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Early fired earthenware vessels held water, but, because these vessels were still slightly porous, the liquid percolated slowly to the outside, where it evaporated, cooling the contents of the vessel. Thus, the porosity of earthenware was, and still is, sometimes an advantage in hot countries, and the principle still is utilized in the 21st century in the construction of domestic milk and butter coolers and some food-storage cupboards. Porosity, however, had many disadvantages; e.g., the vessels could not be used for storing wine or milk. To overcome the porosity, some peoples applied varnishes of one kind or another. Varnished pots ...(100 of 42409 words)