Cruet facts for kids

A cruet bottle from 1780–1800, now in the V&A Museum.

A cruet (pronounced "crew-it"), also called a caster, is a small bottle. It usually has a flat bottom and a narrow neck. Cruets often have a lip or spout for pouring. They also have a stopper or lid to keep liquids fresh. Most cruets are made from glass, ceramic, or stainless steel.

What Are Cruets Used For?

This cruet is made for serving vinegar at the table.

Today, cruets are mostly used in the kitchen. They hold liquid foods like olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Some cruets even have a filter inside. This filter helps strain out herbs or other solid bits from the vinegar. This way, the liquid pours out clear.

Cruets can also be used for lemon juice or other types of oils. In places like Canada and the United Kingdom, a small cruet might even hold salt or pepper that has already been ground.

Cruets in Religious Ceremonies

Cruets are also important in some Christian church services. They are used to hold the wine and water for the Mass. This is common in Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican traditions.

The History of Cruets

The word "cruet" comes from the Old French word crue. This word meant "earthen pot."

Some people think cruets were first used in churches. For example, the Bible mentions a "cruse of oil." This was a small jar used to hold liquid.

A few cruets from the Middle Ages still exist today. But cruets started being used for food much later. This began in the late 1600s. Cardinal Mazarin in France had two cruets on his dining table. One held olive oil, and the other held vinegar for salads.

Using oil and vinegar cruets quickly became popular in Italy. Oil and vinegar were already used a lot there. Even today, you will often see oil and vinegar cruets on tables in Italy and Portugal.

Different Kinds of Cruets

A pair of silver cruets from Warsaw's Cathedral. They were made by Michael Mair between 1695 and 1700.

Cruets can be very simple or very fancy. Some are plain bottles, while others are beautiful cut crystal designs. Some cruets are unusual and are made to be decorations or to do a special job.

Cruets for Church Services

During some Christian church services, especially the Eucharist, special cruets are used. These are called altar cruets. They hold the sacramental wine and water. These cruets are usually made of glass. Sometimes, they are made from valuable metals like gold or silver.

Cruets for church services always come in pairs. One cruet holds water, often marked with an A for Aqua (water). The other holds wine, often marked with a V for Vinum (wine). These two liquids are mixed together during a part of the service called the Preparation of the Gifts.

See also

In Spanish: Vinagrera (recipiente) para niños