Types of Food Storage Containers in India are a relatively ‘newer trend’ that has caught up quickly. We all have grown up with strange things that have been used for storage in households. Indians never thought it to be ‘wise’ to invest in exclusive containers just for storage. Various plastic boxes, bottles, and containers, when empty of their original ingredients, were easily used for storing and keeping ‘other things’ as and when required. We all have great nostalgia associated with the likes of ‘Dalda cans’ used for storing food grains when they got empty. The best part was that there seemed to go on for decades! This is mainly because the Indian population was ‘on a budget for the larger part of the century.’ The country’s existing socio-economic structure required the people to save for ‘the other things in life, and specific containers for food ingredients did not feature on the ‘scheme of things. Soon with the advent of a more secure and structured lifestyle (thanks to the safety net provided by the forefathers), the later generation could focus on the finer details of life. This included investment in better education, welfare for the female members of the society, and splurging on extras like ‘storage containers! This can be categorized as an exaggeration of sorts, but, today attention to detail is a major aspect of our bustling lifestyle.
Food and food ingredients are a major part of our lives and lifestyles. Every culture has a Cuisine, and every region is marked with its characteristic flavour. Likewise, its storage is just as important. For this, food storage containers are one of the much-sought-after products, and their importance is just as inevitable. So, what are the types of Food Storage Containers, and how to best choose them? However, it is important to realize that proper food storage is necessary because:
- Keeps food ‘good’ for a longer time.
- Helps in maintaining good health as a result of well-preserved food for a longer time.
- Inhabits the growth of microbes.
- It helps increase the shelf-life.
- Ensures the preservation of taste and flavour.
Food Storage Containers in India: Our Top Recommendations
The Design
It matters a lot when it comes to the selection of the right design for your purpose. Whether for home use or a restaurant, the right design of the food storage container can make all the difference. These includes:
1. Containers Made From Glass
These are wide and various that are available in many shapes. The best part is that the glass containers feature lids made from steel, plastics, and even wood—one of the safest containers for food storage that can hold anything from Flours to Pasta.
2. Containers Made From Acrylic
These are quite popular for their durability, along with the varied shapes available. Ranging from rectangle, Square, or Round, these containers are suitable to store and good to look at. Some of the more fancy ones are available with lids made from various materials like plastic and wood.
3. The Stainless Steel Containers
With the ‘return of the Steel,’ these containers are a major hit with the users. They look ‘classy’ and also have hygienic storage options. Accompanied with either matching or acrylic lids, these containers are efficient and easy to use. Some of the latest patterns also feature the ultra-cool viewing spot on the surface, allowing users to check out what’s within.
4. The Ceramics
These are sturdy but stand the chance of breaking. Nevertheless, these containers are good to look at and serve as excellent storage options. The best part is that some of the latest designs consist of ‘seal-proof’ lids, making it one of the more hygienic choices out there. People mostly prefer these containers, as these intricate feature designs offer a much-valued antique look.
5. Canisters
These are perhaps one of the much-sought-after among the types of food containers. The canisters are available in various sizes and comprise some of the ‘more sophisticated’ lid options. These are a far cry from the ‘tin-dabbas’ that stored food grains at Indian homes a few decades back. Available in various sizes, these can store anything ranging from Cookies to bulkier food grains.
The Features
Now that we have discussed the designs let us talk awhile about the features of the different types of food containers.
The Lid
The lid is perhaps the main and the most important aspect of any container that makes it suitable for storage purposes. The Seal-covered lids are the most preferred type as this help retain the moisture within while protecting the inside ingredient from external exposure. A good lid ensures against spillage and fits tight on the container. Likewise, the ‘Snap-on’ lids are the most convenient as these are easy to manage and also offer the much-needed ‘seal’ for food preservation.
The Right Measures
While storing the food is good enough, offering the right measurements is great too. This offers the user an idea about how much of the food ingredient is available or how much to use as required. These measurements or marks are usually in ‘red’ or ‘Blue’ to ease user reading.
The Stack-Game
When living in cramped conditions, the storage containers need to be able to stack on top of each other. Some storage containers are available in sets of certain numbers. This makes it easy for the users to select the required number according to the availability of the space and item to be stored.
The Styles
As mentioned earlier, the storage containers are more than mere ‘vessels.’ These have character and style of their own that are specifically infused to suit all tastes. This can include extra trays on which the containers can be comfortably stationed. Also, certain specific containers have ‘sieve-like’ arrangements for greens like Lettuce to stand and drain away from the water into. Several other extra additions include handles, spouts, exclusive inlets for inclusive spoons for dispensing, among others.
The Purpose
Of course, at the end of the day, it matters that the food container must be able to serve the purpose it is meant for. This includes aspects such as:
- Should be microwaveable.
- The container should be easy to be placed and stored as per space availability.
- Various additional aspects such as handles, spouts, and spoons make the containers easy to be used as per specification.
- It should be reusable. This proposes the aspect of the ‘safe-plastic’ and ‘hygienic material.’
The Size And Shape
Generally, the containers are of two main shapes, i.e., Square and Circle:
The Square Shape: Usually, square-shaped containers are known to hold more quantity in a compact space.
The Round Shape: These allow air circulation and ease of cleaning as they lack corners.
The various sizes comprise:
- 2-cup
- 3-cup
- 1-quart
- 2-quart
- 3.5-quart
- 4-quart
- 6-quart
- 8-quart
- 12-quart
- 18-quart
- 22-quart
One must be sure of what size to consider as per the ingredient to be stored.
The Materials
After all, health matters the most in the times and age today. Therefore, it is a matter of concern about the storage container’s material. So, here are some of the top materials the users must consider when they are selecting the right container for themselves:
Polycarbonate: The features are:
- Very durable
- Shatter-proof
- Can withstand temperatures ranging from (-40 F) to 210 F
Polypropylene: The features are:
- 100% BPA-free
- Resistance to Chemicals
- Can withstand temperatures from (-40F) to 160 F
Polyethylene: The features are:
- BPA-free
- Can withstand temperatures between (-40 F) to 160 F
- Affordable
Types of Food Storage Containers in India: The Conclusion
So, there you have it, my dear people; all you need to know about the best type of Food Storage Containers. Likewise, it is necessary to weigh out the relevant features in order to select the perfect container for your needs. So, it is time to replace those boring ‘coconut-oil’ tin cans used for storage and replace them with some of the most stylish containers that are both good to look at and easy to use.