Different Types of Coffee Cups & Mugs
When preparing coffee, good coffee beans, and a decent coffee machine are a must, but a nice coffee cup should not be underestimated. Because it is what makes our favorite drink perfect! It is not for nothing that most of us have a favorite cup at home or in the office that we particularly like to drink from.
Mostly these are coffee cups that we simply find particularly beautiful or with which we associate certain experiences. The favorite cup can be as different as we humans are. There is the perfect coffee cup for every preference and every type. Here you can find out how to find your new darling item and what to look for when buying.
What material should your coffee cup be made of?
Coffee cups don't have to be made of ceramic. Today, retro enamel cups are enjoying increasing popularity again, but glass cups can also be found on some coffee tables. Each material has certain advantages and disadvantages, which we give an overview of in this article.
The classics: different types of ceramics
When looking for the most common materials for coffee cups, there is no way around ceramics, earthenware, and porcelain. But what is the difference between these three types of material? One can philosophize about it endlessly. In short, ceramics can be traced back to the ancient Greek word “keramos”, which means “fired clay”.
Earthenware coffee cup: rustic, sensitive
Stoneware cups have a rustic look and are usually a little thicker. The fine veins in the glaze, which appear after a while because the material is reworked, are particularly characteristic - the most obvious feature to distinguish earthenware from stoneware. In these small cracks, discoloration gradually spreads and the porous glaze draws water. You have to like this "used look" and be aware of the "risk of leaks". Pretty old stoneware dishes from grandma or from the flea market are therefore more suitable for storing dry things. Nowadays, people mostly rely on modern stoneware to enjoy coffee.
Stoneware coffee cup: a reliable companion
Because as soon as the glaze was broken, earthenware dishes drew water and left damp marks on the wooden furniture, something that people tried to avoid, for example by using tablecloths. With hard-fired stoneware, you no longer have to fear such mishaps because the glaze is more resistant. Otherwise, it looks very similar to the earthenware material and has comparably good heat storage. With models made of fireproof stoneware, you are always right if you like a rustic, yet chic coffee cup.
Porcelain coffee cups: white gold
Porcelain is a true classic on coffee tables and the finest form of ceramics. Older generations, in particular, are used to getting the "good china" out of the cupboard for a Sunday visit over coffee and cake. Due to its main component kaolin, unprocessed porcelain has a beautiful, pure white color, which clearly distinguishes it from coarser ceramics made of reddish clay.
Modern porcelain cups shimmer, appear slightly transparent and fragile - and they break faster than stoneware. Today they are not as expensive to buy as they used to be and, especially as part of a tableware set, they are absolutely timeless.
The innovative ones: Coffee cups made of enamel, glass & metal
A coffee cup doesn't have to be made of some kind of ceramic. Those who prefer something more unusual will find numerous options today! Such as the following models made of metal, enamel, and glass.
Metal coffee cup: cool, lightweight
Metal coffee cups are more likely to be known for outdoor use or as a companion to camping coffee machines. But they are also doing amazingly well at home! They are light, retain warmth for a particularly long time and look cool and elegant at the same time. Their close relatives are the enamel cups that we introduce below.
Enamel coffee cup: hipster's darling
Enamel is made from easily fusible glass that is applied to metal. In our family, the enamel coffee cup used to come with every camping holiday, and it could also be found in the kitchen cupboard at home. Today, high-quality enamel dishes with modern designs and edges made of stainless steel have received a hipster upgrade, which makes them much more durable. With their smooth surface, enamel cups are easy to clean, anti-bacterial and, if properly cared for, long-lasting. However, the enamel is thermally conductive and a coffee cup made from this material heats up quickly. In order to avoid burned fingers, you should not enjoy very hot drinks from them and always use the handle. Coffee is healthier anyway if you drink it warm but not hot.
Glass coffee cup: the all-rounder
Coffee or tea? For some, this question simply does not arise because they like to drink both. Coffee cups made of glass, which can also be used for tea, are suitable for such flexible tastes . Glass coffee mugs - or "coffee glasses" - are particularly minimalist and their shape comes into its own thanks to the simple color. Just like their content, which is why they are ideal for the beautifully layered latte macchiato. They are usually made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass, which does not crack even at high temperatures!
The perfect coffee mug for all types of coffee
When choosing a coffee cup, you can go with the material on the one hand, and the way you prefer to drink your coffee on the other. Small or big? As coffee, espresso, or macchiato? At home or on the go? Depending on the situation and preference, everyone can find their own personal favorite cup.
Classic coffee cup: enjoy in style
The popular, traditional coffee cup and saucer are the highlight of every tableware service, along with the coffee pot. We love the smaller cups: They have style, invite you to enjoy coffee slowly with friends and there is space for both a spoon and a small biscuit on the saucer. They are also perfect for a cappuccino! The classic coffee cups in retro designs are particularly pretty, stimulate the passion for collecting and immediately make you want to spend a cozy afternoon with a piece of self-baked cake or brunch.
Large coffee mug: for heavy drinkers and workaholics
Can't get enough of great coffee, especially in the morning and during work? Then the large coffee mug is probably your favorite companion. But the most spacious of all coffee cups shouldn't be a cheap promotional gift, precisely because you hold it in your hand so often. It's a piece of personality! How about, for example, funny mugs with an announcement, handle mugs with relief faces, or a pretty cup set with painted patterns?
Milk coffee cup: For café au lait slurpers
Milk coffee is slightly larger than normal coffee and is served in a bowl in the proper style. Why is it served like that? Maybe because a lot fits in and the coffee mixes particularly well with the high milk content. In any case, the bowl lies comfortably in the hand and is simply part of slow sipping!
Useful tip: Of course, you can use the bowl for other purposes and not only for coffee with milk but also for desserts and the like. And did you know that you can also enjoy milk coffee as a vegan version with a milk substitute? Definitely try it out!
Espresso cup: For fans of the little black dress
The little awakening comes into its own in an espresso cup. Incidentally, coffee and espresso are actually made from the same coffee beans, except that the espresso is roasted much more strongly and therefore tastes much stronger. A correspondingly smaller portion that fits into an equally smaller espresso cup is sufficient. That is why it would be a sacrilege to simply use a normal coffee cup for your espresso!
In addition to optical and traditional reasons, your espresso in an espresso cup keeps its temperature optimally, because the thick-walled drinking vessel is suitable for the quantity and is usually double-walled. An espresso would cool down way too quickly in a larger cup! The shape of the espresso cup is a matter of taste.
Latte macchiato glass: For Italian “impostors”
A perfect latte macchiato consists of only 3 ingredients: warm milk, espresso, and milk foam. They are layered on top of each other in a narrow latte macchiato glass and create the well-known striped look of the Italian classic. Therefore it never really belongs in a cup, but always in a glass! Because how else are you supposed to see the pretty layers ?!
A good latte macchiato glass has a very specific look. It is longer than a normal coffee cup and a bit thicker at the bottom so that you can touch it without burning your fingers despite the poured hot drink. The glass is generously open at the top so that the milk foam retains its shape.
The to-go mug: For enjoying coffee on the go
For caffeine junkies who are on the go a lot, their favorite coffee is a to-go variant. Beautiful and environmentally friendly are handy Thermos. They are made of materials such as metal, glass, or plastic. They even fit under any espresso machine in a café or at home! In addition to the classic elongated Thermo mugs, there are now models with handles or normal-looking mugs with lids.
What does your favorite cup look like?
With the coffee cup, it is like many things in life: There is no such thing as the "one" perfect one for everyone! Because it depends entirely on your personal taste, according to which criteria you choose your favorite cup. Thus, we would like to know what your favorite coffee cup or mug looks like? Sharing is caring so make sure you let us know.