A carafe is a container for hot or cold drinks, with variations from simple glass to insulated ones for coffee. It can be used for wine decanting and is often decorated. Insulated carafes retain temperatures longer and come with fitted lids or pump tops. When buying, consider needs and occasion.
A carafe is an ornamental container designed to hold hot or cold drinks. There are numerous variations on the basic design, ranging from simple glass carafes for water to complex insulated ones for holding coffee. The device is closely related to a decanter, designed specifically for alcoholic beverages. Many kitchen and home improvement stores sell carafes.
A very simple carafe is a wide-bottomed container that has a narrower neck and a wide lip. The liquids are poured into the container, which is brought to the table for serving. Guests can help themselves from a carafe, or drinks can be poured for them. Many restaurants, for example, keep a glass carafe of water on the table so diners can help themselves when needed. Cheaper plastic varieties can also be used.
Often, a jug is decorated with ornamental motifs of engraving, painting or relief. The designs can be intended to fit a specific theme, or they can be related to a restaurant or business branding. It is often clear or transparent, allowing people to see the drink inside.
In some cases, a carafe can be used as a wine decanter. Wines are typically decanted to allow them to breathe and for the sediment in the wine to settle to the bottom. White wines are generally not decanted, as they do not mature in the same way as red wines. Red wines of all ages benefit from decanting, as people can find out for themselves through a blind tasting of decanted and freshly opened wines.
An insulated carafe usually has an inner layer of glass and an outer layer of plastic or metal, surrounded by a pocket of air. Hot or cold drinks poured into such a container will retain their temperatures longer. In the case of an insulated carafe designed for pouring, a fitted lid is usually used to ensure that the temperature remains stable, while others feature pump tops. Sometimes a pump top container is called an airpot.
When looking for a carafe, consumers should determine what their needs are first. An insulated carafe that maintains temperatures will likely be more expensive than a plain glass one. Jugs for children’s parties and other casual events should probably be made out of plastic, while a formal party deserves one out of glass or crystal. Decorated carafes should coordinate with the tableware.
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