What is Tableware?

Tableware is the term that is used to describe any kind of dish or dishware that is used for setting up a table, serving food and finally dinning. It has various categories under it according to how these objects are used and are often categorized according to the materials they are made up of. The rules of how they are arranged and or what kinds of tableware exist vary from different cultures, countries, religions, cuisines and so on.

The act of “setting the table” refers to placing the various tableware in their correct space, including individual arrangements and also decorating the table to match the mood of the occasion. These of course are more relevant for special occasions than everyday mealtime. The quality of tableware is also often seen to be more elaborate during special occasion, having more things to take care of.

What are the various categories of tableware?

Tableware has four different categories based on the function they play in the dining experience. The word “ware” basically means any number of a particular type of object which is made out of same material and/or used for the same purpose. Thus, specifically, tableware can be divided as: serveware, flatware, dinnerware and lastly, drinkware.

Serveware:
The name of this comes from its purpose, which is to serve. This kind of tableware comprises of serving plates, bowls, dishes, gravy boats that are all used to bring the food to the table or are used to place the food on the table from where people can help themselves. Trays and Pitchers also fall into this category. Their motive is to hold large portions together in one space.

Flatware:
The most essential part of tableware, flatware consists of all the utensils that are used to actually consume the food served. These are spoons, forks and knives that one uses to help themselves with the food during their dining experience. This category can have specialized utensils as well, varying on the meal, culture and country and so on, for example a soup spoon or butter knife.

Dinnerware:
This type of tableware if for the individual portions. This is where an individual has their meal from. So this category consists of a range of dishes and bowls. This category can also have specialized utensils according to various factors, like ramekins for some desserts or soup bowls etc. A special occasion or a fancy dining experience might also have different dinnerware for different courses, introducing many more kinds of dinnerware in a single meal.

Drinkware:
As the name suggests, for the drinks that accompany meals, this is the tableware used. They too are for individual portions. These include cups, glasses, and mugs and so on. Depending on the type of drink, these can vary.

What are the different types of tableware?

Tableware is also sometimes categorised by the kind of material they are made of. Some of the popular ones are:

Silverware: These are as you guessed, made of silver. However, they are sometimes synonymously used for flatware.

Earthenware: These are the ones made of clay and then fired to make a sturdy piece of utility item.

Chinaware: Tableware made of china, which could be ceramic and/or porcelain.