Perhaps you have heard many tips to make the best coffee. There is a set of variables that are very important for you to enjoy your favorite flavor. Among these, the cup you choose for the type of brewing will be fundamental.
Here you will find a complete guide on the different types of coffee cups and how to know which one is ideal for you.
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Why different cups for coffee?
It may seem that there is little connection between the type of cup and the taste of coffee. However, the truth is that the cup in which we consume our drink has a great impact on how we perceive the taste and consistency. Large coffee shops and restaurants invest large sums of money in different types of cups because they are so important as the last link in the chain.
If we think about it, we usually serve juice in a glass and not in a porcelain cup, right? The reason is that every detail is important to enjoy a drink or food.
The eye eats or drinks with you and also plays a role in a taste experience.
The cup or glass does not objectively change the taste of the coffee. However, the container should show off the visual characteristics of the contents to their best advantage. On top of that, the material of the cup or mug also has an impact. A fragile paper cup does not lead to the same experience as a stable ceramic cup.
Cup or glass?
We face the dilemma of which container to use or what is the difference. Previously, a cup was associated with the material porcelain, and if it was made of glass, then it was a glass.
However, this has changed somewhat. It is always said that the difference between these two types of containers lies in the shape.
The cup usually has a wide opening and is fitted with a handle to make it easier to grip. In contrast, the glass is a container that has a wide or narrow mouth and no handle.
Also, the cup is usually used with a matching saucer or base made of the same material.
Types of coffee cups
Now that you know the difference between cups and glass, let’s look at what types of cups there are and for which coffee drinks they are best suited. You will also get the best recommendations so you can decide which product to buy depending on your taste.
Small cup
If you have ever had an espresso in a cafe, you know what cup we are talking about. It is a small, thick cup made of ceramic or porcelain with a capacity of 40 to 60 ml, a very small handle and a saucer that perfectly matches the size of the cup.
This cup is ideal for espresso or ristretto. When a cup is needed for a double espresso, it usually has a capacity of up to 80 ml.
The reason for the small size is that it prevents the coffee from cooling too quickly, and usually the opening is not very wide because it is a very small cup. The best material for heat retention is porcelain cups. It is best to preheat this small cup with hot water so that the heat lasts even longer.
Nuova Point – One Dozen Tableware
This tableware consists of 6 cups and 6 porcelain plates, perfect for espresso or ristretto. It is white and has a capacity of 60 ml.
The tableware is made of thick porcelain, so it is sturdy and durable. It also allows the cup to hold the temperature of the coffee longer. Often the handle of a cup breaks first. With this product, you will not have this problem.
Business Coffee – Ristretto cups
This set of espresso and ristretto cups consists of 6 pieces, the cup together with the saucer. Each cup has a capacity of 70 ml, so it is also suitable for a double espresso. It is made of thick white porcelain and each cup weighs 165 g, which indicates good quality.
The handle is very small, so it can be a bit uncomfortable for someone with big hands. However, the plate fits perfectly with the bottom of the cup. The plate is not quite flat but looks more like a small bowl.
Large cup
This is the most popular cup in most households, cafes and restaurants. This type of cup is ideal for lattes and cappuccinos. It can be tall or deep and have a wider opening. Generally, baristas prefer a wide opening so they can easily make latte art.
Also, it is important that the rim of the cup is thick so that the foam of the drink is kept inside. This large cup can have a capacity of 150 ml to 200 ml. However, there are some larger models for cappuccinos, since they are served with a lot of foam.
If you have ever heard about the ideal temperature for coffee, you know that latte drinks are hotter than filter coffee. That’s why mugs are ideal. After all, you can grab them by the handle and not burn your fingers.
Creatable – Vintage Nature set
Visually, it is a very colorful set, unlike the traditional white porcelain. This 8-piece set consists of 4 cups and 4 plates in different colors in vintage style, which are hand-painted. They are made of porcelain and are microwave and dishwasher safe. They have a different style that blends and stands out very well with the white foam of the milk preparations.
The cups have a large capacity of 280 ml, so you can make large cappuccinos and lattes.
Alpina – White mugs
If you prefer something more traditional like the typical white mugs, these are the ones for you. Alpina’s cups have a very classic design with a wide opening that is perfect for latte art. This set consists of 12 units with 6 cups and 6 plates. They have a capacity of 200 ml and are 10 cm high.
Metal cups
Cups made of metal are in trend. There are metal cups in vintage style, which is a real eye-catcher. Some are only available in silver, others in bold colors, and others with all sorts of designs.
Some coffee shops have opted for these cups because their whole concept is aligned with these cups.
However, they are not suitable for all types of coffee. As larger cups, they are ideal for Americanos, filter coffee or cold brew. However, they are not recommended for cappuccino or latte, as the material heats up very easily and you can burn your fingers.
A big advantage of these cups, on the other hand, is that they are more resistant. Because even if they fall down, they don’t break so easily.
Tebery – Metal cup x2 units
These cups are made of stainless steel, which makes them more hygienic and high quality. Specially made of double-walled 18/8 steel to avoid burns. This material is free from lead, BPA and toxins. They are silver in color and have a capacity of 300 ml.
They are ideal to take with you when traveling, camping or for use at home or in a cafe. The advantage of these cups is that the handle is thermally insulated, so it does not heat up with the drink. They have a very classic design, as the bottom and the opening of the cup are the same size.
Gentlemen’s Hardware – GEN321 cup
This mug is available in different colors and designs. It has a classic style with the bottom and opening being the same size. It has a capacity of 325 ml, making it ideal for large coffee recipes. The material is very resistant and lightweight, ideal for travel or camping.
Glass cups
Glass cups are another trend that is gaining momentum. Glass cups are different from glasses because they have handles to hold them better. They come in a variety of sizes. There are cups for espresso, lattes and cold drinks. In addition, there is now a wide range of designs from which you can choose your favorite.
The great plus of these cups is that you can see the drink through the glass. Especially when coffee is layered, such as cappuccino or some slush coffees with cream. However, you should keep in mind that this material heats up very quickly, but also cools down after a short time.
Even if they are available for espresso, the temperature drops faster than in a ceramic or porcelain cup. They are therefore particularly recommended for iced coffee or cold brew.
Pasabahce – 12 piece cup set
This set of 6 glass cups and 6 plates is ideal for espressos or ristrettos. Each cup has a capacity of 70 ml. They are very innovatively made as they are made of thick and resistant glass. The design is very simple and it is provided with a strong and resistant handle to avoid burns and also to be more durable.
Get Goods – Glass cups x6 pieces
Made of thick tempered glass with a capacity of 350 ml, these cups are ideal for cappuccino or latte. The interesting thing about these cups is that you can see the layers of your own coffee drink: the espresso, the milk and the foam. They are 10 cm high and have a diameter of 9 cm.
Judge – Double walled cup
Double-walled mugs and cups are a growing trend. Now there is a wide range of cups with handles and beakers. These cups with a capacity of 275 ml are ideal for making a latte.
Judge brand offers a wide range of cups in different sizes. They are made of a very durable material and equipped with thermal insulation on the handle and the outer layer of the cup, so you do not burn yourself.
Mug
These mugs are very famous because they appear in numerous American series and movies. They are really eye-catching because they come in different colors and designs. They are usually tall and have a large capacity for coffee lovers. They are ideal for filter coffee, Americano and milk-based drinks without foam.
They are made of very thick material to better retain heat. They are widely used, especially in the cold months, both in cafes and in homes.
Amuse – Cozy Collection mug
This brand is known for offering a wide range of mugs and cups for professional baristas at a very affordable price. This set of 6 mugs is very classic as they are made of white porcelain. Very traditional, but due to their large capacity of 360 ml, they fall into this category.
Ideal for a cappuccino, latte or a large coffee. These cups are widely used in famous coffee houses such as Lavazza, Illy, Coffee Bean, and others. They are very comfortable to hold in your hand because the handle is large. Due to their very resistant material, they are suitable for microwaves, ovens and dishwashers.
Lavezee – Mug with text
This is one of the innovative mugs that you can find on the market with a thousand designs. This one is blue and has “Love you to the moon” written on it. It is decorated with a planet and stars and a little astronaut on the handle of the mug. The astronaut does not prevent you from holding the mug comfortably, on the contrary, it has a wide handle that fits very well in your hand. Nowadays, you can often find this type of mug with applications or figures protruding from the mug.
The mug is made of ceramic and has a capacity of 470 ml. Ideal for those who like to enjoy coffee for a long time. It has a wide, sturdy base so it won’t fall over easily. However, it is a bit heavy, because the material is very thick, but it keeps the drink hot for a long time.
Types of glasses
Now that we have seen the different types of cups, it is time to find out what kind of glasses there are and for what kind of brewing they are suitable. Glasses are usually made of glass – kinda obvious- and do not have a handle.
Small glass
Like the small cup, a small glass is ideal for ristretto or espresso. It has a capacity of no more than 80 ml for when you want to drink a double espresso.
Now there are many bars and cafes that prefer such an espresso cup because in it you can see the golden cream layer, the color of the coffee and all the physical characteristics of the drink. It is the appearance that can have a great impact when drinking coffee.
A glass usually has a narrow base and a slightly wider opening. It is also commonly used for various small cocktails and to identify the different ingredients used. As mentioned above, a glass has the downside that the coffee cools faster than in a ceramic or porcelain cup.
DeLonghi – Essential Collection Set
If you’ve ever looked for coffee makers, you’ve probably heard of the DeLonghi brand. It is the market leader when it comes to coffee.
This espresso glass is double-walled, which is very common with coffee glasses because without handles they can get very hot and hard to grip. This set includes 6 espresso cups.
The double-wall ensures that the outside of the cup is insulated from the inside and doesn’t get as hot. Glasses in general need to be handled more carefully as they are more prone to breakage or chipping.
Large glass
This type of glass is very common for cold-brewed coffee. They are characterized by a wide opening, especially for cold coffee with cream topping. In general, they are a favorite for exotic preparations that are visually very appealing and deserve to be seen.
They have a large capacity for any type of drink. They are also very often used for frappés or slushies since they have a lot of space for ice.
Topkapi – Bella Donna Frappe II glass
This is a set of 6 coffee glasses with an elegant design and the characteristic bottom of the glasses. It has a capacity of 330 ml and is microwave and dishwasher safe. You can serve any coffee dessert, frappé, slush, iced coffee, or cold brew in it.
It has a height of 17.7 cm and a diameter of 8.3 cm at the opening and 7.7 cm at the body and is made of thick glass.
Duos – Glass with cat motif
This double-walled glass has a very elegant design and a capacity of 400 ml. You can find it in a set of 6 pieces. Since it is double-walled, it is suitable not only for cold drinks but also for hot ones. The resistant material makes it ideal for the microwave and dishwasher.
Irish coffee glass
This glass is more like a tall cup in appearance. However, it is always made of glass and has a handle and a base. It is called Irish coffee glass because it is specially designed for this type of coffee drink.
It is characterized by its height, large capacity, thick glass and wide opening.
Sendez – Set of 4 units
This set has a very elegant design and comes with 4 stainless steel spoons. The glasses have a capacity of 250 ml, a height of 14.5 cm and a diameter of 7.5 cm.
It is a high-quality pressed glass that gives you more durability. Although it is designed for Irish Coffee, you can also use it for other types of coffee, which will be particularly appreciated in this glass.
Thermos flask or mug to go
Thermos mugs are a great option for people on the go who want to have their coffee handy in a reusable container. They are becoming increasingly popular for several reasons. First, thermos mugs are environmentally friendly and greatly reduce the use of plastic and disposable cups in coffee shops.
It is now common for people to bring their own thermos mugs to coffee shops and have them filled to drink their coffee on the go. Secondly, these thermos mugs keep the coffee hot longer and you can also make it yourself at home and drink it throughout the day.
Another reason that makes them a real eye-catcher is that they come in different sizes and designs. Several of them are suitable for one personal coffee and others can hold up to three coffees. Generally, they are used for Americano and latte without foam.
Contigo – Pinnacle thermos mug
This thermos mug is made of stainless steel and has a capacity of 300 ml. It holds one or two coffees, depending on how big you want the drink to be.
You can use it for hot or cold drinks, as it has a double wall and the Thermoblock system that maintains the temperature of your coffee longer. Hot drinks last up to 3 hours and cold drinks last up to 10 hours. Ideal for those who spend a lot of time away from home.
It is made of very durable materials and is very easy to clean. It is also free of BPA, a very harmful chemical. Despite the resistant materials of the thermos, it is very light and weighs only 266 g.
Orbegozo – Thermos mug TRSL
This brand of electrical appliances is known for its quality and prices. This particular thermos has a capacity of 750 ml and is made of stainless steel. With this capacity, you can take a coffee for the whole day in a not too big size. It has a system that allows liquids to maintain their temperature for up to 12 hours.
It also has a convenient carrying strap, so you can take it anywhere.
KollyKolla – Thermos mug
It has a very stylish design and is available in different colors such as orange, black, purple, pink, light and dark blue, mint green, yellow and many others. It has different sizes: 350 ml, 500 ml, 650 ml, and 750 ml.
It is made of stainless steel, which makes it very resistant and perfect against accidents. It is double-walled, so you can keep hot drinks up to 12 hours and cold drinks up to 14 hours. This material is BPA-free, which makes the bottle safer.
Choosing the perfect container for your favorite coffee used to be a dilemma. Now, you know which ones are the best according to the type of brewing.
