When they aren’t, ceramic vessels – especially porcelain (also called china after the country it was first imported to the UK from) – can chip or smash easily. Bone china (a type of porcelain mixed with bone ash) is actually the strongest of the ceramics, although this strength tends to mean bone china cups are designed with thin walls that focus on elegance over utility. The same is true of the slightly less strong porcelain, and consequently, both bone china and porcelain cups can break more easily and have worse insulation if designed this way. Le Creuset is known for the various eye-catching colors its products come in, and this mug is no different with 20 color options to choose from. You’re bound to find a shade that matches your style or kitchen décor. The mug is also sold in sets of four. It's safe in the dishwasher and microwave as well as the oven if you to swap your coffee for a brownie in a mug. Likewise, despite all the insulative benefits certain materials provide, choosing a cup with a lid will make the single biggest difference in keeping your coffee hot or cold. Most cups meant for stationary use won’t come with a lid, while travel cups almost always do. What size and shape cup should I go for? In fact, you may take it for granted, but a well-designed mug can enhance the flavour of your coffee, keep it warm (or cold) for hours at a time and just be a pretty thing to look at, too. Plus, if you’re always sipping your coffee on the move, you’ll know the value of a leak-proof travel cup to avoid any nasty stains. For those cafe connoisseurs yet to be convinced that homemade coffee is just as delightful, purchasing a quality coffee cup will even help the environment. Most high street chains will give you a discount if you bring in your own reusable receptacle and help cut down on the nearly three billion disposable cups used each year in the UK. The mugs hold up to 13 ounces, which is plenty for a typical serving of coffee. The brand states that the double-walled glass improves insulation, but I found the coffee temperature similar to two ceramic mugs that I compared after one hour each. I was impressed that the handle didn't get hot, however, even after I reheated a cup in the microwave. So, if you're interested in the aesthetic that glass provides but worry about the common pitfalls of the material—e.g., durability and getting too hot to touch—Eparé passes these tests and more.

The mugs are 15 ounces each and only come in white ceramic, which makes it easier for the illustrations to pop. As expected, they are a little pricier than an average mug, but they aren't overly expensive, especially for such a fun, one-of-a-kind gift. The mugs themselves have a satisfying weight and a large, comfortable handle, which makes up for the price tag even more. One of our favorite touches is that users can preview the illustration before purchasing to know they will love it upon arrival. A demitasse cup is just another word for an espresso cup. The terms can be used interchangeably. In French, "demitasse" translates to "half cup." This might sound like a misnomer at first, as a demitasse only holds 2 to 3 ounces, but the translation is actually fitting because most coffee brands consider a cup to be 5 ounces.

We select the most stylish and insulative coffee cups for at home, work and on the go

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You may as well secure a whole set of these cups – after all, espresso is better with friends. And if you’re going to be juggling a handful of new mugs, it’s definitely worth thinking about how you’ll store them. It’s worth thinking carefully about what size cup you’d like. All these cups will comfortably hold two shots – but if you’re looking to enjoy a lungo, a cortado, or any similar kind of concoction, consider a cup with a little more capacity. We understand if you’re not completely clued up on the best materials, shapes and sizes for your own needs, so read on if that sounds like you and dive into our coffee cup buying guide. To get straight into our cup recommendations, scroll further down.A natural concern with glass mugs is that they might chip or break from the slightest bump. While no glass mug is completely break-proof, I found these Eparé mugs to be durable after testing them for 30 days. It's also safe to put them in the dishwasher and microwave, which isn’t always the case with glass drinkware, further indicating how well-constructed the mugs are. Additionally, the silhouette has a comfortable shape that makes it easy to hold and sip from. When shopping for the best espresso cups, there are a few key design elements you should pay close attention to. First and foremost? A tapered shape. While we did include a few straight-sided cups on our list, most professionals agree that the ideal shape for an espresso cup is one that’s slightly tapered at the base to help maximize the crema and increase the ease of sipping. Other things to consider are the general construction of your ideal cup; for instance, if you prefer drinking with a handle or without. This may be dictated by how well your cup handles heat or coldness – you won’t want to clasp a boiling hot cup – but for some, the handle is a crucial part of the drinking experience. Some of these options are insulated, and others are simply single-walled. If you’re looking to savor your shot over a period of time, definitely consider going for some type of insulation. This will not only keep your espresso piping hot – it will also protect your fingers from grasping a hot cup.

But optimal insulation of both hot and cold-brew coffees will be found on cups designed to withstand outdoor conditions, usually labelled as travel cups. These tend to hold greater volume, have secure lids so there are no spillages or major loss of heat or coldness, and are usually made from stainless steel. This is an impressively durable material that is dishwasher-safe and often part of a vacuum-insulated, double-walled travel offering, since steel on its own conducts heat well. However, some people report steel cups producing a metallic-tasting coffee after years of use, so if this is you it’s perhaps time to exchange your cup for another. An espresso is typically 1 oz, whilst a double shot is 2 oz. If you'll want to add sugar or a splash of milk to your espresso shot, you will want a cup which is at least 2 oz, ideally 3 oz. What is the best color for espresso cups? One of the first decisions you’ll come up against is which type of material to choose for your espresso cup. Ceramic and porcelain are among the most popular options, though glass vessels are increasing in popularity, especially among coffee connoisseurs that prefer a more modern look. Generally, double-walled borosilicate glass will give you the best heat retention, with ceramic and porcelain following close behind. Stainless steel is also a worthy option though, as mentioned, some pros prefer to avoid the material due to its ability to impact the flavor of a roast. An added bonus is that the cup is microwave-safe should your coffee go a little cold – and it probably will, since it was hot for only a little longer than a standard ceramic mug. Still, for the price, you can’t really complain about this environmentally sound option from Olpro. For natural homebodies and those working from home, a classic ceramic mug might be the natural choice. Most coffee cups are ceramic and provide decent heat retention, all while offering the fun of creative designs and colour schemes other more practical cups tend to forgo. They’re generally pretty affordable too, and when properly cared for, ceramic mugs – especially hardy, chip-resistant stoneware options – can have a life as long as any other material.If you’re not particularly smitten by any of these double-walled options, consider a stoneware or ceramic cup (such as the Le Creuset). This heavier material will offer some protection against heat transfer. Storage If the Palm tree design and tall cup style aren’t to your liking, there are a range of other Eleanor Bowmer mugs to browse through including fun, painted varieties and wider, shorter mugs. Sweese makes the set in three sizes: 2.5, 4, and 8 ounces. Our expert tested the 2.5-ounce espresso cups, but the larger ones may work better depending on the types of espresso drinks you want to brew. For example, the 8-ounce model is designed for cappuccinos. The cups and saucers come in seven color options, including a simple white and brighter colors like red and mint green. Key features – Size: 355ml; Materials: Rice grain husks, silicone; Dishwasher safe? Yes; Microwave safe? Yes

Bruntmor manufactures the set in interesting color options, ones that are especially fun and bright in comparison to the more neutral colors espresso sets are associated with. The cups are safe in the microwave and dishwasher. Our tester found their insulation to be above average, as the espresso shots stayed hot for more than 20 minutes, which leaves plenty of time to enjoy the few sips. A unique option in the espresso world, the Real Deal Steel Espresso Cups maintain drink temperature longer than most other options you can find. As the brand name suggests, the cups are made from high-grade stainless steel, which demonstrated better insulation than ceramic and glass in our testing process. The material also provides a more casual aesthetic: one that looks just as good in a cabin on a cold morning as in a home kitchen. Just how we test coffee cups is as intuitive as you might imagine – after all, sterile lab conditions are no match for proper daily use. We simply make up a brew and put it in each of our sample cups. From there, we assess in-hand weight and feel, as well as how well each cup insulates heat and protects your hands from burning. Other factors, such as price, size, materials, aesthetics, ability to be microwaved or cleaned in a dishwasher and effectiveness of the lid (if it has one) are also considered in each cup’s respective role – for instance, a travel coffee cup will demand different priorities compared to an at-home cup.It also has a handle with great support that traditional drinkers will enjoy, though you aren’t forced to use it since the double-walled and vacuum insulated cup design means the cup body stays at room temperature. Importantly, this insulation keeps your coffee hot (or cold) for longer than a standard mug – it was still enjoyably warm after five hours. Of the materials commonly used in drinkware, stainless steel is the best at keeping liquids hot for a long period of time. Unfortunately, stainless steel is more common for travel mugs and tumblers than traditional home mugs. As a result, ceramic mugs are the most popular for home use. They keep coffee hot longer than porcelain (which happens to be a type of ceramic), glass, and plastic. They can also be placed in the microwave, unlike stainless steel mugs. Latte cups tend to be short with wide openings, almost like a bowl. This allows the top layer of milk foam to spread more thinly across the drink. If a mug is too narrow, the milk foam ends up in a massive heap at the top and gets in the way of sipping the steamed milk and espresso. A wider cup also provides more space for latte art. Lattes are usually served in larger sizes than cappuccinos, so a standard latte cup is larger than a standard cappuccino cup.