Coffee cups or mugs come in numerous sizes, shapes, and materials. Choosing the best coffee mug among so many options may seem difficult.
Here's a guide to help you choose the right coffee cup to have a magical coffee drinking experience.
Coffee cup Material:
The three most common types of mugs are ceramic, glass, and metal. They each have advantages and disadvantages. Ceramic is the most common material used to make coffee cups. hey tend to be affordable, but they can crack or chip if handled roughly or exposed to hot liquids or sinks. Ceramic mugs are dishwasher safe and microwavable.
A wide range of shapes, sizes, and styles are available in glass. Many people prefer glass coffee cups since they can see the color and clarity of their beverage. However, a majority of glass cups in the market are too light or fragile for practical use. Also, glass doesn't conduct heat well, so it won't keep your drink warm.
For this reason, we have introduced our signature coffee cups and tasting glasses made with borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass is ideal for long-term use. It will not crack when exposed to extreme heat or cold. The double-wall provides excellent thermal insulation. These cups look beautiful and are easy to stack.
Stainless steel is another good material for coffee mugs. They are durable, insulate fairly well, and are, of course, rust-free. However, metal cups are not dishwasher safe.
Melamine or stoneware are some other materials used for coffee cups.
Choosing the right size and height:
The most common size of a coffee mug is 12 ounces. This is generally the standard size in restaurants and cafes. However, an average person may only need 8 to 10 ounces of coffee, depending on how strong you like it. You can use a smaller cup if you want a single serving or if you prefer to drink your coffee slower.
In addition, smaller cups are ideal for home-brewed coffee since they can be easily refilled. A bigger mug will suit you if you intend to use it on the go.
Another thing to consider when choosing a coffee cup is how high it stands from the bottom to the rim. A higher mug allows more coffee crema to form inside the cup, which improves the aroma. However, taller mugs are inconvenient for people who need only a few sips.
One-handle vs two-handle mugs:
You might find it more relaxing to enjoy your coffee in a double-handle mug if it's just you and your partner. However, you should choose a one-handed cup if you make coffee for a large group of people. It is easy to serve coffee to everyone without too many handles.
Travel mugs:
Another type of coffee cup is the travel mug. They usually come with a lid that prevents spills or have rubber grips, so they are easy to carry around. These are great for people who are always on the move and need to transport their drinks.
You should carry your own cup even if you are not a frequent traveler. The use of disposable cups rather than reusable cups harms the environment in more than one way.
Coffee Maker Compatibility:
Before buying a coffee mug, you will also need to check if it is compatible with your coffee maker. Some coffee makers are designed to make optimal use of the mugs. Therefore, only certain models will work with the machine.
Additional features:
The main function of a coffee mug is obviously to hold liquid, but it may also come with additional features such as temperature control. These devices can be connected to your smartphone and maintain a set temperature. You can also go for personalized mugs, cups with lids, or silicone sleeves.
While these features are nice-to-have, it's best to prioritize your needs and choose a mug that is effective for what you require.
How to Take Care of a Coffee Mug?
Coffee mugs, in general, are pretty durable, but some factors may shorten their lifespan. Following these tips will ensure that you enjoy your coffee cups for longer:
Always use a gentle hand when handling your mugs.
Avoid putting the coffee mug in the dishwasher, even if it is labeled as dishwasher safe. It can lead to peeling and flaking of paint and may result in chipping and cracking of the design.
Use a coaster or trivet when placing your cup on surfaces that can be easily stained or scratched, like wood or glass.
Do not let your cups stand in the sun to dry. This can cause fading of the color.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners to scrub away stains. Instead, use warm water and dishwashing soap. For best results, soak the cup overnight in a mixture of salt and vinegar before washing it.
Make sure your coffee mug is 100% dry before storing it to prevent mold and mildew from forming inside.
Do not wrap it in a paper towel, as the moisture may cause wrinkles, and getting rid of them can be difficult.
It's best to use a lint-free cloth to absorb the excess moisture.
If you live in a humid environment, consider storing your coffee cups in the dishwasher or cabinets to keep them away from water.
How much will you pay for a Coffee Cup?
When buying coffee mugs, prices may vary. An average coffee cup costs between $10 - $30, depending on factors such as material, size, design, and extra features.
Mugs made of ceramic are more affordable than those made of stainless steel or toughened glass. Plastic or paper cups are even cheaper, but those are not recommended for several reasons.
Conclusion:
Which coffee mug is right for you? The answer depends on your personal preferences.
There is, of course, the option of purchasing more than one mug. This way, there will always be clean coffee mugs available and backups in case one is damaged.
Consider getting a standard coffee cup made from ceramic or toughened glass to use at home. Travel mugs should have lids made from a durable, thermal insulator material, such as stainless steel.
(Note: I may earn a small commission from purchases made through product links in this article at no extra cost to you. Additionally, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
Choosing the right coffee mug can have a dramatic impact how you enjoy your coffee. To many manual coffee brewers drinking coffee is more than just a daily habit, it is a ritual. A favorite coffee cup is part of that ritual. For me there is nothing better than having a thick, ceramic diner style coffee mug to drink coffee out of in the morning (and afternoon and night&#;).
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While most coffee mugs are chosen rather serendipitously (gifts, random purchases at coffee shop and tech conference swag), there are a few things to consider if you are actively looking for a new favorite coffee mug.
In this post, I will be discussing the various things you should consider when on the hunt for a vessel to hold your precious manually brewed coffee as well as recommending a few of my favorite mug and cup designs to point you in the right direction.
I would love to hear from you guys about what you look for in a coffee cup and where your favorite mug came from. Let me know if there are mugs that should be on my list.
What you like to drink your coffee out of will be different for everybody. There are no right or wrong answers to personal coffee cup preferences but here are a few things to consider.
While shape, design, color and material all deserve their own category for consideration, they also fall under the broader category of aesthetic appeal.
How a piece of coffeeware looks should be a major factor when choosing a coffee mug. As they say. &#;Beauty is in the eye of the beholder&#; and you should have a coffee mug that brings you joy (The Life-Change Magic of Tidying Up&#; anyone?).
Whether is it a witty saying, a nostalgic design or a mug that deserves its own series of Instagram posts, your first and foremost consideration for a favorite mug should be whether you like the way it looks or not.
Similar to aesthetics, function is a larger category that touches some of the smaller categories. Think about the settings and circumstances you enjoy your coffee in and what you look for in a cup of coffee.
Are you primarily drinking coffee on the go? Maybe look into a travel thermos or a mug that will fit into your car&#;s cup holder. Looking for a Travel Mug?-Some Travel Mugs Worth Considering (also check out the Fellow Carter Everywhere Mug).
Looking for a mug to take camping? Think about durability and how well it works with your coffee outside brewing method.
Are you a busy parent that can&#;t be bothered with hand washing your dishes? Look for a coffee cup that is durable, keeps your coffee warm and is dishwasher safe.
The shape of a coffee cup is a major part of its appeal but there is more to shape than surface considerations.
Look for a mug that fits into your hand and is comfortable to drink out of. This will of course look different for everyone but think about how you like to hold your mug (cupped in two hands, by the handle, or ???). The shape of a coffee mug should meet that ritual.
Along with other factors, the shape of a coffee mug can also affect how coffee will taste (yes coffee can taste different out of different vessels) and the general functionality of a coffee cup.
The Lino, by notNeutral, was designed with taste and function in mind. Every detail down to a place to rest your thumb was meticulously designed with user comfort in mind.
The shape of a coffee cup will have a big impact on its functionality and if it is right for you. A giant coffee mug will not be a good fit for someone who drinks small cups of coffee, a tall skinny mug will not be ideal for a klutz (like me) and a shallow mug with a large mouth would be less than ideal for someone who likes their coffee warm but does not drink it very fast.
The color of you coffee mug might seem to fit solely into the &#;Coffee Mug Aesthetics&#; category and for the most part, it does. As I mentioned above, you should choose a coffee mug that you like the look of.
However, it is worth mentioning that there has been some research suggesting the color of you coffee mug can also affect how you perceive a coffee to taste. A study done in found that people tasted coffee differently when they drank it out of a white mug.
I wouldn&#;t get too wrapped up in this but it is interesting none-the-less and worth noting.
The material your coffee mug is made out of can impact everything from how your coffee tastes, to heat retention, and how you should care for it.
Ceramic coffee mugs are the most popular choices but you can also find coffee mugs made of glass, enamelware and even stainless steel.
What&#;s the difference between Porcelain Mugs and Ceramic Mugs? Technically speaking, porcelain is a type of ceramic but in most cases, when someone talks about a ceramic mug, they mean that it is not porcelain. Porcelain mugs have thinner walls and can be translucent or opaque. Ceramic mugs are generally thicker, better for heat retention, and more durable.
Ceramic is my go-to material, although I do enjoy the aforementioned porcelain Lino mug. Most ceramics can be thrown in the dishwasher, are pretty durable and are quite pleasant to drink coffee out of.
I am personally not a fan of enamelware or stainless steel in a daily coffee mug. I don&#;t like the experience of drinking out of either and the metal mugs make the coffee taste a little different.
Glass is a fine choice for a mug but again, I don&#;t prefer it. This is mostly a preference based on aesthetics.
I&#;m always on the look out for unique coffee cups. Whether it&#;s a vintage mug from a thrift store or cool merch from a favorite roaster. Here are the mugs I&#;m into right now. I&#;d love to add more to the list, contact me or comment below if there are ones I am missing out on.
Cover photo by Ken Englert
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