What is a decanter?
Today, not every kitchen has utensils such as a decanter. In most cases, it is considered a relic and is not used in everyday life. But in vain! With its help you can beautifully serve alcohol to the table. Vodka or whiskey is poured into it, and there are also decanters for water, juice and wine. However, you should not think that this product is needed only for aesthetics. The decanter helps to better reveal the taste of any drink due to its narrow neck, which protects the contents of the container from contact with oxygen.
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What is a decanter: characteristic features
This is a vessel that is wide at the bottom (often glass), it has a long narrow neck, and a stopper is required. Designed for supplying and storing water and drinks. The product is shaped like a bottle (although there are different variations).
If we talk about non-alcoholic drinks, then water, lemonade, juice, compote or fruit drink, and cruchon are served in a carafe. In this case, containers are used in which the “body” abruptly turns into a neck that is closed with a lid. The volume is usually 1,500-2,500 ml.
For alcohol, decanters are produced in the form of a beautiful and elegant bottle, and also always with a cork. For vodka - a small vessel with a volume of 400-500 ml. Before serving, it is better to put the dishes in the refrigerator for a while, then on the table they will fog up from the warm air and become moist, and this will only improve the taste of the vodka. For rum, liqueur, liqueurs and other strong drinks, use containers with a volume of 250-350 ml.
What types of decanters are there?
There are now many varieties, made from different materials and decorated in different ways. Conventionally, they can be divided into two types: for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Such containers can be faceted or with smooth lines. They can decorate any holiday and save space on the table.
By shape
The decanter can have different designs: in the form of a cone, drop, pyramid, parallelepiped. However, the most important condition is a wide base and a narrow neck, and the transition of shape is sometimes very abrupt.
By volume
In fact, it doesn’t matter what the capacity of the decanter is. However, there are certain unspoken rules regarding what volume is suitable for a particular drink:
- Vodka, cognac, whiskey and other strong alcohol - no more than 500 ml. The neck of such vessels is narrow, and the shape is often rectangular. The presence of a cork is an important condition, as in all other cases. It must close tightly: this way the contents do not erode even during long-term storage.
- There are also wine decanters, but they have their own separate name - decanter. Their volume is usually 750 ml. The shape of such products mainly depends on the type of alcohol:
- aged - in the shape of a ball with a narrow neck;
- for pink ones - like an amphora: narrow base, medium-thick neck and wide “body”;
- The homemade drink is poured into a wide container with a funnel-type neck.
According to the material of manufacture
In most cases, decanters are made of glass or crystal. The latter option, of course, will be much more expensive, but it also looks more solid.
Often materials are combined to make the vessel more attractive. For example, figured silver cut-outs are placed on crystal. Such products look very rich and stylish.
Other materials can also be used for decoration: metal, plastic, ceramics. Decanters are often decorated with filigree engraving, gilded decoration, and artistic modeling.
As has already become clear, the carafe is intended for serving strong or sweet drinks. It is not only convenient, but also looks beautiful on the table.
