Soup plates: what sizes are and how to choose them?

It is difficult to imagine a kitchen or catering establishment without deep soup plates. Their main purpose is to serve hot and cold soups, dairy dishes, broths, liquid dishes. Despite the rather familiar appearance, soup plates vary in shape, volume and material of manufacture.

Deep plates should not have handles (these are already tureens or bouillon). On the table they are placed on a serving plate, a spoon is placed on the right. In front of the soup plate, they usually place a pie, sour cream and sauces served in sauces.

Dining plates can be made of various materials. It is impossible to single out those that are better or worse. The main thing is to understand in what conditions and for what dishes the purchase of dishes is planned. Already from these criteria, you can build on choosing the product material. Consider the most common options.

Ceramic dishes are natural clay products that can withstand high temperatures. From above, the dishes are covered with glaze, in the finished form it can have both natural terracotta shades and be painted in any other color. It is also possible to apply paintings and drawings on ceramic plates. Such products are quite thick and heavy, but, despite this, fragile: they can crack due to impact, from a sharp change in temperature.

However, the plates themselves maintain a good temperature - the hot broth in them will remain hot for a long time, and the cool okroshka will not heat up.Outwardly, such dishes look concise and even somewhat rude.

Faience - this is the same ceramics, but subjected to a single firing and more advanced. The top layer is glaze. Earthenware plates are quite heavy, but porous. The latter property becomes the reason that crockery dishes are fragile.

However, with careful handling, the plates will last quite a long time. This, as well as affordability, makes these models very popular. It is worth noting that on the surface of the faience, scratches and grooves form over time. At the site of damage to the upper layer, darkening forms over time.

Porcelain is a clay base, however, subjected to repeated firing. As a result, the product is lightweight, and there are no pores on its surface. As a result, porcelain plates are resistant to acids, alkalis, and high temperatures. Food in porcelain plates remains hot for a long time. The most durable and expensive models are made of solid porcelain. It has long been a classic model of white with gold. Fans of minimalism should consider the option of snow-white plates without a pattern and reliefs.

Due to its sophisticated appearance porcelain always looks festive, such a set is an excellent option for solemn feasts. Do not put porcelain in a dishwasher or microwave oven.

Dishes from this material can be transparent, darkened and colored, with patterns. It is optimal for use in a microwave oven. Plates are affordable and durable. the main thing is to avoid sharp temperature drops when using plates.

Especially spectacular in transparent and darkened items are dishes with many elements. Glass ceramic analogues have some similarities with glass plates. However, they are more durable (not afraid of light shocks), less exposed to temperatures.

Externally, such plates remind glass but they are heavier. If you look through the crystal plates, you can see how the rays of light play and refract through it. Crystal is rarely used for making soup bowls, since it can only be used for cold dishes. If you violate this rule, the material may darken and crack.

Metal plates - these are usually aluminum and steel (stainless steel) products. First of all, they are durable, and therefore are considered a hiking option. However, such models they heat up quickly, so it’s easy to get burned when used.

Products are not suitable for frequent use. They must be fulfilled. food grade plastic preference should be given to products from polystyrene or polypropylene. Before use, make sure that this type of plastic is suitable for hot dishes. Another drawback of plastic plates is the food in them cools quickly, they themselves heat up and are easily deformed.

Wooden plates are primarily environmental friendliness and authenticity. However, today they are usually used as a decorative element. The reason is that it is quite difficult to care for such dishes, in addition, the tree absorbs odors.

Modern material obtained through chemical experiments. Represents fake diamond. Products from it are obtained quite durable, attractive and noble in appearance.

The standard sizes of deep plates range from 0.25 to 0.5 milliliters. The diameter of the dishes also varies and can be equal to 20-40 cm. Less capacious plates are usually suitable (diameter 23 - 24 cm, possibly up to 27 cm) for children and the elderly, as well as for those who carefully control the number of calories eaten. Deep dishes with a volume of half a liter are optimal for men, as well as those who do not limit themselves in food. In this way, the number of grams in one plate depends primarily on its volume. A standard product usually holds 250 ml of soup.

Traditionally, dinner plates have a deep shape, their bottom in diameter is smaller than the diameter of the upper part. Thanks to the beveled edges, broths and soups are not spilled from the dishes, in addition, the sides serve to remove excess liquid from the spoon. The sides of the plates can be smooth or embossed, they are often decorated.

The beads can be wider, sometimes you can even serve sauce on them. It is sometimes difficult to pour soup into plates with wide sides without staining the sides. In addition, such plates take up a lot of space on the table when serving. The wider the plate, the faster the soup will cool, in a deeper bowl the food will stay hot longer. Modern manufacturers also produce dishes of square and even triangular handicap. Square items look stylish, take up little space on the table, and are also ergonomic to store.

Separately, it is worth highlighting plates for kids. As a rule, they are deeper, can be equipped with small handles. However, it is recommended that you teach the older preschooler and schoolchild to eat from “adult” dishes, that is, classic soup plates.

Consider the most popular brands, whose product lines have deep plates.

• Premium Brand Colombo (China) produces serving dishes, as well as tea sets made of porcelain. A new design collection is regularly released. What unites all the collections is the floral ornament that goes along the snow-white dishes. In Russia, it is difficult to purchase products from this manufacturer, since there are no official stores. However, official distributors can be found on the Internet.
• Another premium brand is the German company Continental. She positions her porcelain products as crockery for establishments, since she has increased strength indicators. For this product, aluminum oxide and additionally reinforced edges of the dishes are included. As a result, it is inert to temperature extremes, acids, and shocks. The dishes also have a 5-year warranty from the date of purchase.
• The dishes for the restaurant are produced by the Helfer company (Austria). These are porcelain products in a classic design. A clear advantage - increased impact resistance, stylish elegant design.
• American brand Corelle also gives a guarantee on its dishes (true, 3 years), which is made of three-layer heat-resistant glass. Products are not coated or glazed on top of them, thereby achieving imitation of the porcelain surface. The dishes are suitable for serving and use in microwave ovens, do not absorb odors, and keep food warm for a long time. And thanks to the “decal” painting (relief ornaments, which are applied by engraving or perforation), the dishes are especially beautiful, and the pattern lasts up to 10 years with daily use of dishes.
• If you like high-quality ceramics, double-fired and coated with glaze, then pay attention to plates of Costa Nova. In addition to high quality and durability, it is worth noting the visual appeal of the dishes. The main design motives are ethnic, floral.
• Among domestic manufacturers there are also worthy brands, for example, Domenik. Products are available in 3 versions - from glass, ceramics and porcelain. It is clear that glass plates are suitable for use in microwave ovens, but this manufacturer makes it possible to use porcelain analogs in the same way, thanks to a special production technology. As for the design, this variety of choices is mainly of the classical direction. There is also a line of children's dishes.
• Perhaps one of the most amazing companies can be called Leander. They produce plates and other china dishes. It is amazing that the products are painted by hand, but at the same time their cost remains quite affordable for the buyer.
• Fans of glassware can also recommend plates of the brands Luminarc (France) and Pasabahce (Turkey). The use of high-strength heat-resistant glass avoids the appearance of pores on the surface, which means that the plates are strong, inert to acids, abrasives, and high temperatures. Such items can be microwaved and dishwasher safe. Plates from Luminarc are a combination of classic design and practicality.
• Posud de Luxe Company lovers of unusual shapes and designs will appeal. The product line is divided into 2 groups - dishes from ceramics and porcelain.
• If you are looking for bold color and design solutions, pay attention to GreenGate products. A red plate, black with white patterns - these are far from all possible options.

The first criterion for choosing soup plates is the material of manufacture. For special occasions, as well as, if finances allow, preference can be given to china. If food is often heated in the microwave, then glass products should be chosen. Those who are worried about the environmental friendliness of the dishes can recommend ceramics. A universal and democratic option is earthenware.

When choosing a porcelain product, lightly tap it with your hand. Porcelain should sound loud, and the sound will gradually fade away. If you hear a dull sound, before you is a faience, pretending to be more expensive china. Naturally, need to check quality certificates - this is the only way to make sure that the dishes comply with existing standards, their environmental friendliness. The most convenient form is recognized as round.

The classic color is white and its shades. Such dishes look organically in any kitchen, combined with many options for dishes and textiles. Light plates with a vegetable pattern can be considered universal, they will help create a light and relaxed atmosphere. Psychologists say that the bright colors of dishes stimulate appetite.

If you are not afraid to eat too much, then bright colored dishes will help to place accents at the table. If you feel a breakdown, it is recommended to use dishes of green, green shades. Plates of saturated yellow and red colors stimulate appetite. But cool blue and deep blue colors will help control it.

In the next video, you will find an overview of the Luminarc Feston soup plate.