Salad Plate Vs. Dessert Plate: What is the Difference?

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Did you know that there are over thirteen different types of plates? Each of them is designed with a unique food service requirement in mind. You can easily spot this based on the way features like size or depth vary between different types of plates.

That said, some designs, like salad plates and dessert plates, share common features. It is thus easy to assume that they are identical or find yourself confusing the two when selecting plates for your home, hotel, or restaurant.

Let's put an end to the confusion, shall we? 

Here is an in-depth comparison of salad plates versus dessert plates.
 

A Brief History of Salad Plates and Dessert Plates

Dessert plates were a staple in food service long before salad plates were invented. This is because desserts were always considered a special course during a meal. 

So, as early as the 18th century, most households of repute had special plates for dessert treats. The designs became more ornate after the 18th century when other continents began to import porcelain dinnerware from China.

Salads were initially served on dinner plates alongside main course. It was only when fine dining became more defined that culinary experts began to serve salads as individual courses or side dishes. Salad plates thus emerged in response to this culinary development.

Notably, the early designs of salad plates and dessert plates were quite distinct. The similarities between these different plate types have become more pronounced with newer tableware designs.
 

Salad Plates Vs Dessert Plates: The Basics

Salads mostly comprise a mix of different vegetables. Some also include other ingredients like bacon, chicken strips, or cheese. These shreds and pieces of veggies and more do not make for a compact meal. 

Subsequently, you need a plate with adequate space to serve a salad properly. This is why salad plates usually have a mid-sized diameter of about 7 to 8.5 inches. They are smaller than dinner plates but bigger than dessert plates.

Desserts, in comparison, are sweet treats that crown the end of a meal. They include options like cake, pie, or tart slices, fruits, or ice cream. Like most good things in life, they come in small to mid-size portions. Dessert plates thus tend to measure between 6 to 7 inches. 
 

Key Differences Between Salad Plates and Dessert Plates

Design

Salad plates are often flat or may have a very small well at the center of the plate. The well may be decorative or designed to make the plate better for serving salads with dressing. 

Dessert plates, on the other hand, mostly have flat designs. The exception to this is dessert plates made for special desserts that are served with sauces. Such dessert plates may have a well or a raised lip/rim around the plate so that the dessert sauce or syrup conveniently pools at the center of the plate.
 

Embellishments

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Salad plates may have decorative touches like gold or silver trims. You can also find designs with a variety of color options or interesting textures. Especially if you explore ceramic dinnerware designs.

Dessert plates, however, come in fancy and more ornate designs. The decorative touches range from gold or silver trims to unique curves, bold color combinations, and very refined finishes. The culinary goal here is to make serving desserts the delightful treat that most people look forward to.
 

Shape

Salad plates are mostly round or square. Newer designs also include rectangular salad plates but they are mostly suitable for specialty salads. 

Similarly, most dessert plates are round or square. However, as dessert plating becomes more sophisticated, oval and rectangular dessert plates are now quite common too. 
 

Size

Size is arguably the main difference between salad plates and dessert plates, as we have highlighted above. It is for this reason that salad plates can sometimes work if you need to serve desserts; because they are bigger than dessert plates. 

However, in most cases, if you try to use a dessert plate to serve a salad, the plate may look overcrowded because dessert plates are small. Substituting the two may only work if you are serving a small portion of salad.
 

Cultural Influences

Salads and desserts vary between different regions and cultures. This, in turn, influences the designs and usage of salad and dessert plates in different regions.

For instance, in Indian culture, some desserts are served while soaked in syrup. Dessert plates thus come in flat and bowl-like designs. 

Notably, however, the concept of making salads is fairly similar across cultures. It is mostly the ingredients that differ. You will thus find that salad plate designs do not vary as much as dessert plates do.
 

Plating Applications

Salad plates are designed to accommodate a small heap of vegetables and other ingredients without crowding the plate hence their bigger size.

Meanwhile, dessert plates have a more compact size to facilitate the neat plating of cake slices or ice cream scoops and garnishes. They are designed for fine dining plating techniques where less is more.
 

Salad and Dessert Plate Materials

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Most plate manufacturers choose the right material for a plate design based on what the plate is designed to serve.

For example, salads are typically served at room temperature and may or may not have some dressing. Desserts, in contrast, can be chilled or have elements like warm sauces or syrups.

Consequently, salad plates come in a variety of materials including bamboo, stoneware, porcelain, bone china, glass, and more. There are no concerns about temperature so plate manufacturers only need to focus on aesthetics and functionality.

Dessert plates are more restrictive when it comes to material options. Dinnerware manufacturers mostly use porcelain, glass, or bone china for high-end designs. These materials are particularly popular because of the refined appeal that they add to dessert plates. Some like glass or strong ceramics can also hold warm or chilled desserts without breaking and are easy to clean.
 

Tips on Choosing the Right Salad and Dessert Plates

Now that we have dug into the differences, let's talk about what you need to consider when shopping for salad plates or dessert plates.
 

Plate Depth

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The dip at the center of a plate is known as a well. Consider the depth of the well when choosing both salad and dessert plates. 

Most salads only include a bit of dressing and thus salad plates with shallow or minimal depth work just fine. 

Desserts are more complex because foods like ice cream melt and some desserts require sauces or syrups. It is, therefore, a good idea to choose dessert plates with an adequate well in the middle. This ensures that there is no risk of any fluids on the dessert plate spilling over.
 

Size and Portions

The standard size of salad plates strikes a good balance in that it: 

• Allows you to serve a sizeable salad portion 

• Makes it easy for diners to comfortably enjoy their salads

This is why it is better to invest in salad plates instead of interchanging them with dessert plates.

For dessert plates, consider the type of desserts you will be serving. If they require generous serving or include more than one component, aim for 7-inch dessert plates and roomy shapes like a rectangle or a square. Smaller portions or simpler desserts will pair well with round dessert plates.
 

Durability

Go beyond aesthetics by aiming for salad and dessert plates made using durable materials. 

Quality bone china tableware sets, for example, are quite resilient as they do not chip or break easily. They also come in beautiful designs thereby offering you both class and durability. 

High-grade porcelain or glass salad and dessert plate designs are equally worth considering. They can be just as durable and are relatively affordable. They are also less prone to breakage when serving hot or chilled food items.
 

Aesthetics

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Elegant presentation is a cornerstone in today's culinary industry. Therefore, while it may seem vain, it is imperative to select salad and dessert plates with beautiful designs that complement each other. It will go a long way in elevating any dining experience.

Aim for bold colors that contrast or blend well and prioritize plate designs with neat refined finishes. As you compare designs, envision how they may pair with different plating techniques too as this will help you identify if they fit the aesthetic you want to deliver.
 

Frequently Asked Questions About Salad Plates Vs. Dessert Plates

Is a Salad Plate the Same as a Dessert Plate?

No, it is not. 

Salad plates are slightly larger than dessert plates by an inch or two. They tend to be flat as well or have minimal plate depth. In comparison, dessert plates can be flat or may have a plate depth of about an inch or more. The deeper Dessert plates are for moist desserts or desserts served with syrups.
 

Can Dessert Plates Be Used to Serve Other Foods?

Yes. 

You can use dessert plates to serve appetizers, tea-time snacks, and other finger foods or accompaniments.
 

Do I Need Both Salad Plates and Dessert Plates?

Yes. 

Having different plates for salads and desserts makes it easy to serve various meal courses without any interruptions. Additionally, using the right plate type and size creates a delightful dining experience and helps with portion control.
 

Can Salad Plates Be Used for Other Purposes?

Yes. 

You can use salad plates to serve light meals or snacks like chips and fish fingers, lunch sandwiches, or mini-burgers. They work well for this kind of application because they offer just enough space to serve meals for which a dinner plate would be too large.
 

Conclusion

Salad plates and dessert plates have, over the years, become accidental twins due to common misconceptions. Most brands even advertise them as the same type of plate. However, once you use a true salad plate and dessert plate in the way that culinary experts recommend, there is no looking back. Everything from the food presentation to your dining experience is simply so much better.