Mezzalunas: 5 Fast Facts

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Fact #1. Mezzalunas were inspired by old world prep cooks and named after the Italian word meaning half moon. These interesting tools tend to look more suited to hand-to-hand combat than mincing produce. Nevertheless, they've held up over time and continue to have value in a cook's toolbox.
Fact #2. Mezzalunas are incredibly effective at chopping herbs. Yes, small and moderate amounts of fresh green aromatics can be chopped with a regular knife. However, using one of these tools makes these jobs faster because each hand is used to make cutting downstrokes.
Fact #3. The mechanical advantage doesn't just increase speed. The handles on these tools let you cut with more overall downward force while expending less energy. So if you're faced with a huge pile of herbs and you want to save your wrists some trouble, this is how. These are great for home chefs with joint pain such as arthritis, thanks to how easy they are to grip.
Fact #4. These are well-suited to rough chops like herbs, dried fruit, nuts, and even chicken salad due to their durability. Every time the blade of your chef's knife hits the cutting board, it's pushed slight out of true. Rapid mincing of herbs can quickly dull your blade without frequent honing. The mezzaluna's curved blade never slams violently against the cutting surface. Add in an increased thickness and a one-sided bevel, and they tend to hold up very well.
Fact #5. As you may expect, these tools don't excel in precision cutting. But that highlights one of their strengths: cuts, like the heritage of the knife itself, are simpler. The textures are rougher and the prepped food isn't as refined as you might expect from a Michelin star restaurant. It's this rustic experience that's the cornerstone to some amazing meals in European cuisine and beyond.