>Anyway, do YOU always wash your spoon after tasting

After tasting in MY kitchen, NO. After tasting in my client's or
friend's kitchen, YES. It's just better hygiene and looks less "gross"
to onlookers. If I have an illness at home, I will also change spoons
even though the heat of the pot and food will probably be killing any
cold viruses. The notion that any remnants of saliva left on a spoon
will alter the taste of the sauce is assinine to say the very least.