What is affordable, values quality, and has an elegant look to it? Ceramic ware by International Tableware Inc. (ITI)! This past Wednesday ITI rep Antoinette came in and dished out a fresh take on traditional dinnerware. Have you ever wondered how ceramic ware is hardened? It goes through a vitrifying process which entails heating up dinnerware and glassware in extreme temperatures beyond 1300 C until the ceramic is fully hardened, or vitrified. “Ceramic ware is considered vitrified if it will absorb less than 3 percent of its own weight when boiled in water for five hours and is soaked for an additional 19 hours.” What a process!

ITI offers three types of china: Porcelain, Stoneware, and Bone China. All of which have their own special traits that make them unique:

Porcelain is made of kaolin clay – a white clay that holds onto its white color when fired. It goes through the firing process twice and is considered fully vitrified after the second firing. Porcelain is finished with a clear glaze allowing for its bright white color to shine through. The finish tends to be harder, but more brittle than Stoneware and Bone China.

Stoneware differs from porcelain in that it is considered vitrified after only one firing. It also finishes with a warm white color as opposed to the bright white finish porcelain has. The single firing allows stoneware to be slightly easier to decorate that porcelain. Stoneware is commonly decorated using Under-Glaze, but can be decorated using On-Glaze or In-Glaze techniques as well!

Bone China is made using translucent white clay. It gets is name due to the white clay containing a minimum 25% bone ash. Yes bone china contains actual bones! Bone China is also unique in that it tends to be translucent when finished. It is often used in thin wall pieces, displaying a delicate, refined look.

The vigorous process that these ceramic ware goes through is well worth it as it results in beautiful and sophisticated styles of dinnerware.

Here are a couple of dinnerware styles offered by ITI:

ITI offers narrow rim dinnerware. Narrow rim china has a traditional, yet elegant look and is well-suited for a variety of cuisines. This dish has rolled edges making it easier to handle

ITI also offers wide rim dinnerware. Although wide rim china minimizes plating, it presents a beautiful framing around the cuisine which results in an elegant look to the final dish.

This is your standard grapefruit bowl! With rolled edges making it easy to grip, this bowl is very function, reliable, and is a must-have for any household or restaurant!

This is a fruit bowl, aka the monkey dish. It’s name is derived from the accordion players in the olden days who had a monkey on their shoulders as they played. The accordion player would have the monkey hold this bowl for tips because it was the perfect size for the monkey’s hands!

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And finally, the nappie bowl, or commonly referred to as an oatmeal bowl. Slightly less shallow than the previous bowls mentioned, this bowl is perfect for rice bowls, tossed salads and many more cuisines choices.

What does Houston’s have to offer you ask? We are proud suppliers of two collections of ITI tableware:

Photo courtesy of International Tableware Inc.®

European White Porcelain: Brighton™/ Dover™.

This collection is traditional in artisanship and unique in presentation. It is an elegantly designed line that is sure to deliver without compromising the quality of the product. The simple yet versatile line is a great complement to a variety of cuisines.

Photo courtesy of International Tableware Inc.®

American White Stoneware: Roma™/ Valencia™.

This collection is designed for customers seeking a more traditional look to their tabletop. ITI defines this Collection as, “the legacy of ceramic dinnerware.”  With a rolled edge and narrow rims, it offers value and functionality that consumers can appreciate.

The dinnerware is top-notch and value driven. With numerous wares available, it’s no wonder they are the ideal resource for the food-service and consumer markets. Their fully vitrified dinnerware is oven friendly, dishwasher and microwave safe and, with proper care and handling, will fulfill your dining needs for many years to come! Their fully vitrified dinnerware is oven friendly, dishwasher and microwave safe and, with proper care ITI’s dinnerware is top-notch and value driven. With numerous wares available, it’s no wonder they are the ideal resource for the food-service and consumer markets. Their fully vitrified dinnerware is oven friendly, dishwasher and microwave safe and, with proper care and handling, will fulfill your dining needs for many years to come!

All photos courtesy of International Tableware Inc.®