Born out of near financial ruin and pure happenstance, the Microplane has become a staple behind every bar, turning good cocktails into unforgettable ones.
How did it start?
In 1991, Grace Manufacturing owner – and inventor – Richard Grace, was desperately searching for a new direction for his company. At the time, Grace’s business produced tiny photo-etched metal parts for mechanical computer printers – technically impressive but not particularly exciting. Facing an uncertain future, Richard, his brother and a team of Grace’s brightest gathered in a whiteboard-filled room to brainstorm new ideas. Amid all the possibilities, one detail stood out: the metal produced through chemical photo etching was incredibly sharp. From that insight came a new idea: a tool with multiple razor-sharp edges, featuring original photo etched technology, crafted in the USA originally designed for woodworking. Little did they know, they had created a tool that would become essential across the food and beverage world.
So how was this technology leveraged out of the woodworking shed and into bartender’s hands, turning drinks from ordinary to extraordinary?
Three years later, Lorraine and Leonard Lee, the owners of Lee Valley Tools in Ottawa, Canada, had a mail-order catalogue for woodworking supplies. It happened that Lorraine was also a baker and, frustrated with her domestic grater when making an orange cake, grabbed the Microplane instead. The result was a stunning fine, fluffy zest that made her cake sing. She was so impressed, she updated the catalogue description and sales started to grow. The New York Times noticed, wrote about it and just like that, Microplane transitioned from woodworking tool to beverage industry staple.
Fast forward to today, Microplane has become an essential tool in the craft cocktail world. From zesting citrus for a classic Old Fashioned to finely grating nutmeg over a creamy Mont Blanc coffee, every twist and turn delivers unmatched precision. The fine edges allow bartenders to elevate simple ingredients, turning aromas into experiences and garnishes into statements.
Whether it’s a citrus twist, a delicate dusting of spice, or a creative garnish, the expectation is the same: Microplane delivers consistent, best-in-class performance. It’s a small tool, but in the right hands, it transforms every drink into a masterpiece.
Available in Australia through Microplane distributor, DKSH Australia, or your local stockist. For more information, contact kerwin.beresford@dksh.com or (02) 9425 5000.