Key takeaways
- The leaf grain sits under the food, and each plate looks a little different.
- Every piece of a size comes from the same mould, so portions and layouts stay consistent across a plated menu.
- We test every size with hot gravy, and every plate and bowl holds it without leaking.
- SGS, an independent lab, found no arsenic, no PCP and none of the 70 pesticides tested for.
A plate is part of how a dish is presented. For cafés and restaurants in Singapore that want a disposable plate for a signature dish, a plated menu or a private event, areca leaf is worth a look. This guide covers how kitchens use Satva's areca leaf plates and bowls, which sizes suit which dishes, and what to check before you order.
The leaf under the food
Areca leaf plates have a matte surface, a warm beige colour and a visible grain. That grain sits under the food, so a simple plate of rice or a bowl of noodles gets a textured background without any extra garnish. It suits clean, pared-back interiors and busier, colourful ones alike.
The plates start as fallen leaves. Areca trees drop their leaves several times a year. Farmers pick up the fallen ones, so no tree is cut.
Matching sizes, different grain
For a plated menu, consistency matters. Every piece of a size comes from the same mould, so sizes match, and a portion that fits one Square Plate fits the next. Plating guides, photos for the menu and staff training stay the same from service to service.
What changes is the surface. The colour and grain come from the leaf and change from piece to piece, so no two tables look exactly alike.
Choosing sizes for a menu
Most café and restaurant menus can be covered with four areca pieces and one set of wooden cutlery.
- Square Plate, 8 × 8 in, 200 per pack: mains, rice sets and buffet lines.
- Quarter Plate, 12 × 12 in, 100 per pack: the largest plate, for sharing platters, banquet mains and buffet display.
- Big Bowl, 750 ml, 8 in round and 2.5 cm deep, 200 per pack: laksa, noodles and curry.
- Veg Bowl, 300 ml, 3.6 in round, 500 per pack: salads, fruit, sides and desserts.
- Wooden Spoon, Fork & Chopsticks, 2,000 per pack, to finish the place setting.
If soup noodles or curries are on your menu, start with the Big Bowl.
Hot and saucy dishes
A plate that looks good has to hold up during service. We test every size with hot gravy, and every plate and bowl holds it without leaking. If your menu leans on curries and gravy-heavy dishes, that is the test to ask any supplier about.
Lab reports for food-safety checks
If you are asked what your disposable plates are made of, it helps to have lab results to hand. SGS, an independent lab, found no arsenic, no PCP (a wood preservative) and none of the 70 pesticides tested for. It also found no E. coli, Salmonella or coliform bacteria. The plates and bowls are made in an ISO 9001 certified factory in Chennai, India.
Check it yourself
- SGS India: arsenic, PCP and 70 pesticides, none detectedReports MAN:HL:1548003574 / 3572 · 1648002424 · 2024–25Lab results
- SGS India: microwave, 5 × 60 s at about 650 W, no visible changeReport MAN:HL:1248000747Lab results
- ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing partnerCertificate 3050240620104QLab results
These results apply to the areca plates and bowls, not the wooden cutlery. You can read more about the lab results.
Where areca fits on your menu
Areca costs more than bagasse per piece. Cafés tend to use it where the look matters: signature dishes, a plated event menu, a private dinner or a set that is photographed often. For everyday takeaway, many keep a plainer plate.
Send us your menu and headcount
We suggest the pieces and quantities, and reply with a quote and a delivery date.
Storage in a busy kitchen
Keep cartons in a cool, dry room, off the floor. Keep the pieces wrapped until use, and use older stock first. A few simple habits keep every plate ready for service. There is more on this in our storage notes.
After service
Areca leaf is a plant. Like any fallen leaf, it breaks down in compost. If there is no compost collection, put it in general waste.
Planning your order
Start with the dishes you want to present on areca, match each to a size, then work out how many packs a month you need. Our page for cafés and restaurants has more, then send us your list for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Can areca leaf plates and bowls take hot, saucy dishes?
Yes. We test every size with hot gravy, and every plate and bowl holds it without leaking. For laksa, noodles and curry, the Big Bowl holds 750 ml.
Will every plate look the same?
The size will. Every piece of a size comes from the same mould, so sizes match. The colour and grain come from the leaf and change from piece to piece.
What lab tests have the plates and bowls been through?
SGS, an independent lab, found no arsenic, no PCP (a wood preservative) and none of the 70 pesticides tested for. It also found no E. coli, Salmonella or coliform bacteria. The plates and bowls are made in an ISO 9001 certified factory.
Which sizes does Satva supply for cafés and restaurants?
The Square Plate (8 × 8 in, 200 per pack), the Quarter Plate (12 × 12 in, 100 per pack), the Big Bowl (750 ml, 200 per pack) and the Veg Bowl (300 ml, 500 per pack). Wooden spoons, forks and chopsticks come in packs of 2,000.
How should we dispose of used plates?
Areca leaf is a plant. Like any fallen leaf, it breaks down in compost. If there is no compost collection, put it in general waste.
