Soup plates: what sizes are there 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 fairly familiar appearance, soup plates differ in shape, volume and material of manufacture.

Deep plates should not have handles (this is already a tureen or a bouillon). On the table they are placed on a serving plate, a spoon is placed on the right. Before the soup bowl usually have a patty, sour cream and sauces are served in sauceboats.

Dining plates can be made of various materials. It is impossible to identify those that are better or worse. The main thing is to understand in what conditions and for which dishes the purchase of dishes is planned. Already these criteria can be repelled by choosing the material of the product. Consider the most common options.

Ceramic dishes is a product of natural clay that can withstand high temperatures. On top of the dishes are covered with glaze, in the finished form can be as natural terracotta shades, and be painted in any other color. It is also possible to apply murals and drawings on ceramic plates. Such products are quite thick and heavy, but, despite this, fragile: they can crack from a blow, from an abrupt change in temperature.

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

Faience - this is the same ceramics, but subjected to a single roasting and more refined. Top layer - glaze. Earthenware plates are quite heavy, but porous. The last property is the reason that the earthenware dishes are fragile.

However, with sufficient care, the plates will last long enough. This, as well as affordability, makes these models very popular. It is worth noting that over time, faults and grooves form over the faience. At the site of damage to the upper layer with the formation of darkening.

Porcelain is a clay base, but subjected to multiple roasting. As a result, the product turns out to be light, but there are no pores on its surface. As a result, the 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 white plates without patterns and reliefs.

Thanks to its exquisite appearance Porcelain always looks festive, such a set is a great option for solemn feasts. Do not put porcelain dishes in a dishwasher or microwave oven.

Dishes from this material can be transparent, dark and colored, with pictures.It is optimal for use in the microwave oven. Plates differ in reasonable price and durability, the main thing is to avoid sudden temperature changes when using them plates.

They look especially impressive in transparent and darkened dishes with many elements. Glass ceramic counterparts have some similarities with glass plates. However, they are more durable (they are not afraid of gentle blows), they are less susceptible to the effects of 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 plates, because It can only be used under cold dishes. If you violate this rule, the material may darken and break.

Plates of metal - 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 heat up quickly, so it is easy to get burned when using them.

Products not suitable for frequent use. They must be met from food 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 disadvantage of plastic plates - the food in them quickly cools, they themselves heat up and easily deform.

Wooden plates - this is primarily environmental friendliness and authenticity. However, today they are usually used as a decorative element. The reason is that it is rather difficult to care for such dishes, besides, wood absorbs odors.

Modern material obtained by chemical experiments. Represents fake diamond. Products from it turn out rather strong, attractive and noble externally.

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 amount of calories eaten. Half-liter deep dishes are optimal for men as well as those who do not limit themselves in food. In this way, the number of grams per dish 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 less than the diameter of the upper part. Thanks to the bevelled edges, broths and soups do not spill out of the dishes, in addition, the rims serve to remove excess liquid from the spoon. The sides of the plates can be smooth or embossed, they are often decorated.

The sides can be wider, sometimes they can even serve the sauce. Sometimes it is not easy to pour soup in plates with wide sides without smearing the sides. In addition, these plates take up a lot of space on the table when serving. The wider the plate, the faster the soup cools, in deeper dishes the food will stay hot longer. Modern manufacturers also produce square and even triangular handicaps. Square products look stylish, take up little space on the table, and are also ergonomic in storage.

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

Consider the most popular brands, in the product lines of which there are deep plates.

• Premium Brand Colombo (China) produces serving dishes, as well as porcelain tea sets. The new collection in design execution is regularly released. Combines all the collections of floral ornament, which goes on the snow-white dishes. In Russia, it is difficult to purchase products from this manufacturer, since there are no official stores. However, you can find official distributors on the Internet.
• Another premium brand is the German company Continental. It positions its porcelain products as dishes for institutions, since it has high strength indicators. For this product are composed of aluminum oxide and additionally reinforced edges of dishes. As a result, it is inert to temperature extremes, acids, impacts. On the dishes also has a 5-year warranty from the date of purchase.
• Ware for the restaurant produces and the company Helfer (Austria). These are porcelain products in a classic design. A clear advantage - increased impact resistance, stylish elegant design.
• American brand Corelle It also gives a guarantee on its dishes (albeit 3 ​​years), which it makes from three-layer heat-resistant glass. Products do not have a coating or glaze is applied on top of them, thereby achieving an imitation of a porcelain surface. Cookware is suitable for serving and using in the microwave, does not absorb odors, retains heat for a long time. And thanks to the painting “decal” (relief patterns, which are applied by engraving or perforation), the dishes are especially beautiful, and the pattern is maintained for up to 10 years with daily use of the dishes.
• If you like high-quality double-fired and glazed ceramics, pay attention to Dishes Costa Nova. In addition to high quality and durability, it is worth noting the attractiveness of the dishes. The main design motifs are ethnic, floral.
• Among domestic producers there are also worthy brands, for example, Domenik. Products are manufactured in 3 versions - from glass, ceramics and porcelain. It is clear that glass plates are suitable for use in the microwave, but this manufacturer makes possible the similar use of porcelain counterparts, thanks to a special production technology. As for the design, this is the variety of choice mainly 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 porcelain dishes. What is striking is that the products are painted by hand, but at the same time their cost remains quite affordable for the buyer.
• Glassware lovers can also recommend plates brands Luminarc (France) and Pasabahce (Turkey). The use of high-strength heat-resistant glass allows you to avoid the appearance of pores on the surface, and thus make the plates strong, inert to the effects of acids, abrasives, high temperatures. Such products can be put in the microwave and dishwasher-safe. Luminarc plates are a combination of classic performance and practicality.
• Posud de Luxe will appeal to lovers of unusual shapes and designs. 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 not all possible options.

The first criterion in choosing soup plates is the material of manufacture. For solemn occasions, as well as, if finances allow, preference can be given to porcelain.If food is often heated in the microwave, then you should choose glassware. Those who are concerned about the eco-friendly dishes, we can recommend ceramics. Universal and democratic version - faience.

When selecting porcelain, lightly strike it with your hand. Porcelain should sound loud, and the sound will gradually fade away. If you hear a dull sound, you will find earthenware for more expensive china. Naturally, need to check quality certificates - this is the only way to make sure that the dishes comply with the existing standards and are environmentally friendly. The most convenient form recognized round.

The classic color is white and its shades. Such dishes look organically in any kitchen, combined with a variety of options for dishes and textiles. Bright plates with floral patterns can be considered versatile, they will help to create a light and relaxed atmosphere. Psychologists say that the bright colors of the dishes stimulate the 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 fatigue, it is recommended to use the dishes of green, light green shades. Plates of rich yellow and red colors stimulate the appetite. But the cold blue and deep blue colors will help control it.

In the next video you will find a review of the soup bowl Luminarc Feston.