All about ceramic dishes

Eating for humans is a very important process. But it is equally important what attributes of the kitchen utensils are used, in what dishes the food is cooked, with what accessories the table is served. One of the most popular and common categories remains ceramic dishes.

Most scholars believe that ceramic dishes appeared in the Neolithic period. Just then, many people began to lead a sedentary lifestyle, switched to raising livestock and growing crops. And for a normal existence, utensils were needed. It was made of clay by firing. This made it possible to obtain tight and durable containers for storing products of various consistency.

Making such utensils was more like modeling clay. A different shape was attached using the fingers. Interestingly, this was only a female craft.

Initially, the burning of clay was carried out on bonfires with a rather low temperature indicator - about 600 degrees. Already with the development of this technology, special furnaces began to be made, where by blowing air, it was possible to significantly increase the temperature.

Given the ease of creation, it is clear that the first products of this type were very fragile. But in this case, people also found a way out and polished the dishes with stone or wood. As the creation of such dishes became more and more important in human life, the products began to decorate. Usually it was a question of some patterns of relief type. In addition, containers began to be supplied with clay handles. Also, many models of dishes were made with color coating.Pigments for paint were extracted from the same clay.

Pottery production reached its peak in China about 4,000 thousand years ago. But in the form in which it is done today, it appeared here somewhere in the XIII century, at a time when representatives of the Sung dynasty ruled the country.

The Chinese made the recipe for making dishes very carefully, and for almost 4 centuries, Europeans could not open it. Only in 1710, Johann Friedrich Boettger, a German court alchemist, after two years of experiments managed to find the formula for pottery made of ceramics, which was almost identical to Chinese.

After that, the first European factory that produced ceramics was created in the German city of Meissen. It exists to this day. It should be said that its products have always been in great demand, including among aristocrats from Russia. There were so many orders that special days were created in which the company produced products only for customers from the Russian Empire.

As with any thing, ceramic dishes have both serious advantages and certain disadvantages. If we talk about the pros, we should name the following:

• the ability to regulate the humidity and temperature of the products being prepared, which was made possible thanks to the porous structure of the ceramics itself, which first absorbs moisture and then gives it away;
• no matter how long such utensils are used, scum does not form on it;
• it can store various dishes for a long time;
• food prepared in ceramic dishes has a rich taste and amazing aroma;
• it is completely safe from an environmental point of view, because it does not contain heavy metals, and when exposed to high temperatures, no carcinogens or toxins are released.

But it has its drawbacks:

• has a very high fragility;
• absorbs fat well, which is why it is not easy to wash;
• absorbs and retains the smell of cooked food for a long time, which may not please everyone;
• moisture very negatively affects such dishes due to the high porosity of the material.

It should be noted that the phrase "ceramic dishes" is a very broad concept, which includes various types of tableware, as well as its various models. If we talk about species, then the main and most common can be called:

• porcelain;
• earthenware;
• terracotta.

The porcelain version is created from white clay and has not only a small mass and excellent aesthetic component. Such cookware is heat-resistant, strong and perfectly resists the effects of various substances. When you lightly hit the surface, a clear and high sound is produced.

The faience version is also made of white clay, but its strength is less, as well as heat resistance. The porosity of such dishes is significantly greater, which causes a more noticeable absorption of odors and moisture, compared with the same porcelain. The strength of such dishes is about 25% lower than porcelain. This is also due to the lower firing temperature.

But the terracotta dishes are made of red clay. It is rarely coated with glaze. After firing, its texture can become very diverse - coarse-grained, thin, with solid or partial polishing. The color of such dishes can also vary, ranging from red to black. Today, such dishes have excellent moisture resistance, although this was not always the case.

Now let's talk more about specific models of cookware of the type in question. The first category that I want to say is tureens and pots. The latter are usually used for cooking and serving hot snacks, and if they have a large capacity, then for cooking and serving hot dishes.Various kinds of tureens are used to serve ready-made soups on the table, when a large number of people serve immediately.

Another category - serving dishes and plates. Such ceramic solutions are usually used for serving tables of stylized enterprises. Manufacturers today offer whole sets of plates for serving the table, as well as dishes for serving cold snacks.

Also exist milk jugs, creamers, gravy boats and spices. The first two names of ceramic dishes are used to serve milk and cream for tea and coffee. Gravy boats are necessary for serving cold sauces and has a handle and a drawn nose. Spice devices are needed for table setting.

There are also special ceramic baking dish called “Casserole”. These are baking dishes made of heat-resistant ceramics of various shapes, including various shapes with and without a lid. The table can be served on special stands made of wood or in rattan baskets.

There are special ceramic cocotte makerswhich are made in the form of small pots with a long handle or without it and having a small volume. They are commonly used for cooking and serving hot snacks.

Very popular with housewives and ceramic salad bowls and bowls. An interesting solution will be salad bowls of the original form, compiled into a single whole, when compiled, look like a scissors. Salad bowls are used to serve natural vegetables, pickles, salads and pickles.

Another category - cups, sugar bowls, coffee pots and teapots. They are used for hot drinks and can be painted in a variety of colors.

There are also ceramic fondue, which are usually made of heat-resistant ceramics and complemented by saucer saucers, as well as special long forks. Such date decisions are the opportunity to cook and decorate various dessert fondues.

Another type of cookware - ceramic plate vasesthat are commonly used for beautiful pastry presentations.

Now it will not be superfluous to talk about manufacturers of ceramic dishes, whose products are presented on the Russian market.

If we talk about domestic manufacturers, today their products are very well represented on the Russian market. Famous products of Russian production "Borisov ceramics", whose plants are located in the Belgorod region. The products of the company are also familiar to many. "Ceramics Mansions", producing saucers, vases, cups, teapots, mugs. By the way, this brand also offers potential buyers handmade designer ceramics. It is, of course, more expensive, but the quality is beyond praise.

Many will be interested in brand products. “Tarusa ceramics”, that originates in 1974. The production is located in the city of the same name in the Kaluga region. The company produces souvenirs, pots, flowerpots and ceramic dishes. Also of high quality.

If we talk about the products of foreign brands, then the domestic market is represented by Italian, French, Portuguese, Polish ceramics. If we talk about the latter, the company's products are very interesting Boleslawiec from the same city in Poland. This is a unique manufacturer of ceramic dishes in terms of design, which is very popular not only in Russia but also in its homeland.

Pretty interesting products Dobrush Porcelain Factorythat is located in Belarus. Its products are distinguished by a pleasant design, high strength, as well as good thermal properties.

Ceramic products from the company are quite interesting. Cesiro. This is a brand from Romania, which has established itself as a quality manufacturer of ceramic products of various types.

Very interesting products from Germany. The most famous German brand, which manufactures including ceramic products, is Zwilling. This brand has existed for about 280 years and is considered the standard of German quality. Its ceramic products will be a godsend for any housewife.

High-quality ceramic dishes are made in Italy. Firm De silva known for its heat-resistant and very beautiful red clay dishes.

If you decide to purchase ceramic dishes, then it is better to opt for a complete set of dishes, because then all the elements that are in it will be of the same style and color. Today there are sets in different styles, for example, Provence. And all the dishes can be white or colored. It looks beautiful and aesthetically pleasing.

It will not be superfluous to determine the type of ceramics. The most excellent option for the kitchen will be the option of earthenware, this material is suitable for both a gas stove and for baking in the oven. Earthenware has an affordable cost, and the dishes from it are not afraid of temperature changes. There are also terracotta options, but they can not be put on open fire. After washing, they should be thoroughly wiped.

Ceramic dishes will be an excellent solution for gas, electric and glass-ceramic hobs. And it is better to use such cookware on the burners, which will be slightly smaller than the diameter of the pot and pan. And for cooking in the oven, dishes should have handles that can be removed if necessary.

In order for the dishes to be intact for the longest time, sharp changes in temperature should not be allowed. For example, you should not put a cold pan on a preheated hotplate, or put food into it immediately after you take them out of the refrigerator or freezer.

Caring for pottery is quite simple. And if you follow simple rules, the dishes will last a long time.

• Any ceramic dishes should be washed in warm water with the addition of a few drops of detergent. In addition, such dishes should not be immediately placed in cold water after cooking. Otherwise, it may crack. The dishes can always be glued, but at the same time the appearance will no longer be an attractive table.
• In no case should you use metal sponges for grinding. This will damage the surface of such dishes.
• If the dishes are glazed, then it can not be dried, because the moisture itself quickly evaporates on clay. But if the dishes are unglazed, then everything is different. It must be wiped after each wash and left in the open air until completely dry. Otherwise, the moisture will be on it for a long time, and when you heat such wet dishes, it may crack.

See how to make ceramic dishes with your own hands in the next video.