CLASS 7
When attending an event, or eating out at a restaurant, there are usually many kinds and types of cutlery and dinnerware plates. It is important for you to be aware of the different types and functions of ceramic plates. This is especially important to prevent embarrassment in special or formal events where the tableware is different from what you usually use daily.
There are quite a number of types of dishes or sets of cutlery that are commonly used to serve food. In this article we will review 6 types of tableware and their functions:
1. Dinner Plate
Dinner plate is a type of plate used for main courses. The average dinner plate measures 11 or 12 inches across. This plate is the most used plate during the entire meal and it usually comes out after the salad, it is the plate resting just above the charger. Many choose to use the same plates for both lunch and dinner.
2. Dessert Plate
Dessert plates are usually used at formal and informal banquets. Dessert plate is usually called the luncheon plate by craftsmen. The function of this plate is quite diverse. You can use it for snacks, appetizers, and desserts. This plate is only about 18 cm in diameter. Usually often used also at parties, weddings, and others.
3. Bread And Butter Plate
BnB stands for bread and butter. BnB plate, is a plate used to put bread and butter. This plate is also called a quarter plate or side plate, because it is usually placed next to the fork. BnB plate is round like a plate in general. The difference is that it has a small size, which is about 15 cm in diameter.
4. Soup Plate/Bowl
Soup plates have a different shape than other types of dishes. Because the type of plate is used for containing watery food like soup. The shape follows the main function as a soup container. The top of the plate has an arch like a bowl.
However, there are differences between types of soup plates for formal meals and informal meals. For formal dinners, the soup plate is usually shorter in height.
5. Salad Bowl
This plate is usually used specifically for serving salads. Salad plate itself has a round shape with two types of different sizes. The first type of large size of about 22 cm, and the second type of small size of about 20 cm.
When faced with various types of plates, you do not have to worry in being confused about the type of plate for salads and ordinary dishes as the salad plate has a larger size than the type of bread and butter plate.
6. Appetizer Plate
Appetizer plate is a type of plate that is available in sizes that are quite diversed. The size starts from 17 cm. The characteristics of this plate usually have a curved tip but without indentation. This plate is almost similar to bread and butter plate, it is just slightly bigger than the BnB plate.
Why different colored dinner plates are used
You might think that it’s just a plate, it doesn’t matter much to your dining experience. But did you know that many people disagree and think that it actually matters to your dining experience? Here we’ve gathered why the colour of your dinner plate matters to increase your dining experience!
The colour of your dinner plate sets the mood and theme of your entire table setting.
White Coloured
White crockeries is always a good choice when choosing tableware as it is timeless and suits a variety of dishes and presentation styles. The timeless quality of white crockeries mean that you don’t need to waste and invest more money to stay on top of the current trends. By using white plates, you allow your food to take centre stage, allowing the beauty of your ingredients to be proudly presented with the colour contrast of your ingredients to the white plate.
Earthy Tones
Earthy, rich tones including sage greens and darker browns portrays naturalism and an environmentally conscious attitude. It is an exquisite way to promote the wholesome nutrition of your food and can also a great emphasis of its nutritional credentials.
Patterned Rims
A patterned rim on a plate gives a subtle rustic twist to a classic white tableware and is an excellent way to provide ornamentation without having a pattern beneath the food itself. Patterns can extend across the entire lip of the plate and carry a variety of themes. Different patterns and designs will complement different cuisines or styles, making the colours of the ingredients pop out and making simple looking food more colourful.
Pastel Tones
Pastel tones such as sky blues, baby pinks and mint greens helps to accentuate the homemade nature of the food in a cute and retro feel. Pastel crockery provides you and your guests a homey feel to your scrumptious meal.
Bright Tones
Bright and colourful tones provide acts as a statement piece that completes the theme and feel of a restaurant. It can also be used to determine allergies during the plating process, for example by only using blue plates for gluten-free meals. There has also been a study made that shows that using yellow crockeries encourages Alzheimer’s disease sufferers to eat larger portion sizes, this may also be the reason why bright coloured plates are commonly used in children’s dining.
Black
Black plates may not seem like an intuitive choice but there are still some people who choose to use black crockery. According to a Cornell University study, darker plate colours alters people’s perception of portion sizes by giving the impression of large and generous portion sizes compared to white alternatives. It also makes a striking impression on the table!
The colour of your dinner plate affects your appetite.
The colour of your dinner plate matters not only aesthetically but also to how much you food you consume. A recent study shows that people eat more food if there’s only a little colour contrast between the food and the plate it was served on. (For instance “white rice on white plate”)
This is what we call the Delboeuf Illusion which means that the colour similarity causes people to misjudge the amount of food they have on their plates. A study made by two Cornell University researchers has shown that those who had food that only has a little colour contrast between the food and their plate served themselves 22% more food than those who had a strong colour contrast between them.
There is no style of plate that is universally “wrong”, each crockery colour has benefits and drawbacks which means that it is important to have the knowledge on how to use it to your advantage. Let yourself be more experimental with the colours of your tablewares the next time you are choosing and buying from a tableware company. Let yourself experiment and spice up your culinary cabaret with plates of different colours!
Embark in the beauty of your dining experience with Kopin! We are one of the biggest tableware company in Indonesia offering you an array of tablewares for different seasons, holidays and occasions.
Different Types of Bowls and Their Uses
Bowls are one of the most important kitchen tools. They are versatile tools, and they serve many purposes in handling, preparing, and serving food. They are definitely a must-have in every kitchen!
Bowls can be made of different materials like stainless steel, ceramic, wood, and plastic. Usually, the interior of a bowl is shaped like the tip of a sphere, with a seamless curved bottom. This makes it suitable for holding liquid and loose food. Bowls can also vary in size and shape. Bigger bowls are often used to hold large portions of food.
Ceramic Bowls
Ceramic bowls have multiple uses. They are available in many different designs, themes, textures, patterns, and colors. They are usually imported from different places in the world. Some of the countries which are famous for making ceramic bowls are Mexico, Spain, Italy, and Morocco.
Serving food using a charming ceramic bowl can make food look more appealing. Ceramic bowls could also be used to decorate the interior of your house. Most of these bowls have vivid colors and stunning designs that can add vibrance to your living room or dining space. You can also place ceramic bowls on your center table or dining table to enhance its beauty.
Glass Bowls
Glass bowls are one of the most common types of bowls that you can find in households. These are suitable for many purposes. A glass bowl is perfect for serving cereal, salad, soup, noodles, and many other tasty foods.
They are easy to wash and clean. Most modern glass bowls are also microwave and dishwasher safe. They come in many designs that would look lovely on your dinner table. However, they can be fragile, so they must be handled with utmost care. Because they are delicate, glass bowls might not be suitable for some uses, but these bowls are still very popular because they are widely available and are also affordable.
Fine China Bowls
Fine china bowls are made from kaolin (China clay), which is a type of white clay. This material is also used to make porcelain.
Fine china bowls are absolutely fragile, so they should be handled with the best care. Although they can be prone to breaking, many people still opt to buy these bowls because they are simply stunning! Unlike glass bowls, fine china bowls are not microwave and dishwasher safe. They should carefully be cleaned and washed by hand.
For most people, fine china bowls are rather used for display rather than for serving regular dishes. These precious utensils are often only used during special events and occasions in the family.
Bone China Bowls
Bone china bowls are actually thinner than fine china but are a bit more sturdy and durable. This is because it is partly made up of real animal bones that had been turned into ash to make a paste-like mixture. Although it is stronger than fine china, it is still fragile and needs a lot of extra care.
Bone china is also known as “ware with translucent body” because of its high level of whiteness and translucency.
Stoneware Bowls
Stoneware bowls are made from a type of clay that is fired at around 1,200 degrees celsius. This makes the material more dense and durable. The finished product is waterproof and does not have to be glazed.
Stoneware bowls can look overall rugged, and they are perfect for everyday use. These bowls often come with fun and colorful designs, which make them pretty attractive. Artisans are able to do intricate and exquisite designs on stoneware bowls because these are easy to work with. Stoneware bowls are dishwasher and microwave safe. Thus, they are sturdy and could be great for many purposes.
Earthenware Bowls
Earthenware bowls are made from clay, which is fired at lower temperatures, between 1,000 and 1,150 degrees celsius. This makes earthenware bowls hard but brittle. They also contain small porous holes through which air or liquid can seep. Because of this, these bowls are not ideal for storing water. However, this can be remedied by glazing. Glazing the bowls before they are out in the kiln can make them waterproof.
Melamine Bowls:-
Melamine bowls are attractive and usually inexpensive. These bowls are made from melamine, a substance that can be combined with formaldehyde to make melamine resin. This can then be molded to make tableware when heated. Melamine bowls are hard plastic dishes that are very sturdy and durable. They can also come in different colors, shapes, and designs. Their texture is distinctively smooth.
Since it is made from plastic, melamine bowls are not safe to put in a microwave. However, it is safe to be used for serving food, as long as it does not require any heating.
Porcelain Bowls :- Porcelain is traditionally made from kaolin (china clay) and petunse (pottery stone). Porcelain bowls are made from refined clay, which is fired at extremely high temperatures ranging between 1,200 – 1,450 degrees celsius. This results in a very hard and shiny material, which is often translucent and white in appearance.
Bamboo Bowls
Bamboo bowls have recently gained popularity, especially to those who are environmentally conscious. Bamboo bowls are reusable and can last up to two years. These bowls are not microwave and dishwasher safe and should only be washed by hand.
Bamboo bowls are perfect for serving salads, appetizers. They are lightweight and are visually appealing, making them a perfect addition to your tableware. These bowls are also biodegradable and eco-friendly. No chemicals were involved in the production of these charming, environmentally sustainable bowls.
Plastic Bowls
Plastic bowls are widely available in lots of stores and are also widely used in many kitchens. Most people choose to buy plastic bowls because they are not expensive and can be perfect for storing and serving food.
Most plastic bowls are not safe to put inside the microwave as they typically would not be able to handle too much heat. There is also a danger of certain chemicals mixing in your food when heating food in plastic containers. Nevertheless, plastic bowls still serve a lot of purposes and are relatively durable.
Metal Bowls
Metal bowls are also a common variety, although there can be some limitations to their uses. These bowls are often used as mixing bowls or for decorative purposes. They can also be used for baking, storage, and serving food.
It is important to bear in mind that metal bowls are not suitable for use in the microwave as this can cause serious burns.
Silicone Bowls
Silicone bowls are super easy to clean. They are also non-stick and microwave safe. They are made of silicone, a material formed by combining synthetic plastic polymer and synthetic rubber. Many experts consider silicone safe for use as food storage and other food-related use. This material does not react with food or drinks nor produces any harmful fumes.
Silicone bowls are easy to store because of their collapsible nature. Thus, they do not take so much space in the cupboard.
Copper Bowls
Copper bowls have been used by people for a very long time. They look exquisite and beautiful but also cost a lot. Copper bowls are usually used for mixing, mostly because they have the ability to stabilize egg whites. The egg whites react with copper ions to stabilize them, making them firm up more easily and quickly.
Types of Bowls According to Style and Use
Salad Bowls
Salad bowls are generally used to mix salad ingredients. They can be made from different materials, but commonly, they are made of glass or metal. Most people prefer to transfer their salad in a smaller container rather than putting the large salad bowl on the dining table.
Soup Bowls
Soup bowls can be available with or without a handle. There are seven different types of soup bowls:
Coupe soup bowl
These soup bowls are shaped like a saucer. They measure approximately 6 to 9 inches across and are typically used for informal dining.
Soup plate
These soup bowls are wide and shallow. It also has a flanged rim that measures about 1 to 2 inches wide. The diameter measures around 9 to 10 inches wide, and the depth is up to 1 and a half inches deep. These bowls are used for formal dining.
Soup-cereal bowl
This type of bowl is used when serving food eaten with a fork, such as pasta or salad. This is also called an oatmeal bowl. It is slightly narrower and deeper in comparison to the coupe soup bowl and the soup plate. It can come with or without a rim.
Covered soup bowl
This type of bowl keeps the soup warm. In formal dining, guests are required to remove the lid, rest the cover with the rim side down. Then the lid has to be put back on before the table is tidied. Typically, it measures 4 to 6 inches across, with a depth of about 2 to 3.5 inches.
Lug soup bowl
This bowl is used to serve French onion soup, which was put under the broiler to melt the cheese. That is why this bowl is also called an onion soup bowl. It typically measures 4.5 to 5.5 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches deep.
Cream soup bowl
This bowl is used to serve the first course of soup in meals with a light menu. Usually, its diameter measures between 4 and 5 inches.
Bouillon cup and saucer
This type of bowl measures about 3.5 inches in diameter and usually comes with a saucer. It is used to serve bouillon, which is sipped entirely from the cup or using a spoon. However, it can never be done by both using a spoon or sipping it straight from the cup as it is considered a bad table manner.
Rice Bowls
As its name implies, rice bowls are used to serve rice. This type of bowls is common all over the world, although there are some countries that use rice bowls more frequently. Sometimes, these bowls are sold together with a pair of chopsticks because this is how some countries traditionally eat their rice from their rice bowls.
Finger Bowls
Finger bowls are used to hold water, which is used to rinse just the fingertips when dining. Typically, finger bowls are brought to the dining table when the dessert course is served. It is served with t linen doily between the bowl and the plate. To prevent water from overflowing and splashing from the bowl, the rinsing is done one hand at a time and wiped with a napkin. These bowls measure around 4 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches in height.
Dip Bowls
As the name suggests, these bowls are used for dipping. Most people enjoy eating their chips with some flavorful dips, and dip bowls can be quite handy for this. These bowls are conveniently made with a curved design for this purpose.
Ramekin
Ramekin bowls are used to serve baked dishes such as meat or cheese-based dishes. The term ‘ramekin’ was derived from the Dutch word ramekin, which means ‘to toast’ or ‘roasted minced meat”.
Traditionally, ramekins have a circular exterior. However, modern designs feature new shapes like stars, flowers, and hearts. Ramekins are designed to resist extremely high temperatures, such as in ovens and even in direct flame.
Pasta Bowls
Pasta bowls have a very distinct shape, so it is very easy to differentiate from the rest of your kitchen utensils. Traditionally, they are shaped to be wider and shallow to hold the right amount of pasta and sauce. Because of its shape, pasta bowls can be perfect for serving other dishes, too, like curries, stir-fries, and stews.
Candy Bowls
Candy Bowls are perfect to put on coffee tables for guests to enjoy. These bowls are not only perfect for storing sweet treats but also other small nibbles and snacks. A candy bowl on the coffee table can add an aesthetic feel to your interior. Candy bowls can also be used to store other small items like rubber bands, hair clips, paintbrushes, pens, and many others. They can also serve as attractive centerpieces. Just put some colorful beads or rocks at the bottom, fill it with water, and float some flowers and candles.
Mixing Bowls
Mixing bowls can have a variety of functions. These can be used for mixing dry ingredients, working doughs, mixing salads, and even for storage. You might need different sizes of mixing bowls in your kitchen to serve different purposes.
Mixing bowls can be made from different materials, but most people prefer the ones made from stainless steel. Stainless steel mixing bowls are easy to clean, durable, and lightweight. This is the perfect combination every baker or chef will look for. Some mixing bowls come with amazing features to make the cooking and baking experience even more convenient. There are mixing bowls that have a rubberized base to avoid slipping. Some have grater lids to make sure that only freshly grated food gets in the mix.
Since you may need more than one mixing bowl in your kitchen, it is best to buy the ones that you can stack on top of each other to save space.
Storage Bowls
Storage bowls are specifically made to store food inside the refrigerator. There are several designs, shapes, and sizes available in the market. The most important thing to note when choosing a good storage bowl is if it has a great lid that seals well. This will keep the food inside protected to last for longer.
Storage bowls can be made from plastic or glass. Glass ones tend to be more versatile than plastic. Glass storage bowls can be used in the microwave or oven, while plastic cannot. However, glass is heavier and more fragile. When buying plastic storage bowls, look for the BPA-free kind to avoid any hazardous chemicals from mixing in your food.
Decorative Bowls
Decorative bowls create a finishing touch to any living area, kitchen, or dining room. These bowls can be crafted from different materials such as wood, porcelain, crystal, glass, and stone. Surely, there is a piece to suit any interior. Decorative bowls also come in different shapes, colors, and sizes. Some bowls can have a very interesting and unique look that makes them perfect centerpieces for a table setting.
Pet Bowls
A pet bowl, typically a dog bowl, cat bowl is especially useful for those who have pet animals (dogs, cats) at home. Typically, you will have one pet bowl, each for your pet’s water and food. It is important to give pet bowls a good wash regularly as they can be contaminated with bacteria that may harm your pet. Wash pet bowls frequently with soap and warm water, preferably after every meal.
Singing Bowls
Singing bowls, specifically Tibetan singing bowls, Manipuri bowls, Thadobati bowls, etc. are a type of bowl that is used mainly for meditation and healing, and chanting purposes. These are easily recognized with their slimness are made from synthetic alloys such as copper, bronze, gold, silver, iron, tin, and lead.b