Coffee cup are the go-to drinking vessel for hot beverages — and they’re not only practical, but also environmentally friendly. Australians consume 2.7 million disposable paper and plastic coffee cups every day, which adds up to over a billion each year – with only about 10% of them being recycled. Reusable coffee cups are a simple and effective way to cut back on this waste, and they’re available in a range of sizes and styles to suit any drinker.
There are two common kinds of coffee cup: mug and tumbler. A mug is more like a teacup, and it’s usually smaller with a narrower bottom and wider top (or brim) than the rest of the cup. Typically, it’s used for espresso and shorter types of coffee and is often served with a saucer or on its own. A coffee mug can be made from any kind of drinkware, including ceramics, porcelain, steel, and glass.
A tumbler is a more durable type of coffee cup that’s designed to be portable and convenient. The most popular tumbler is a stainless steel travel mug, which is made to fit a car cup holder and can be found in a range of colours and styles. It’s also great for on-the-go coffee drinkers who want to reduce their impact on the environment. There are also ceramic and porcelain versions of the classic tumbler, as well as a variety of colourful options that would look great in any home kitchen.
The size of a coffee cup has a significant effect on its aroma, and this has to do with headspace, which is the amount of space between the liquid and the top of the glass. Narrower mugs leave less headspace, and thus produce a weaker aroma, while wider mugs allow more room for the coffee’s scent to aerate and intensify.
Regardless of what kind of coffee cup you choose, it’s important to remember to use a lid to prevent spills and to keep your beverage warmer for longer. Another useful accessory is a coffee sleeve, which are cylindrical sleeves that tightly fit over handleless paper or plastic coffee cups to insulate your hands. These are commonly used in cafes and restaurants that serve coffee to go, and they can also be bought as a reusable option for your at-home coffee drinking experience.
A coffee mug is the most versatile and widely-used form of drinkware for any kind of coffee, from strong black to sweetened milky drinks. They’re commonly made from ceramics, porcelain, metals such as steel and copper, or polystyrene — also known as styrofoam. The latter is a cheap and versatile material that can be used for any kind of hot beverage, but it’s not as good at retaining heat as the other materials.
While mugs are more convenient and functional than cups, they’re not as pretty to look at, which may make them less suitable for a formal occasion such as dinner with a client. Cups are generally more elegant and traditional, and they’re usually used for long types of coffee or when a drinker wants to impress.