Decanter vs. Carafe

Main Difference

The main difference between Decanter and Carafe is that the Decanter is a vessel to hold a liquid and Carafe is a container used for serving wine and other drinks

• Decanter

  A decanter is a vessel that is used to hold the decantation of a liquid (such as wine) which may contain sediment. Decanters, which have a varied shape and design, have been traditionally made from glass or crystal. Their volume is usually equivalent to one standard bottle of wine (0.75 litre).A carafe, which is also traditionally used for serving alcoholic beverages, is similar in design to a decanter but is not supplied with a stopper.

• Carafe

  A carafe is a glass container without handles used for serving wine and other drinks. Unlike the related decanter, carafes do not include stoppers.

  Coffee pots included in coffee makers are also referred to as carafes in American English.

  In France, carafes are commonly used to serve water. To order a carafe d’eau (“carafe of water”) is to request to be served (free) tap water rather than bottled water at a cost.

  In Greece, in tavernas or similar establishments, carafes are normally used to serve draught wine.

• Decanter (noun)

  a stoppered glass container into which wine or spirit is decanted.