Glass Carafe

Over the past decade, (or so) the word “coffee” has developed a new definition such as cappuccino, frothy, caffe’ latte, expresso as well as ice cold flavored treats. A cup of coffee is not just for the morning jumpstart, or a warm dinner beverage that was made by a freshly brewed drip or the peculated method coffee pot. Today, we live in the age of coffee drinks customized to the individual tastes of the drinker, and most of them adapted from the popular ways to enjoy coffee. In addition, to create this style of coffee, hot and cold beverage carafes needed some updating especially the carafe insulation.
Along with hundreds of types of coffee servers, there are also several types of insulation devices used for coffee carafes. Found in millions of hotels and/or restaurants, the insulated carafe features a shatterproof non-glass liner. The development of ABS plastic has the look of porcelain and the durability of plastic. Many of these coffee carafes have triple wall insulation, which refers to air pockets among the three layers of insulation as well as locking push button stoppers, push once for pour, then push a second time to reseal, most of the inner liners are stain resistant and odor free.
The polyurethane insulated coffee carafes will keep your hot beverages as well as cold, for a minimum of 2-4 hours of temperature retention. Many of these are sold with heat resistant handles and interchangeable color caps for beverage identification. These coffee carafes are dishwasher safe and odorless.
The commercial grade vacuum stainless steel lined (and body) airpots are becoming quite popular in coffee shops around the world. The jumbo unique coffee carafe holds 84 oz. of hot or cold beverages for 6+ hours of temperature retention, and it also comes with a special lock to prevent accidental pouring, and no glass to shatter. Most of these coffee carafes have an aroma-loc design to maintain fresh tasting flavor for long periods of time. The handle of the 1 liter coffee carafe is made with an ergonomically designed for a comfortable grip.
Although non-glass lined coffee carafes are sought after most often, the vacuum glass carafe line also continues to be on the bestseller’s list, not only for temperature retention of 6+ hours. On the contrary, many consumers enjoy the classic design of the chrome body with the black ABS plastic parts in addition to the variety of great tasting coffee.

During the great depression, glass decanters (Glass carafes) were associated with everyday use for tableware and for meals. The decanter was used for serving either wine or water and every piece had a specific size and use, such as sherbert bowls for sherbert, wine glasses for wine, tumblers, salad bowls and plates. In addition, the decanters were also used as a container for bath salts and the stopper was used to measure with. In 1930-1934, the Hocking Glass Company manufactured a glass carafe /glass decanter line named “Cameo.” This piece is also referred to as “Ballerina” or “Dancing Girl” and they have been described as the most adored pattern of Depression Glass. The darker green bottles with the Cameo design are marked on the bottom as “Whitehouse Vinegar.” As the name infers, these were sold with vinegar and a cork and glass stoppers should be found on the water bottles. The glass stoppers do not have the cameo pattern on them, they are plain paneled stoppers with hollow centers and are often missing from the bottles. For instance, purchasing a glass decanter and matching stopper that were sold with bath salts from the depression era, are particularly hard to find because the decanters that were sold with the bath salts, were most likely broken due to wet conditions in the bathroom.

Today if you are fortunate enough to find any of these rare glass decanters, I will include some examples of asking prices. A 10″ green ’Cameo’decanter with stopper is valued at over $200.00, and the crystal and platinum decanter with stopper is $275.00. In addition, the matching stoppers are made with the frost appearance, and represent as much as 1/3 of the decanter’s value. In 1927, the Monongah Glass Company manufactured a line named “Springtime” and the green decanter with a cut facet stopper is valued as much as $125.00. In the late 1930’s to late 1940’s, the Dell Glass Company manufactured the “Tulip” line of glass decanters and glass carafes. The elusive amethyst (also in blue) glass decanter with a tulip styled stopper is valued at $495.00. The least expensive depression glass decanter was manufactured by the Indiana Glass Company from the 1920’s to the 1980’s. The line was named “Sandwich” due to the nature of the manufacturing time and the price range is $25.00 – $150.00. Crystal & Amber colored glass decanters are $25.00, red is $80.00 and pink or green $150.00. Manufacturing the green and pink glass decanters in the 1920’s-1930’s are justifiably priced, as well as the red decanters/carafes which were most likely manufactured after the depression. The least expensive Amber & Crystal decanter/carafe are most likely the easiest to find. There is no simple method to distinguish old crystal from new as most of the new was made from original molds. The depression glass decanters are expensive to collect, but in comparison to the dollar amount, the value of these antiques are considered priceless by many.

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More than likely, a combination of extremely high temperatures that would mix volcanic eruptions, lightning strikes and the impact of meteorites, combined with a sudden cool down are more than likely the logical reasoning for naturally occurring glass. A glass cutting tool referred to as tektites is also a natural formed glass believed to be in connection with some type of extraterrestrial, also referred to as obsidianities. Volcanic glass is referred to hyalopsite. Mountain Mahogany or Iceland Agate were also used as cutting tools by stone age man.
In the region of Syria 5000 BC, ancient-Roman historian Pliny became aware of glass while observing Phoenician merchants using cooking pots on blocks of nitrate placed very closely to their fire. This process eventually led to melting and mixing with the sand on the beach that caused formation of an opaque liguid.
Man-made transparent glass beads date back to 3500 BC, the ancient Egyptians were creative with any symbol or design of beauty. They did not place limitations of any kind of body ornamentation. Creating and wearing glass jewelry had many symbols such as holistic fashion, value and spiritual protection. In Egypt as well as Eastern Mesopotamia, glass was also used as a glaze for ceramic pots and vases. The combination of basic raw materials of glass, calciferous sand, soda and extreme heat from an overhead kiln created a new art, this news spread quickly along the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea.
Hollow glass production began 1500 BC, the Egyptians developed a system for producing glass pots. They perfected a process of dipping a core mold of compacted sand into a mass of melted glass, then rolling it on a stone or flat slab for smoothness and/or decoration.
It is estimated that between 27 BC and AD 14, Glassblowing was discovered by using a long thin metal tube created by Syrian craftsmen. At this time, a variety of shapes, sizes & designs were originated by the ancient Romans. That very technique remains the same today. In AD 100, the Roman Empire is responsible for the success of glassworks across western Europe as well as the Mediterranean. In addition, the Romans uncovered the secret to clear glass which involves the use of manganese oxide. With the discovery of clear glass, the Romans attempted to cast glass windows for designing and constructing valuable buildings in Rome in addition to luxurious villas of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Although the fall and geographical division of the Roman Empire slowed the progress of glassmaking techniques in that area, in Alexandria they were producing luxurious glass items for export such as the glass carafe.

Chances are that if you are searching for a glass carafe, you are running into many decanters. Glass carafes and decanters are very similar. In fact, without the stopper on the decanter, you may mistake it for a carafe. Decanters will often have a stopper or cork. This is because decanters are often used for red wine or whiskey and the decanter will also be used for storage or aeration, as well as serving. However chances are quite good that your glass carafe will be used for something more like orange juice or milk and these will often be served immediately. There will be no need for aeration or storage and the carafes’ main purpose will be for elegance or beauty on the breakfast or dinner table. So the next time you have guests over for a nice meal or holiday celebration, don’t forget to share your favorite beverage in a beautiful decanter or glass carafe.

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The Glass Carafe History

   Historically, prior to the fall of the Roman Empire, the Ancient Romans used glass carafes solely for the purpose of serving wine. During this period, the production of glass greatly declined, and as a result the Romans used several other metals and/or materials to produce carafes such as silver and gold, bronze, and earthenware which is pottery made from fired clay. However during the Renaissance era, the creation of beautifully etched glass carafes were made.
   
The Arabic word for Carafe was Gharaffa, this type of container was used to hold coffee. The Italian word for Carafe was Carraffa, the Italians used this container for wine as well as coffee. In 1786, the French changed the name Carraffa to Carafe, as it remains today.
   
Although many people are under the impression that carafes are used for serving wine on special occasions, entertaining dinner guests and when breaking out the “good china” for holiday meals. In fact, one important function of using a carafe for wine is effective aeration for “breathing”.
   
Initially the shape of a carafe is a wide bottom bottle container, most carafes have narrow necks that bow out to the mouth of the bottle which is a flaring lip at the top. The wide mouth exposes the wine to the air, this allows the wine to effectively breathe to expose and enhance the natural flavors.
   
In addition to choosing a carafe as well as a beautifully desinged decanter, the wine carafe is also used to eliminate the sediment from the wine. Pouring the wine slowely from the original bottle into a carafe allows you to watch carefully as the sediment approaches the neck of the bottle, at that point you are finished pouring. You may have about 1/4 of the wine left in the bottle which can be used for cooking to enhance the flavor of your favorite meals.

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