We have been getting questions lately about tableware and what is considered good quality. Here, we present you with a list of the different choices you have in the market. It should give you a broad understanding of the products for you to choose what fits best your use and budget. Please keep those questions coming in the comments. Like and follow us on your favorite social media portals.
Bone China
If there is one word to describe Bone China it’s quality. Bone China originated during the Han Dynasty between 206 BC and 220 AD. It is made in the traditional way to this day but its production has spread all over the world. The ingredient that makes it more expensive but higher quality is the addition of animal bone ashes. A high quality mix would contain as much as 30 to 40 percent bone ash as an ingredient, then it is set on fire at very high temperatures. This ingredient makes the final product very delicate, translucent and because of its strength, it can be made very thin. So, although you can tell how much lighter it is when you pick up bone china, it is much stronger than items made with other materials.
Learn more about the origins of Bone China by watching this video.
Porcelain
When we look for more affordable alternatives, porcelain is a great choice. The lack of the bone ashes as an ingredient, make a crisper white material that is not translucent. However, it is very resilient and can be used in microwave ovens. Unlike bone china, you can wash it in a dishwasher with regular detergents. It is heavier on the hand and to give you an idea of its strength, floor and wall tiles are made of the same materials. Kaolin, a silicate material, is used to give it strength and resilience.
Stoneware
Although it is considered more casual, stoneware is very chip resistant. You find it readily in big box and homeware stores. It is heavy and it’s weaker than porcelain. It is made mostly of clay and a few other ingredients that vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Use it with care as it breaks more easily. Because it’s inexpensive, it comes in a wide variety of colors and styles. It is not recommended for microwave use. Its name is derived from the similarities it has to stone.
Earthenware
It is the most porous of all the materials, but it is the most affordable except for plastic. Before it can be used, the clay is made waterproof by the application of glazes both for color and to seal it. There is no mistaking it for any of the other options.
Melamine
This material is made entirely of resin. It is quite strong and it is hard to break or chip. It is the least prized of the options, because it is a product of modern manufacturing. Because of this, it doesn’t have the same fan base as some of the other options. To its benefit, it comes in a wide variety of colors and shapes and you can find it most anywhere.
We hope this brief description is useful to you. If you enjoy this type of content, don’t forget to like and follow us so you don’t miss more articles like this one in the future.
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