====== Bowls (Soup, Cereal & Specialty) ======

**Bowls** are the essential deep vessels of the table, designed to hold liquids and semi-solid foods. In a formal setting, the type of bowl used indicates the nature of the course—whether it is a light starter soup or a hearty main stew.

From the elegant, rimmed soup plate to the everyday cereal bowl, selecting the right shape enhances both the presentation and the ease of eating.

===== 1. The Essential Types =====

^ Type ^ Shape Characteristics ^ Primary Use ^
| **Rimmed Soup Bowl** (Soup Plate) | Wide, flat rim (approx. 1-2 inches) with a shallow central well. | **Formal Dining.** The rim acts as a frame for the soup and a place to rest the spoon (between bites). Best for thick soups or bisques. |
| **Coupe Soup / Cereal Bowl** | Deep, round, and rimless. Often called an "Oatmeal Bowl." | **Casual Dining.** Ideal for breakfast cereals, chunky stews, or salads where volume is key. |
| **Consommé Cup** (Bouillon Cup) | Small, narrow bowl with **two handles**, always served on a saucer. | **Specialty.** Used exclusively for clear, thin broths (consommé). The handles allow the diner to tip the bowl to drink the last drops. |
| **Pasta Bowl** | A hybrid between a plate and a bowl. Wide like a dinner plate but with a deeper depression. | Serving pasta, risotto, or salads with dressing. |

===== 2. Material & Function =====

  * **Heat Retention**: Thicker materials like [[:en:materials:stoneware|Stoneware]] are preferred for noodle bowls or stews as they keep the food hot longer.
  * **Formal vs. Casual**:
    * *Formal:* Always use a **Rimmed Soup Bowl** or **Consommé Cup**.
    * *Casual:* **Coupe shapes** are the standard for modern, relaxed meals.

===== 3. Etiquette Tip: The Handles =====

The **Consommé Cup** is unique because of its handles.
  * **Traditional Rule**: If the soup is extremely thin (like a clear broth), it is permissible to use the handles to lift the cup and sip directly, but only after most of the soup has been spooned up.
  * **Rimmed Bowls**: Never lift a rimmed soup bowl from the table to drink. You must use a spoon, tilting the bowl *away* from you to scoop the last drop.

===== 4. Care and Storage =====

  * **Nesting**: Most coupe bowls "nest" (stack inside each other) perfectly, saving cupboard space.
  * **Rim Protection**: Rimmed soup bowls are often stacked like plates. Use felt dividers to prevent the foot of the top bowl from scratching the rim of the bottom bowl.

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**See Also:**
  * [[:en:items:plates|Plate Types & Sizes]]
  * [[:en:items:flatware|Soup Spoons vs. Bouillon Spoons]]

{{tag>items bowls soup dinnerware guide}}