Which spoon is commonly set at every meal?

The teaspoon is commonly set at every meal because it is a versatile utensil used for various dining needs. This spoon is particularly useful for stirring beverages, such as tea or coffee, and is also employed for enjoying meal accompaniments like dessert or certain side dishes. Its size and shape make it appropriate for servings that require a smaller portion, distinguishing it from larger spoons used for serving or soup.

In contrast, the soup spoon is primarily dedicated to soup and is not needed at every meal, while the tablespoon is often used for larger servings or cooking measurements rather than direct dining activities. The serving spoon, typically used by waitstaff for serving family-style meals, is not set at each place setting but rather brought out during the serving process. These distinctions establish why the teaspoon holds a more consistent role across various meals.