Definition: A chinois is a cone-shaped metal strainer with a very fine mesh. A chinois is used for straining stocks, sauces, soups and other items that need to have a very smooth consistency.

A chinois () is sometimes used with a wooden pestle which is pressed into the food, working it through the mesh of the chinois.

A chinois is similar to a china cap, which has the same conical shape as a chinois but is made of perforated metal rather than mesh.


The terms chinois and china cap are sometimes used interchangeably, but they're technically two different tools. Like the chinois, the china cap is also sometimes used with a wooden pestle to push the food through it.

Pronunciation: SHIN-wah

Also Known As: China cap