Coffee Cups
Coffee Cup Guide: What makes good coffee tableware?
Whether floral, patterned, plain, or with lettering – coffee cups are more than just a drinking vessel! We particularly enjoy drinking our beloved hot beverage, coffee, from an attractive coffee cup – and it tastes twice as good. Coffee is prepared and served in a variety of ways.
It’s not just the look of the coffee cup that matters:
For every coffee drink – whether Espresso ✓ Cappuccino ✓ Latte Macchiato ✓ Caffè latte ✓ or Filter Coffee ✓ – there is a suitable cup.
Only with the right coffee cup does each coffee specialty achieve its perfectly rounded taste and allow its aroma to unfold optimally. You'll find out what differences there are between the various coffee cups and what else you should consider when buying coffee cups in our guide!
All your cups in the cupboard? What types of coffee cups are there?
While in earlier times the standardised, small coffee cup with a capacity of 150 ml was the most commonly used cup, today there is an almost infinitely wide spectrum of sizes and designs of drinking vessels for coffee. Coffee cups not only vary in volume, but each coffee specialty requires a specific vessel to best develop its aroma and taste.
Just looking at cups for coffee, we distinguish between the small coffee cup ✓, the large coffee cup ✓, the coffee mug ✓, and the jumbo mug ✓. For the various coffee variations such as espresso, cappuccino & co., a wide variety of coffee cup types and shapes have developed, such as espresso cups ✓ and cappuccino cups ✓. Furthermore, cups like the Caffè latte cup ✓ also have their justification, enriching the market of coffee cups.
Typical coffee cups differ in:
- Small coffee cup
- Large coffee cup
- Coffee mug
- Jumbo mug
Special coffee cups for coffee specialities are differentiated into:
- Espresso cup
- Cappuccino cup
- Caffè latte cup
- and many more.
The small coffee cup – the classic among coffee cups
Nothing happened at the coffee table in earlier times without the classic among cups – the small coffee cup. For Sunday coffee with cake, everything one had was served. People enjoyed the Sunday get-together and formally ritualised the coffee morning. The household’s coffee service also represented the family's standing. Porcelain manufacturers supplied exclusive porcelain from the coffee cup with saucer to the cake plate.
Traditional coffee tableware also included the matching coffee pot, milk jug, and sugar bowl. And let's be honest: a well-stocked household shouldn't be without a coffee service even today, even if it's no longer used as much as in days gone by. However, small coffee cups can still be found readily available in most kitchens. The typical shape of a coffee cup, whether small or large, widens towards the top for optimal aroma.
The large coffee cup – changing coffee consumption
While coffee used to be expensive and a rare commodity, mostly drunk in small quantities on special occasions, it evolved over centuries and decades into the most popular beverage. In 2021, each German consumed an average of 5.4 kilograms of coffee. Germany ranks 11th globally. Luxembourgers drink the most coffee – they have a per capita consumption of an impressive 11.1 kilograms (Source: Statista).
Each German therefore drinks around 164 litres of the popular hot beverage. That is far more than water or even beer. With such rising consumption figures, it's no surprise that coffee cups in Germany are getting larger and larger.
The large coffee cup has the same shape as the small coffee cup and is its counterpart. The capacity varies greatly, but the shape is the same, widening from the base of the coffee cup to the rim. A matching saucer in the same design still belongs to the large coffee cup today.
The coffee mug – affectionately known as 'Haferl' in Bavaria
The coffee mug is excellent for enjoying your morning coffee and is the preferred cup in the office. The coffee mug also holds more hot beverage. To be called a coffee mug, these ‘Haferl’, as they are affectionately known in Bavaria, have a volume of 250 ml to 500 ml. With a large handle, it fits well in the hand, making it a constant companion. Unlike the small and large coffee cups, which are usually offered to guests, the coffee mug is a personal drinking vessel that is also a statement.
Who doesn't have their own favourite coffee mug, which is preferably used for drinking coffee? Patterned, in bright colours, or adorned with a saying, every coffee mug has its individual expressiveness, reflecting the owner's character.
Coffee mugs are also characterised by their robustness and are particularly impact-resistant. Their thick walls make them very heat-resistant and they can maintain the coffee's temperature well. Coffee mugs are easily cleaned in the dishwasher on their own.
The jumbo mug – for the really big coffee moment
If a coffee mug isn't enough capacity, reach for a jumbo mug. Jumbo mugs are available with volumes of 500 ml, 750 ml up to a generous 1000 ml and come in a variety of designs. One thing is guaranteed with these giant cups – they are absolute eye-catchers. Drinking from a jumbo mug is also a true pleasure, as you can hold it with both hands and savour the hot coffee.
The jumbo mug is particularly well suited for preparing caffè latte and coffee beverages whose milk foam requires a lot of space. In terms of their colourful nature and creativity, jumbo mugs are in no way inferior to coffee mugs. They are available in equally unusual and appealing designs.
Further advantages of oversized coffee cups: They are almost indestructible and maintain temperature optimally due to their thick walls. And if the coffee in the XXL cup does get cold – don't worry about it. Cold coffee makes you beautiful.
The espresso cup – coffee enjoyment the Italian way
The espresso cup is the cup for the small coffee speciality from Italy. A classic espresso cup only holds about 40 ml. However, for a double espresso, there are also larger espresso cups with a greater capacity on the market. The appearance of the espresso cup is traditionally based on that of a coffee cup, but the wall of the espresso cup is thicker than that of conventional coffee cups, so that the espresso does not cool down too quickly.
Another advantage: You can easily pick up the cups without burning yourself, because the outer wall does not get too hot. The shape also encourages the typical crema for espresso to form optimally on the caffè as a dense, slightly brownish topping.
Espresso cups are available in the traditional style with a saucer, but countless modern variations of cups for the little Italian are also available, each offering its own individual style in design and shape. With these small works of art, you can showcase your coffee table and live coffee culture.
The Cappuccino Cup - Espresso and Milk Foam United
In the **cappuccino cup**, with its wide, flared rim, espresso and milk foam combine to create a delicious cappuccino. The cappuccino cup has this unusual shape to allow the milk foam to meld with the espresso during preparation. The milk foam of a typical cappuccino is surrounded by a brown rim of espresso. This provides the barista with the perfect canvas to create their Latte Art on the cappuccino.
Anyone who loves this Italian coffee drink should definitely opt for a cappuccino cup. To create an ideal mix of the two ingredients, these **special cups hold 150 ml to 200 ml** of coffee speciality.
What's more, they are usually very thick-walled. Pre-warmed, the cup can maintain the temperature optimally. For a biscuit, sugar to sweeten, and a place for the spoon, cappuccino cups usually come with their saucer, presenting an even more harmonious look on the coffee table. Thanks to their infinitely varied designs, these coffee cups can be adapted to any interior style.
The Café au Lait Cup - Coffee with Milk Takes Centre Stage
The **café au lait cup**, with its shape and ample volume, allows café au lait (known simply as café au lait in France) to fully develop its aroma. Due to its high milk content, a café au lait cup requires a capacity of 350 ml to 400 ml. This coffee with milk consists of one part strong coffee, which makes up roughly the same proportion of coffee in the drink as espresso does in a cappuccino. However, the hot milk content in café au lait is approximately twice as high as in its Italian cousin, the cappuccino – that is, at least two parts milk.
In Italy, this coffee with milk is known as Caffé latte. Unlike a cappuccino, café au lait is not adorned with milk foam. The shape of the café au lait cup is very similar to that of the cappuccino cup; it widens towards the top. It also looks particularly good when presented on a saucer. Before preparing the café au lait, it’s ideal to pre-warm the thick-walled cup so that it stays warm for a long time – for a delicious, long-lasting coffee experience.
Which Material for Coffee Cups? Porcelain, Ceramic, or Glass?
Coffee cups are not only endlessly versatile in their shape and design. The material from which these drinking vessels are made is also incredibly diverse. The **history of the coffee cup** dates back to the Tang Dynasty from 618-906 AD in China, where porcelain originally came from.
According to tradition, the cup made its way to Europe via Portuguese traders around 1610 AD. Initially, **porcelain cups** were predominantly used for drinking tea, though this was reserved for the more affluent society. Only later was coffee also served in these **high-quality cups**. The first coffee houses emerged from 1645 in Venice, followed by Oxford in 1650, and London in 1652. In 1673, the first coffee house opened in Bremen. By 1675, coffee was known at the court of the Great Elector, but it wasn't until 1721 that the first coffee house opened its doors in Berlin. The poorer population mostly drank coffee substitutes.
In the following years, a coffee culture already began to develop across all social strata. On Sundays and holidays, coffee was served – in the **best coffee crockery** one possessed. Later, the afternoon custom of drinking coffee became established. In affluent households, coffee was drunk from porcelain cups in earlier years, while in poorer strata, coffee crockery made from all sorts of ceramics, including porcelain, stoneware, and earthenware, was used.
Porcelain Coffee Cups
**Porcelain coffee cups** are still considered particularly elegant today. Porcelain cups appear elegant due to their translucent appearance. Porcelain coffee cups are predominantly **made in white**. However, they can also be produced in many other colours. The highest quality of all porcelain types is **Premium Bone Porcelain**, also known as bone china. Bone china allows light to shine through well and is produced using an elaborate process. Porcelain is produced from white kaolin clay and fired at over 1,300°C.
Porcelain coffee cups are **very durable** and can **retain heat optimally**. As a rule, they are dishwasher safe. However, some porcelain cups, such as those with gold rims, should preferably be hand-washed. Porcelain cups suit any interior style, but they look especially good in a classic setting.
Coffee Cups made from Ceramic, Earthenware, or Stoneware
Ceramic, or more specifically, earthenware and stoneware, are other very popular materials for coffee cups. Strictly speaking, porcelain also belongs to ceramics. Stoneware was already produced over 1000 years ago in China and Japan. Around 1300, it emerged in Siegburg, Germany. Earthenware, on the other hand, was only invented in the 18th century in England. Stoneware is hardened at over 1,200°C, while earthenware uses lower temperatures. Both materials require an additional glaze for watertightness. Due to its high-grade processing, stoneware exhibits greater robustness and quality, but porcelain remains the highest quality and most robust material.
Both stoneware and earthenware retain coffee temperature optimally and are perfectly suited for cleaning in the dishwasher. Earthenware cups, for example, harmonise perfectly in a flat or house furnished in a country-house style.
Glass Coffee Cups
Highly popular are also **glass coffee cups**. The transparent material is extremely well-suited for coffee beverages prepared in multiple layers. This way, the individual ingredients are clearly visible from the outside. The glass for these coffee cups is thicker than conventional glasses and specifically designed for high temperatures.
They are often produced with **double walls**, which helps to retain heat more effectively. The heat of the coffee cannot be directly transferred to your hands, preventing burns. Glass is hardened at 1,200°C, making these coffee glasses **very stable and scratch-resistant**. They are also dishwasher safe. Glass cups are an excellent choice for a modern interior design style.
What Else Should You Consider When Buying Coffee Cups?
As already described, when **buying coffee cups**, there are significant differences in size and shape, in addition to choosing the right cup and considering the various materials. Saucer or no saucer? With a handle or without? Should you buy a single coffee cup, or an entire coffee set if guests are coming?
Of course, you also need to decide on the design: Should the cups be plain, patterned, floral, artistic, or feature a slogan? Are the cups for everyday coffee or for a festive occasion? When buying cups, these are questions that can usually only be answered by yourself and depend on personal taste.
Coffee Cups - Buy Affordably from Kirmse Coffee Roastery
Whether a large or small coffee cup, a mug or jumbo mug, espresso cup, cappuccino cup, or café au lait cup – in our online shop, you'll find a splendid selection of coffee cups of all kinds and in many designs.
For the perfect coffee experience, we now also offer coffee cups featuring the Kirmse Coffee Roastery logo, which we had specially manufactured for our customers by Seltmann Weiden. To ensure the coffee aroma of your favourite coffee drink can develop optimally, we have coffee cups in classic coffee cup shapes such as the small coffee cup, the large coffee cup, the espresso cup, the cappuccino cup, and the mug – featuring our logo.
You'll naturally also find exclusive coffee makers in high-quality porcelain for the perfect coffee spread – happy browsing.