Matki (earthen pot)

A matki or matka (Hindi and Urdu: maṭkī, maṭkā) in India is an earthen pot used as a home "water storage cooler". It has been in use since ancient times and can be found in houses of every social class.

Pista Matka Kheer.
Matka Kulfi.
A matki (small earthen pot) with another smaller pot 'budgas ' used to drink water.

Production

They are made by the combination of two types of clay: the first is taken from the surface of the earth and the second after digging more than 10 feet deeper into the earth. Making a matka is a long process of at least 8 days. The clay is mixed with water, shaped, finished, polished, dried and fired in a kiln for 5 days.

Modern designs are fitted with taps.[1]

Cooling process

The cooling process works through evaporative cooling. Capillary action causes water to evaporate from the mini-pores in the pot, taking the heat from the water inside, thus making the water inside cooler than the outside temperature. Hence it is used only during summer and not in winter.

See also

References
  1. "Good old earthen pots , with a modern touch". Thehindu.com. 29 April 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2018.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.