Noble coffee requires an appropriate “framing”. The container in which it is served is no less important than the cooking technology. The choice is determined by the details: the volume of the coffee cup, the material from which it is made, the thickness of the walls, and appearance. The right containers will help maintain the desired temperature of the liquid required for coffee and coffee-based drinks. Coffee shop owners buy combined options. For the office and home, you can choose a cup “to suit you.”
Cup requirements
There is no single standard that applies to a coffee cup. But there are some subtleties. Its volume directly depends on the type of coffee drink. On average, sizes range from 60-170 ml.
The thickness of the cup walls, which helps maintain the temperature of the liquid, matters a lot. For hot drinks, you cannot use elegant thin mugs - the water cools down quickly. The inner coating must be durable and withstand high temperatures of 95 degrees.
Another detail is the shape. Those cups that are shaped like an egg or an ellipse are suitable. It has been noticed that this helps to better reveal the aroma of the drink. Demitasse mugs have this shape. Volume – from 60 to 90 ml.
The designs and colors of the mug do not affect the taste of the coffee, so they are chosen according to personal preferences.
Americano cup
The oval cup has long symbolized American fast food outlets. Americano is served in large trapezoid-shaped coffee mugs, with high walls, with a volume of up to 200 - 220 ml. To do this, add up to 160–180 ml of boiling water and various fillers (cream, syrup) to 30 grams of base coffee. According to etiquette, the drink should not be flush with the edges of the mug. Cappuccino cups are often used for this coffee.
Paper cups
Cellulose containers have been used in industry for 100 years. But a boom in production occurred with the development of a private catering network.
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Lightweight, durable material prevents customers from getting burned. This glass costs less than ceramic dishes - 2-5 rubles versus 500-1500 rubles. It’s easy to put a picture or coffee shop logo on the container.
The size of paper cups ranges from 220 ml to 500 ml. Coffee takes up no more than one third of the glass, and the rest is water, milk, ice cream and other additives.
Did you know that such a cup is called demitasse?
Not really
Materials for making cups, mugs, glasses and glasses
Even those who do not understand very well what the difference is between a mug and a cup know that there are no aluminum cups, but there are mugs. If the first of them are made most often from ceramics and porcelain, then the second are made from these materials too, as well as from:
- Glass.
- Tree.
- Enameled iron.
- Plastic, etc.
And chameleon mugs are ceramic products that also have an additional outer coating made of a material that reacts to increased temperature.
Glasses (like vessels for wine) and glasses are most often made of plain glass or crystal. But we also know paper and plastic cups very well.
A wooden or aluminum mug and a plastic cup are not unheard of, but you won’t find a cup made of such material
How much coffee is in coffee cups
Espresso
This coffee is drunk in small portions, up to 35 ml. Thick-walled ceramic baristas are heated before use to retain heat longer. Fill the demitasse only two-thirds full.
Modern cafeterias can serve the drink in a mug up to 100 ml. This is how businessmen save money on tableware - a similar cup can be used to pour other types of drinks.
Ristretto
Expert opinion
Vadim Kudryavtsev
Coffee expert, professional barista and simply in love with this aromatic drink.
Ask the barista a question
To prepare this coffee, use the same amount of beans as for espresso - 8-11 grams, but brew it in 20 ml of water.
The aromatic liquid is poured into tiny cups without handles that look more like shot glasses.
Americano
A type of espresso. For cooking, 14-18 grams of ground grains are used. Then up to 400 ml of water is added.
Americano is not as strong as espresso. Therefore, it is drunk in large quantities. Coffee shops use 170-220 ml mugs.
Eastern style
The capacity of the classic drink is 70-90 ml.
It is better to use demitasse, whose ovoid shape is ideal for a strong-tasting liquid.
Cappuccino
Consists of milk, thick foam and 8-11 grams of ground grains, which are mixed in equal proportions.
Served in glasses with a capacity of 170-220 ml. Drinking takes up the entire volume of the mug, and foam sometimes extends beyond its limits.
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Latte
It differs from cappuccino in containing 50-100 ml more milk. First, the barista heats up two milk parts and adds one shot of espresso. Top the drink with whipped foam.
Tall glass glasses with a handle, volume 220-320 ml, are suitable for lattes.
In Irish
This coffee contains whiskey, ground beans, whipped cream and brown sugar (molasses). The amount of grains is classic - 8-11 grams, alcohol makes up a third.
Serve in tall glass glasses, like for a latte. The hot drink is decorated with whipped cream.
Frappuccino, mochaccino, raf, freddo
The basis of these coffee drinks is espresso. Milk, cream, ice cream, syrups, chocolate, and juice are added to it.
The standard capacity of cocktail glasses is 220-320 ml. There are containers 50-100 ml larger.
In milliliters, espresso has the same volume of 40 ml, the rest of the space is taken up by “additives”.
For professional tasting, white ceramic dishes are used. In cafeterias and restaurants, the rules are not so strict, so cups in other colors are found there.
What is the best material and color to choose?
Cups for cappuccino and espresso are usually made of porcelain, as it ensures long-term temperature retention. Thanks to porcelain, the walls are quite thick and do not heat up so quickly, and the enamel layer makes the dishes high quality and more reliable.
Check that the enamel is dense and without pores. This is very important because coffee has the ability to remain in even the smallest pores and stain the walls of the cup.
Ceramic dishes are no different in appearance from porcelain, but the cost is much cheaper. An important point to pay attention to is the density of the wall. It should be quite dense, and the enamel coating should be smooth. Ceramics are slightly heavier than porcelain.
If you follow the classics, then the cappuccino cup should be white, without any designs or patterns, so as not to distract from the beautiful foam. This suggests that coffee shops place high demands on clean dishes, because even the smallest dirt immediately becomes noticeable against a white background.
The second reason is the admiration for the incredible and delicate foam, on which small but attractive patterns are often drawn.
But today, cup manufacturers offer to buy mugs in black, beige, brown colors, as well as dishes with decorative patterns on them. And brands that have become very famous print their logos and designs on dishes.
In fact, there are no restrictions on colors. If you want to buy pieces for your home with patterns or, in general, multi-colored ones, then feel free to take them. You will agree that it is much more pleasant to enjoy your favorite drink from your favorite cup.
You can also choose glassware, although those who truly appreciate cappuccino completely refuse such material. Sometimes cappuccino is served in other glasses that are intended for Irish coffee, but the volume is not always suitable.
Preferences in different situations
Countries and connoisseurs
In Russia, a coffee cup with a volume of 100-130 ml is in demand, which is considered large in Europe and Asia. In the USA, they prefer to drink from impressive containers up to 180 ml, and cappuccino and latte - up to 350 ml.
Coffee gourmets prefer half-shaped containers called dmitas. They hold 60 ml of natural coffee. They pour coffee drinks into glasses up to 250 ml.
Which cups do you most often drink coffee from?
up to 130 mlot 130 and above
For home and office
To make coffee at home, coffee lovers use ceramic mugs of their favorite color with a volume of 170 to 220 ml. These sizes allow you to pour cappuccino, latte, mocha. The main thing is that there is a comfortable handle that allows you to hold a hot cup in your hands.
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For work or the office, buy medium-sized containers of 150-170 ml, which are versatile. They are also used for tea, juices, and water. Preference is given to pleasant pastel colors that do not irritate.
For a coffee shop
Cafe owners choose cups of at least three sizes:
- 50-90 ml – for serving ristretto, espresso;
- 170-220 ml – for cappuccino, latte, Americano;
- up to 350 ml – for coffee cocktails.
If you buy mugs from one supplier, you can negotiate a discount. Another plus is that the same dishes will emphasize the style of the coffee shop.
How to choose a cappuccino cup
Everyone knows that the drink is prepared on the basis of espresso with the addition of frothed milk. Due to the lush foam, the volume increases several times, so the usual coffee utensils will not work. Important criteria for choosing a cup for a drink:
- Trapezoid shape. This is the most suitable option, since in such a cup the coffee remains warm for a long time. When choosing a mug for cappuccino, follow the rule: the larger the volume, the higher the walls of the vessel should be. However, some tableware manufacturers ignore this point and produce original copies of coffee tableware.
- Rounded bottom. Sharp edges will destroy the delicate milk foam, so choose a cup with an “egg-shaped” bottom.
- Thickened walls and bottom. This will keep the coffee warm for a long time.
- Comfortable handle. It is impossible to enjoy a pleasant taste when your fingers come into contact with a hot mug. Some manufacturers produce glasses with double walls, which allow you to retain the warmth of the drink without burning your hands.
- A small saucer. Since it is not customary to serve a spoon and sugar with a cup of cappuccino, a small saucer is needed to prevent coffee drops from staining the tablecloth.
Volume
The usual cup volume for coffee and milk pleasure is 170 ml. But according to the classical canons, the container into which cappuccino is poured should hold 120 ml, that is, two servings of espresso. If you like to experiment with making coffee, use cups with a volume in the range of 120-300 ml. You can also pour latte, lungo, Americano, espresso with the addition of cream into large mugs.
Do not forget that the milk cap should reach the very edges, regardless of the volume of the dish.
Material
Choose cups with thick walls and bottoms. They retain the heat of the drink longer, while the milk foam does not settle. Suitable materials:
- durable porcelain;
- ceramics;
- clay.
The inside walls of ceramic and clay products are coated with high quality enamel, which protects the material from frequent contact with hot liquid during coffee preparation.
What to look for when choosing:
- smooth inner surface;
- shine from within;
- homogeneity of the material;
- no unevenness on the walls and edges.
Color
Many people prefer the classic color of cappuccino coffee cups – white. It has a number of advantages:
- suitable for all types of events: friendly gatherings, romantic dates, gala banquets;
- combines with the coffee-milk shade of the drink;
- will fit into any table setting.
Manufacturers of tableware have diversified the classics and offer other variations of white color for coffee cups:
- vanilla milk;
- champagne color;
- powdery;
- soft beige.
For coffee aesthetes, they produce options with patterns, ornaments, and floral motifs. Expensive dishes can be decorated with a sophisticated pattern made with gilding.
Coffee shops and restaurants prefer to use white coffee cups, and there are a couple of main reasons for this:
- On light-colored dishes, any, even the most minor, stains are visible. Typically, restaurateurs buy white sets so that guests can enjoy aromatic cappuccino in perfectly clean cups.
- Attention should be drawn to the most delicate milk foam with a pattern from the barista, and not to the patterns on the walls of the mugs.
When choosing dishes for your home or office, you can move away from the classical canons. There is a wide range of multi-colored cups on sale: black, green, blue, pink, brown, even transparent.
Large companies often put their logo on tea/coffee utensils for advertising purposes.
Form
Classic drink cups should have a trapezoidal shape. Restaurants usually serve cappuccino in a container that tapers towards the base. It is believed that this is the only way the coffee will not cool down quickly, and the fluffy milk foam will not settle. For the same purposes, cups are made with double walls. Traditional cappuccino containers expand at the top and look like a bowl or glass with high walls.
Manufacturer
A wide selection of all kinds of tea and coffee sets often leads the buyer to a painful choice: what to buy? For those who prefer quality items from trusted brands, we can suggest paying attention to the following manufacturers:
- Bernadotte. The Czech brand offers a wide range of coffee utensils, including cups and saucers for cappuccino. If you are a fan of sophisticated classics, pay attention to this manufacturer. Traditional 120 ml cups, made of white porcelain and decorated with a golden rim, will not leave lovers of fine glassware indifferent. The price for a saucer and a cup is 500 rubles.
Most often, Bernadotte produces coffee sets for 6 people. It is quite difficult to find one-piece options from the brand.
- Delonghi. For those who love original coffee utensils, we can recommend glass glasses from a famous world brand. They are made of double material that is resistant to high temperatures. The set includes 6 glasses. Price – 5000 rub.
- Weimar. A well-known German brand that produces classic coffee tableware of good quality. Pay attention to the pair for cappuccino: the correct-shaped cup and saucer are made of porcelain, hand-painted. Price – 1500 rub.
- Koziol. Another manufacturer from Germany, specializing in the production of modern tableware. From the assortment I would like to highlight original coffee glasses equipped with heat-resistant inserts. They don't need handles, the hot walls won't burn your hands. Price for 1 piece – 700 rub.
- ILLY. Italian manufacturers offer porcelain cups for Americano and cappuccino. Thanks to the durable material and perfectly smooth surface, the dishes are easy to clean and can withstand high temperatures well. Price per cup (volume 170 ml) with saucer – 690 rubles.
Frappuccino mug
This coffee cocktail is considered less of a drink and more of a dessert. It is made from cappuccino, to which frothed milk and a serving of ice cream are added.
It has a large volume, so it requires large dishes from 350 ml; coffee mugs with a capacity of up to 500 ml or original glass dessert glasses with transparent walls are often used for it, allowing you to admire the beauty of the drink. Other coffee-based cocktails are also served in such dishes - Freddo, raf, mochaccino, drinks with added chocolate, alcohol, juices, and so on.
Which cup to choose for home and office
When choosing coffee utensils, you should pay attention not only to its capacity, but also to the material from which the utensils are made.
You should immediately exclude plastic and plastic products - they not only worsen the taste of the noble drink, but under the influence of high temperature, they begin to release harmful substances.
Porcelain
Vessels can be very light and thin, or heavy, with thickened walls. In such a mug, coffee reveals its unique taste and aroma; the cups have an elegant design, can be a wonderful purchase for the home and a memorable gift, from which it is so pleasant to drink a hot drink during a break at work.
Earthenware
These cups are much cheaper than porcelain, have strong thick walls and a thick bottom, and are very durable. They maintain the temperature of the coffee well, do not allow the drink to cool down quickly, and the affordable price makes such cups accessible to all segments of the population. Such dishes can be found in any home and office.
Beautiful glass coffee cups
They are made from special tempered glass. They have heat-resistant and heat-resistant properties. Elegant transparent forms with double walls serve no worse than ceramic ones, being fragile and a wonderful decoration for any apartment or workplace.
Glass ceramic cookware is a good budget option for coffee. It is presented in a very wide selection at low prices. You can always find a cup to suit every taste for your home or as a gift for colleagues.
Thermal mug
Thermal cookware has become especially popular. Double-walled coffee glasses keep your favorite drink hot for a long time. Thermal mugs are especially convenient for the office, when it is not possible to brew a fresh drink every time during the working day.
Wood, cardboard and bamboo
Such eco-friendly dishes have special properties; the coffee in them will fully reveal its unique aroma and taste. Eco-friendly coffee mugs do not heat up and you cannot burn your hands with them.
Ceramic mug with special lid
You can choose any size cup for any variety and recipe. They will delight gourmets with their varied designs and comfortable handles. And the lid will prevent the glass of coffee from cooling quickly. This mug is often complemented by a special ceramic spoon.
