The culinary utensil can be found in most homes and is used to grate a variety of foods, including cheese and vegetables.
You can use it to prepare a variety of recipes, but do you know what the fourth side is for?
Many people don’t and have taken to social media to admit it.
Someone submits: “Seriously though, what IS the fourth side of a cheese grater for other than making it hard to clean and hard to hold?”
Another person wonders, “What on earth is that vicious fourth side of the cheese grater supposed to grate?” “Aside from my sodding fingers?”
Fortunately, we now have a clear answer.
Food experts have chimed in on the issue at MarthaStewart.com, explaining what each side is designed for.
The utensil’s largest hole is designed to shred semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, Gruyère, and Fontina.
It has tiny shredding holes that can grind cheese, chocolate, vegetables, and more.
The side with broad slits is for slicing cheese and vegetables such as cucumbers and potatoes.
Finally, the fourth side of the grater creates “the finest strands of cheese.”
MarthaStewart.com explains: “If you want to emulate the pre-grated hard cheese found in plastic tubs or cardboard cans at the grocery store, use this side. It should result in a fine consistency that allows the cheese to easily dissolve into salad dressings, sauces, and casseroles.
You may also use this side of the gadget to grate nutmeg and zest citrus.
Many people only realized what the fourth side of a cheese grater is for after someone took to Casual UK over on Reddit and asked.
Alongside a photo of the grater side in question, they inquired: “Does anybody ever use this part of the grater? What is it even for??”
In the comments, the Reddit user added: “All this has ever done is injure my hand, although I’ve never used those small hole graters before. Basically, use the other side to make grated cheese.
Some experts recommend using the fourth side with lemon, nutmeg, and parmesan. “Lots of stuff.”
A second guy says, “It’s for finely shredded cheese. If you like the texture of parmesan with cheddar cheese, this is the side for you.”
