Peçete

Peçete is the Turkish term for a napkin, a small sheet of paper or cloth used during meals to wipe the mouth and fingers and to protect clothing. In everyday use, peçete is placed on the lap or beside the plate and is used to keep hands and face clean during eating. The term covers both disposable paper napkins and reusable cloth napkins.

Materials and formats: Disposable peçeteler are made of paper, often decorated or printed; cloth peçeteler are usually cotton or linen and can be washed and reused. Sizes vary, with paper napkins commonly sold in standard square sizes; cloth napkins are available in a wider range of sizes.

Usage: In homes and restaurants, peçete is used at the start of a meal and may be folded or presented in a particular shape, especially in formal settings. Napkins may be placed on the lap, beneath cutlery, or set to the left of the plate depending on tradition and occasion.

Care and disposal: Paper napkins are disposed of after a single use. Cloth napkins require washing after use; they can be laundered with other textiles and ironed for a crisp appearance.

Environmental considerations: Reusable napkins reduce waste, while compostable or uncoated paper napkins offer more eco-friendly options when disposal is necessary. Related terms include napkin and serviette, used in other languages to refer to similar items.