What is a decanter: characteristic features, types, volume

Today, not every kitchen can find such dishes as a decanter. In most cases, it is already 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, one should not think that this product is needed only for aesthetics. The decanter helps to better reveal the taste of any drink due to the narrow neck, which protects the contents of the dishes from contact with oxygen.

What is a decanter: features

This is a vessel wide downwards (often glass), it has a long narrow neck, and the presence of a cork is required. Designed for the supply and storage of 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 a punch are served in a decanter. In this case, containers are used in which the "body" abruptly passes into a neck, which 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 it will fog up from the warm air and become humid, and the taste of vodka will only improve from this. For rum, liqueur, liqueurs and other spirits, containers with a volume of 250-350 ml are used.

What are decanters

There are now many varieties made from different materials and decorated in different ways. They can be conditionally divided into two types: for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Such containers can be faceted or with smooth lines. They are able to decorate any occasion and save space on the table.

By form

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 shape transition 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 about how much is suitable for a particular drink:

1. Vodka, cognac, whiskey and other strong alcohol - no more than 500 ml. The throat of such vessels is narrow, and the shape is often rectangular. The presence of a plug is an important condition, as in all other cases. It should close tightly: so the contents do not fade, even during long-term storage.
2. There are also wine decanters, but they have their own name - decanter. Their volume is usually 750 ml. The shape of such products mainly depends on the type of alcohol:

• aged - in the form of a ball with a narrow neck;
• for pink ones - like an amphora: a narrow base, a medium-thick throat and a wide "body";
• homemade drink is poured into a wide bowl with a funnel-type throat.

By 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, curly silver cutouts are applied to the crystal. Such products look very rich and stylish.

And also other materials can be used for decoration: metal, plastic, ceramics. Decanters are often decorated with filigree engraving, gilding, and artistic modeling.

As it has already become clear, the decanter is intended for serving strong or sweet drinks. It is not only convenient, but also looks beautiful on the table.