foods, without tearing or shredding.

So let me tell you about the Container Grater. If you’ll pardon the pun, I just can’t contain myself a moment longer.

This grater combined with storage container has been so well-thought through, I’m in awe. The firm plastic container appears compact, yet has a roomy 532ml capacity, plus a non-slip base for safe grating. It’s topped with a sleek wooden lid, which doubles as a mini cheese board, and removing the lid reveals the ultra-sharp stainless-steel bladed grater. This grater is so strong that you can grate not only hard and soft cheeses, but chocolate, coconut, various fruit and veg, garlic and nuts too, and the gratings fall neatly into the container beneath with no mess. A semi-circular gap at the end of the grater allows easy dispensing, for instance sprinkling grated cheese on pasta. You can either replace the nice wooden lid, or if you wish to store for longer in the fridge, remove the grater and replace with the well-fitting airtight plastic storage lid – so clever.

The Microplane Container Grater is dishwasher safe and the wooden lid just needs a quick wipe with a clean cloth. It’s available in two beautiful colours – Anthracite Gray with a Walnut Lid and Cashmere Beige with a Bamboo Lid and can be bought from John Lewis, RRP £39.95. The biggest problem is which colour to choose – they’re both so gorgeous.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.