Why Should Baijiu Be Drunk From A Small Glass?

26 Aug.,2024

 

Why Should Baijiu Be Drunk From A Small Glass?

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The consumption of baijiu comes with many traditions that must be observed. Chief among these is the vessel that baijiu is consumed from. Rather than a traditional tumbler or wine glass, baijiu is invariably served in a small shot glass that resembles an undersized goblet. This is a far cry from the 14th Century days of the Liangshan Heroes, when baijiu was consumed from oversized bowls.

For reasons that will soon become clear, however, it is important to drink your baijiu from these specialist vessels. This practice first became apparent during the celebrated Han and Qin Dynasties, with enthusiasts of Chinese antiques discovering porcelain cups of comparable size that were used in royal courts. Ultimately, drinking baijiu from a small vessel is seen as a dignified approach &#; and, as we will now discuss in more detail, a way to savour the baijiu experience.

The first thing that any baijiu novice will notice about this spirit is the scent. Every baijiu is divided into one of four core aromas &#; rice aroma, light aroma, sauce aroma or strong aroma. As you can imagine, the latter two scents are more potent than most. All the same, the nose may take a while to grow accustomed to any kind of baijiu. If you&#;re unfamiliar with this spirit, filling a large cup could lead to sensory overload.

While a glass of fine red wine is designed to be sniffed, with the nose providing the first sensation for the palate to follow, baijiu can smell pungent if inhaled too deeply, in too great a quantity. A reaction that betrays this response is certain to offend any Chinese hosts and is understandably best avoided. In China, it is customary to embrace the scent of spirits, relishing this as part of the experience of consuming baijiu. Allowing the aroma to linger and mellow is part of the experience.

Of course, we also need to consider the alcohol content of baijiu when considering the vessel that hosts the spirit. In the west, a whisky or vodka with an alcohol proof of around 40% is considered standard &#; and these are widely regarded as strong, potent spirits. When it comes to strong or sauce aroma baijiu, a 40% ABV is child&#;s play. Expect a reputable bottle to have a proof of at least 50%, possibly higher &#; and you will not be able to water your baijiu down with the aid of a mixer.

Finally, we have perhaps the most important element of baijiu consumption &#; the social norms and etiquettes that surround in the spirit. If you are enjoying neat whiskey, to return to our previous example, you would sip and nurse it. This is not an option with baijiu. This is probably just as well, as few western palates would find such an experience enjoyable. Baijiu is very much designed to be consumed as a shot.

This is because, in China, baijiu is a social spirit. It is rare to wander into a bar and find somebody ordering baijiu to drink alone. Anybody that does indulge in such a practice would likely be regarded with suspicion. Baijiu is the preserve of fine dining &#; including state-sponsored banquets &#; and large family dinners. As communal dining is a large part of Chinese culture, many customs surround the serving of baijiu.

Further Reading: How To Drink Baijiu

Typically, a bottle will be emptied into a central vessel on a table before the small glasses of every diner are filled. The host of the dinner will then toast all present, usually with the term, &#;ganbei!&#; This loosely translates as, &#;empty the glass&#; &#; meaning that all present will be expected to drain their shot of baijiu.

By this point, you should have an idea of why a small cup is essential. The strong scent and potent alcohol volume of baijiu lends itself to a small glass that can be emptied in a moment. Do not assume for a moment that your consumption will end there, either. The moment the toast is concluded, and glasses emptied, they will be refilled.

Throughout the meal, many more toasts will be raised by the host and attendees alike. All attendees will likely toast at least once, expressing gratitude and respect to their fellow diners. This means that, at a dinner with eight seats, you can expect to drink at least eight shots of baijiu. Do you really want to be draining a tumbler of this spirit every time? Refusing a shot, or failing to empty your glass, is seen as a sign of disrespect and will not ingratiate yourself to your host. Small shots are considerably easier for anybody to cope with.

Further Reading: Baijiu Tradition And Customs

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit China Drinking Glasses Company.

Finally, the expense of superior baijiu must also be considered. In China, investing in a fine baijiu is a status symbol. A bottle of appropriate standing for entertaining reputable guests will easily cost three, or even four figures. If this was swigged and emptied in a matter of moments, it would be considered a waste of money. As baijiu is designed to be a shared experience, guzzling it by the bowl in the style of the Liangshan Heroes is not merely dangerous and fiscally irresponsible. It&#;s outright poor manners.

If you plan to dine in China, whether for business or personal reasons, it is essential that you understand the etiquette surrounding baijiu. Chief among these is understanding why a small glass is used when consuming this spirit. It is not simply a matter of tradition or aesthetics. In many respects, it is the only way that you&#;ll have a fighting chance of walking away from a dinner table on vaguely steady legs.

Importing glassware from China to the US

Glass is used in many daily-used products, from electronic devices with a screen, food containers to decorations and construction components. The US glass and glassware imports hit a record of US$9.49 Billion. On the other side of the world, China hit an unprecedented record of exported glass & glassware, US$23.85 Billion. This article discusses importing glassware from China to the US &#; US tariffs, requirements, trade fairs, and more.

Importing glassware from China to the US

Where is glassware produced in China?

The main glass productions areas in China are provinces such as:

  • Hebei (Qinhuangdao)
  • Jiangsu (Changzhou)
  • Zhejiang (Hangzhou, Wenzhou)
  • Guangdong (Guangzhou &#; high-quality laminated glass items).

US tariffs on glassware from China

Sourcing to the US requires paying due duties. The HTS System (Harmonized Tariff Schedule System) is the best site to find the current tariffs. In the case of importing from China, there is an additional tariff.

US tariffs and HTS codes of glassware from China:

  • Serum bottles, vials and other pharmaceutical containers of a capacity not exceeding 0.15 liter (.90.05.40) &#; free + 25%
  • Bulbs for incandescent lamps (.10.10.00) &#; free + 25%
  • Glassware of a kind used for table, kitchen, toilet, office, indoor decoration or similar purposes (.10.10.00) &#; 6.9% + 7.5%
  • Stemware drinking glasses, other than of glass-ceramics valued over $5 each (.22.50.00) &#; 3% + 7.5%
  • Mugs valued over $0.30 but not over $3 each (.37.20.00) &#; 22.5% + 7.5%
  • Glassware decorated with metal flecking, glass pictorial scenes or glass thread- or ribbon-like effects (.99.10.10) &#; 15% + 7.5%
  • Jars of a capacity exceeding 0.473 liter but not exceeding 1 liter (.90.50.15) &#; free + 25%.

Sourcing glassware from China to the US &#; importer&#;s obligations

Importers introducing products into US commerce are responsible for ensuring that the products are sanitary, safe, and labeled according to US requirements.

  • You need a permit to import certain glass regulated by some federal agencies.
  • Glassware that comes in contact with food has to be food-safe, meaning it is FDA-compliant.
  • Glass items used for vehicles are subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.

How to ship glass products?

Glass is a fragile material; therefore, it must be handled carefully. It is advised to get insurance for cargo that contains glass items. Make sure to conduct quality checks during the loading process and check whether the goods are secured so they will not be damaged onboard.

Shipping glass sign

Glassware from China &#; trade shows

One of the best ways to find a dependable supplier is by visiting professional trade shows. You get the chance to research the market, get to know many manufacturers in one place and see the products for yourself.

Below is a list of trade shows in China that showcase glassware.

China Glass

  • Location: Shanghai, Beijing
  • Website: chinaglass-expo.com
  • China International Glass Technical Exhibition (China Glass) is a professional glass industry exhibition in Asia-Pacific. The exhibition is organized annually and attracts many businesspeople from all over the world.

China Guangzhou Glasstec Expo

  • Location: Guangzhou
  • Website: chinaglasstecexpo.com
  • China International Glass Exhibition is one of the most professional glass industry fairs in south China. It is held every year in Guangzhou, the most important glass manufacturing and trading center in China. The fair showcases many glass products (including architectural decorative glass, glass touch panels, automobile and ship glass, solar photovoltaic glass, home appliance glass, optical glass) as well as glass production equipment and materials.

Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair)

For more information, please visit Buy personalised glass storage jars.

  • Location: Guangzhou
  • Website: cantonfair.org.cn
  • China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) is held every spring and fall in Guangzhou, China. Canton Fair is the ultimate trade fair in China. It is the biggest Chinese fair with the longest history, the most complete exhibit variety, the largest buyer attendance, and the greatest business turnover in China. To see glassware, check out the second phase.

Importing glassware from China to the US &#; to sum up

  • Many glassware manufacturers in China are in Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hebei, and Jiangsu provinces.
  • The range of US tariffs on glassware from China is wide.
  • Glass sourced into the US is regulated by federal agencies.
  • Make sure to have due diligence conducted before choosing a Chinese supplier.
  • Check duty rates for disposable tableware from China.