Decanters are used for wine decantation, while carafes are decorative and used for serving a variety of beverages. Decanters have cork stoppers, while carafes do not. Glass is the primary material for decanters, while carafes can use other materials. Decanters have a wider bottom and longer neck, while carafes have a wider neck and longer body.
Both a decanter and carafe can be used as containers for liquids such as wine and other alcoholic beverages. As for their differences, some claim that a decanter usually has a cork and a carafe has none. Their real differences, however, lie in their purposes and functions.
Compared to a carafe, a decanter probably has a more important role in cellars. This bottle is used during the wine decantation process, hence the name “decanter”. Red wine in particular, especially old and aged varieties, can form some sediment at the bottom of the bottle. This sedimentation can give a bitter and unpleasant taste. Once the sediment has settled to the bottom, the wine can be poured into the decanter, which now contains the “clarified wine”.
A carafe, on the other hand, serves as a decorative bottle or container to make table settings more elegant. They can also hold other beverages than wine or spirits and can be used for fresh or hot juices. Some carafes are also made with insulation to maintain the temperature of the drink for a longer period.
The carafe does not come with a stopper or cork to make pouring drinks more convenient. Decanters may need cork stoppers to keep air from contaminating the wine and prevent the clarified drink from leaking out. The purposes of a decanter and carafe can heavily dictate the materials used on the bottles. Glass is usually the primary and only material for a decanter, and a carafe can use other materials such as plastic or metal. Clear glass is important for a decanter so that the wine pourer can see whether there is still sediment in the wine.
Both a decanter and carafe can have a wider bottom, tapered necks and a wider lip. The difference is that the decanter tends to have a much wider bottom, much like that of a basin, and a longer neck. The carafe tends to have a wider neck and overall longer body to accommodate large volumes of liquid. A decanter and carafe can both be used to serve wines and drinks, although a carafe is more often used during everyday meals. A decanter, on the other hand, is only used when an aged wine is to be served, as the wines should be opened and drunk within a few days.
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