Matter of taste

Be it a formal sit down dinner, a lazy Sunday brunch or a high-tea party, one of the first things that people notice is how the food is being served. First appearances do count and indeed make the best impressions, because we first eat with our eyes, and only then, relish them with our taste buds.

The importance of good crockery and cutlery has long been stressed upon, but unfortunately, its value remains undermined. Sure, it does cost you quite a bit to pick up the latest designer range of hand-painted plates, but imagine your delight when guests ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ over its exquisite designs.

Let’s put it this way - If you put stained, dirty stuff in front of me I won’t feel like eating at all. Good crockery enhances the eating experience and takes it to new realms. Even something as simple as a dal or subzi looks appetising if it is presented well. The presentation of the food is as important as how it tastes.

But with one brand after the other flooding the market, even the most seasoned connoisseur can get a wee bit perplexed about what to choose. Well, when in doubt, it’s best to check the clarity of the china, much like a diamond. A good piece of bone china cup will make a clinking noise when something taps against it.

Back in the good old days when high teas were still the norm, elegant ladies would come dressed to the nines and engage in friendly banter over clinking cups of freshly brewed tea and bite sized sandwiches. While activities like those are a long forgotten tradition, there are still some who insist that good china is an investment worth making.

I recently met with entrepreneur Kauveri Krishna, and while in conversation, we happened to talk about crockery. It was then I realized that she had collected over 100 sets of fine china. I personally think that for many people, It’s some sort of a tradition really. Good elegant cutlery is a heirloom that should be passed on from generation to generation. China is not always la-di-dah and fancy. There are simpler and more sober designs that can be used on an everyday basis. Not only do they add to the aesthetic appeal, they also show the care that has been taken by the person in putting the meal together.

So if you haven’t purchased your first set of fancy mugs, I suggest you go out there and buy a couple. And it is not necessary that you spend a fortune -  after all, some of the best things in life are quite simply the simplest.