Making long-lasting glassware
Our Helg Carafe holds up to a liter of liquid, regardless of the temperature. The thin glassware slopes in the neck and rounds in the mouth, seamlessly pouring liquid from its almost-translucent body into a drinking glass. While the simple and elegant design pleases the eyes, it is the taste of the liquid that one may wonder. How come its flavor remains the same, unlike when poured from other pitchers? The hidden wonder lies in Borosilicate, a type of glass that resists undulating temperature and micro-particle solubility.
We are naturally drawn to Borosilicate glass as part of our vision to create long-lasting carafes, bottles and glasses. Our pursuit has resulted in a series of glassware such as Luisa Calice, Luisa Bonne Nuit, Helg Carafe, and Trulli Bottle (read our story on the conception of Trulli Bottles here), all of which are made from Borosilicate. The ability of the glass to weather thermal changes up to 170 degrees Celsius - or 338 Fahrenheit - solidifies its namesake of being robust and resilient, an ideal material for multipurpose and elegant shapes.
Touching on the chemistry behind Borosilicate, it is made of 15% of boron trioxide, a semi-transparent glassy compound used in glassmaking. The key component makes Borosilicate less soluble, thus retaining the natural flavors of liquid. It bars chemicals from leaking into the liquid and resists acid degradation, elements that other glasses or materials might not entirely possess.
Simply say that Borosilicate refrains contamination from seeping into one’s drink, acting as a conduit for safe consumption. Thanks to this glass, owners of our Borosilicate-made glassware can savor the true acidity of wines and the pure taste of water, cola, tea, and other beverages without worrying about the micrograins common glassware materials leave on their palate.
For the science buffs, Borosilicate glass has a much higher amount of silicon dioxide, an anti-caking agent, compared to soda-lime glass, an ingredient commercial industries use in their glassmaking. The higher proportion shields Borosilicate from fractures and cracks, and prevents the material from expanding quickly when exposed to heat, thus avoiding easy breakages during the firing process. Borosilicate has also been traditionally favored by chemistry and industrial laboratories as well as premium kitchenware and wine glasses, prompted by its durability and resistance to chemical changes.
Borosilicate glass also leaves less environmental footprint during and after production. Plastic glass and water bottles come from petroleum and almost always end up in landfill and waterways, with only a small percentage of them becoming properly recycled. Borosilicate glass, on the other hand, springs from naturally abundant materials that are more easily acquired than oil. If handled with care, glassware made from Borosilicate can last for a lifetime, avoiding the fate of ending up in the bin.
Research is imperative in our name sake and our glassmaking as we try to create resilient glassware that keeps liquid safe from toxins. In doing so, we trust Borosilicate glass and the science behind its responsive properties in conceiving a series of carafes, bottles, and glasses that are built to last. Our thoughtful action underlines our ethos to draw our materials from natural resources and inform us about the conscious choices we make in the name of artisanal craftsmanship.
PHOTOS: Filippo Tasca (IG: @filippotasca)
WORDS: Matthew Burgos