When we stop and wander through the dazzling shops, we think about how to make the best choice and look for a ceramic tableware that is both beautiful and safe.
Sometimes, those diverse colors and beautiful patterns can attract us to buy, but behind this, there is an invisible danger that can also creep in.
Today, I would like to share with you some knowledge about ceramic tableware to help you protect the health of yourself and your family while pursuing beauty.
01
Understanding ceramics: overglaze and underglaze
In China, the history of ceramics can be traced back thousands of years.
Among them, the underglaze color technology began in the Eastern Han Dynasty, which is characterized by the color directly painted on the plain blank, and then the glaze is sealed, and then fired at high temperature.
This process makes the underglaze color soft and hygienic.
During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, there was a major breakthrough in China's ceramic craftsmanship - overglaze color technology.
This technique involves painting on white glazed or colored porcelain that has already been fired, and then firing it a second time to make the colors more vivid and varied.
The appearance of glaze color greatly enriches the decorative form of ceramics, and also makes ceramic products more exquisite and gorgeous.
These two different crafts each create an artistic effect that is pleasing to the eye. However, there are significant differences between them when it comes to security.
02
Which ceramic bowl should I choose?
Beauty and danger coexist
The glaze color tableware has bright colors and diverse patterns, and it is extremely decorative.
However, behind these seemingly attractive features, there are sometimes hidden dangers.
Since the color in the overglaze color process is directly exposed to the surface of the tableware, if the color material is not of good quality or the firing process is improper, it may lead to the dissolution of heavy metals, posing a potential threat to human health.
In order to reduce costs, some unscrupulous businesses may choose low-quality pigments or paints, which may contain heavy metals such as lead and mercury.
The long-term accumulation of these elements in the body may have an impact on human health.
A safer choice
Compared with overglaze tableware, underglaze tableware has higher safety. Because the color material is wrapped by the glaze seal, it is not in direct contact with food, and it is not easy to precipitate even if it contains heavy metal elements.
In addition, underglaze color meals have soft colors, which are more in line with people's aesthetics and give people visual enjoyment. And the surface is smooth, not easy to breed bacteria, in line with the requirements of hygiene.
03
Measure & Choose: A Balance Between Beauty and Safety
Although overglaze tableware is slightly less safe than underglaze tableware, it is not without its advantages. Overglaze tableware has greater advantages in terms of aesthetics and personalization.
With the progress of science and technology, the quality of today's glaze color technology and color materials has been greatly improved, and the glaze color tableware of large brands and manufacturers can also be better safeguarded.
When choosing tableware, we should try to buy products with regular brands and labeled "food grade".
In addition, by observing the color of the tableware, it is possible to make a preliminary judgment about its safety.
Colors that are too bright or too dark can mean that they contain too many heavy metal elements, and such cutlery should be avoided.
To sum up, consumers still need to pay attention to factors such as the brand reputation of the product and the color of the product when buying glaze color tableware to ensure the safety of tableware.
04
How to choose high-quality porcelain tableware?
Knowing all kinds of knowledge about ceramic tableware, we should learn how to make a choice that suits us. So, how do we choose good porcelain tableware?
1. We can observe the texture of porcelain. Good porcelain tableware should have a delicate and uniform texture, with no obvious impurities or bubbles. When you tap the porcelain gently, if the sound is crisp and pleasant, it usually means that the texture of the porcelain is tighter.
2. We need to pay attention to the production process of porcelain. High-quality porcelain tableware should have clear, bright patterns and colors with smooth lines.
In addition, it is also important to observe the details such as the edge and bottom of the porcelain to check whether it is regular and smooth, and there are no obvious flaws or deformations.
3. Of course, there is the safety of porcelain. We should try to choose products with regular brands and labeled "food grade".
In addition, it is best to wash and disinfect the newly purchased porcelain tableware before use to ensure its hygiene and safety.
Write at the end
While enjoying the food, we also need to pay attention to our daily life. Choosing safe utensils and cleaning them properly can improve our quality of life bit by bit. Let's enjoy food in our daily lives while protecting the health of ourselves and our families.