Eating is a sensory experience, and the look, smell, and feel of food in the mouth help decide whether or not the dish is enjoyed. Texture plays a key role in influencing the perception of taste, providing endless opportunities of innovation for chefs who seek to surprise every time. Finding the right texture for the proposed food is a process that can take time and effort, and it is not only about the ingredients themselves, such as pasta and sauces, or meat and side dishes, but also the right combination with the tableware used for a presentation that is complete.
Why textures and design are important at the table
If the texture of the food tasted is crucial because it gives information about the structure of the meal and how to eat it, the sensations in the mouth do the rest: crunchy, smooth, soft, chewy, hard or lumpy or combinations of textures that contribute to the taste experience beyond the flavors. But culinary artistry does not stop with food preparation: a tasty menu is only one part of the experience that is offered to customers and guests.
Presentation also plays a decisive role: the tableware chosen is not just for serving food, but sets the stage for the meal, arouses emotions, and helps build memorable moments. Design can affect the introduction and the expectations that are created about the food. For example, a high edged dinnerware may make the dish seem more plentiful, while a container with a minimalist design can highlight the food more prominently. Combinations with space furnishings and decorations should also be considered.
It may be the aesthetics that leave the first impression, but the texture of tableware is a game changer. In fact, it introduces a new level of depth and complexity, elevating the dining experience and engaging multiple senses. Structure has a curious way of playing with our minds: several research studies, including an Oxford University study, have shown that the texture of tableware can influence the perception of food and can even change the taste. Different textures evoke as many emotions and set the mood of the meal, whether it is an elegant dinner party or a casual buffet.
The textures of porcelain tableware: smooth or rough?
When it comes to dinnerware, texture refers to the feel of the surface of plates, bowls, cups, and baking dishes. It can be smooth and shiny or rough with a matte finish. Knowing the variety of tableware textures is essential to making choices that not only match the chef’s taste, but also fit the occasion.
Discover the endless selection of finishes we offer.
The aesthetics of matte black: Ghisa
A contemporary look with a unique sense of texture. Ghisa line’s matte black finish exudes a mysterious aura of tranquility that accompanies dishes served in singular elegance. Texture is integral to the visual appeal of baking dishes, round and oval plates, pans, salad bowls, casseroles and finger containers. A pinnacle of elegance and sophistication, in a perfect combination of modern design and traditional craftsmanship, MPS porcelain with a matte finish is a sophisticated choice for any table, from the minimalist to the most elaborate style. An enigmatic charm that lends a touch of originality and personality to the presentation of courses, making every meal an unforgettable experience.
Ghisa line: matte finish, rough texture
The useful texture: Porcellana ardesia
A wide variety of textures are not only beautiful to look at, they can also have a function. For example, a structured surface that is rough to the touch helps to hold sauces and liquids in the shape intended for presentation.
Such is the case with Porcellana ardesia, MPS’s line of porcelain dinnerware that combines the natural aesthetics of slate with the durability of porcelain. A texture that tends toward rough and does not catch the light, yet illuminates delicacies served on modern menus that leave abstract marks of colorful combinations. Square and rectangular plates and risers give a feeling of rustic style and class, with edge workmanship left to nature, combined with the skill of expert hands, for a result as raw as it is elaborate.
Porcellana ardesia line: natural effect
The right balance of opacity and shine: Stoneware
Soft, smooth to the touch, semi-opaque glazes that catch the light and reflect it just enough. In black clay and in different shades of brown and even white. Stoneware line is an unfailing classic.
Different from porcelain in the composition of the mixture, which does not necessarily contain fine raw materials, stoneware items are less vitrified and fired at lower temperatures. The presence of impurities in the clay make the shades of round, rectangular and oval pans, small bowls, pots, cake plates, fondue and plates always different and never the same, for a one-of-a-kind effect. Use for restaurants with a homey, rustic atmosphere or for reinterpreting kitchen classics with a modern twist.
Stoneware line: semi-matte finish, familiar atmosphere
Endless choices of brightness: smooth porcelain
A clean, shiny presentation, an icon of tradition. A smooth, shiny surface that brings out the colors of the foods served in all their creativity.
Classic porcelain is a favorite for the most important occasions. Not only in the widely used white version, but also with hints of color that embellish presentations in combinations of contrasts or complementarities. The two-tone combinations of Gastronorm basic, with different exterior and interior colors, give added value for every style and restaurant. The original splendor of white porcelain baking dishes is enhanced by chic versions in black, available in various sizes for maximum versatility and compatibility with professional ovens and refrigerators. Also, ideas that shine their own light with Clever, to revolutionize the typical idea of a traditional meal. Single-portion casseroles and pans make it easier to present dishes directly at the table. Also among the MPS Porcellane collections is the spark of creativity that emphasizes the color of choice: the basic lines of Handpainted give way to art, amid brushstrokes of blue, green, red, yellow and brown.
Gastronorm basic line: glossy finish and color combinations
A texture for all occasions: the best porcelain tableware
Choosing the right texture for dinnerware should be in line with the desired occasion and atmosphere. For an elegant dinner party, tableware with a glossy finish will captivate the eye and the heart, while for a casual meal the medium opacity of Stoneware may be the right choice. But the chef’s creativity will decide: let your instincts guide you, ignite all your senses and discover the magic of textures.No matter which surfaces you choose, with MPS Porcellane you can always count on durable, practical and versatile items. They can be used in the oven, even in the microwave, freezer and dishwasher.
