Spotlight

Achieving cut-glass clarity

Luxury is a state of mind and it is the experience which brings it to life. Adding soft touches go a long way and what is better than to make a mark with the use of glassware. By Sayoni Bhaduri

When speaking of luxury, glassware is an integral facet. As part of tableware, everyone looks and uses it, but how long it is retained for its individual style and aesthetics is the lurking question. It is perhaps one of the most important criteria for creating a value-added experience but yet that fact doesn't take away from its functional significance.

Glassware basics

The variety available within the sphere of glassware is astounding. The types of glasses themselves are the beginning of the demarcation as to which kind of product one would want to use. Soda-lime glass, also known as soft glass is not generally used for tableware purposes. Similar is the case with lead crystal - the use of this can be fatal due to lead contamination.

Today the most commonly found and widely used type of glassware is the crystalline glass. Distinct from other types of glassware, crystal glass is defined by its transparency, sonority and higher specific weight. The glass can be moulded into various required shapes and forms to cater to any kind of market. The unique aspect of crystal glass is that the bowl and the stem are created from the same drop molten glass. Typically, east European tradition in glassware is the cut crystal glass made by etchings in the glass itself. In India, it still done by hand, but with the advent of new technology most countries produce machine-made cut glass.

The other popular variety of glass is the Borosilicate (BG) glass. With five per cent boric acid, it is much stronger than the other varieties, and hence it is used for cooking purposes, being commonly ovenproof, and microwave proof.

Adding colour to glassware helps add to the allure of the table. To produce coloured glassware, the colour is added in the initial stages of production. Iron sulfate is added to produce amber or brown glasses, iron-chromite added at different levels produce green-tinted glassware, while the addition of cobalt produces blue glassware.

Not just a value-add

You know glassware has made an impact if it becomes a topic of conversation among guests. Mostly glassware is in the category of drinking vessels. These range from tumblers, goblets and stems to pilsner glasses, snifters, mugs, rocks glasses, margarita glasses, shot glasses, martini glasses, hi-ball glasses, champagne glasses and English pub glasses. Others include crystal sets ,bowls, ice buckets, vases, jugs, and sometimes even crockery is often made of glassware.

For large scale use such as in F&B outlets, there are three focal points to be considered while purchasing glassware: price, quality and durability. Together with simplicity and elegance, these three are the must-have requirements for most hotels and that is the only long standing trend which remains. "The rest depends on the theme and style of the F&B outlet and easy availability," says Mrinal Sarkar, director of F&B, Le Royal Meridien, Mumbai.

Similar to any other trend, trends in glassware too reciprocate the growing needs of the well-travelled Indian. With every new destination and every new experience, he wishes to duplicate the same on home grounds. However, Pradeep Maroo, sales head of East Coast Global opines, "It is unfortunate that most hotels opt for products which lack aesthetics that go beyond their theme. Their only criteria for selection is that glassware should be cheap and therefore cost-effective in case of breakage." He further adds that the situation is however changing, with many purchase managers and executive chefs now looking for detailing and styles which make a statement. Still the trend needs to pick up fast and on a large scale. Sarkar accepts the fact saying, "Price points of products are important, but they are not the only determining factor. Apart from that, it is maintenance and upkeep which poses a question." Cost efficiency will always be a priority and this fact can never be negated. The best solution for that would be for the suppliers to provide better solutions to the purchase mangers and F&B managers. Better catalogues and information is the only way to bring about change in this perception.

Keeping them safe

A big concern with glassware is its maintenance; one can never take enough care of it. Danger lays every step of the way; brought about by a sudden change in temperature or by simply slipping from someone's hands. Also known as thermal shock, sudden change in temperature is a sure shot way to cracked glassware. Simple things like not placing glasses with ice directly in the dishwater and conversely glassware straight out of the dishwater not being directly used for service, go a long way in helping to preserve glassware. Glassware needs to come down to normal temperature to prepare it for further change in temperature. Interestingly, the thicker the glass, the more time it takes to come to normal temperature. Says Sarkar, "The staff needs to be well trained, and should know the importance of the price, as well as the value of the glassware." Protection while washing is also important and taking simple precautions like washing the same sized products at the same time to avoid abrasions and replacing washer brushes periodically can improve the lifecycle of glassware.

On the other hand, once broken their disposal should be safe, sound and fast. It should be removed from the vicinity of the spillage carefully by the service staff, ideally equipped with protective gloves to avoid any injuries. While clearing, there should be adequate light so that no shards are left, cloth or tissue paper are ideal for slivers.