Anyone who is passionate about drinking espresso knows that there are many types of cups you can drink it in. If you aren’t familiar with them, it is always a good idea to take the time to learn about each one.
Material wise, proper espresso cups come in three different types, ceramic, glass and stainless steel, with the first two perhaps the most common ones.
Common things to consider when choosing an espresso cup:
- how does the cup retain heat (you don’t want your brew to cool off too fast)
- Is it microwave and dishwasher safe?
- handle or no handle? If you opt for a version without a handle, then perhaps double walled option so the surface of the cup doesn’t become too hot for your hand.
- Size of the cup?
Double walled Espresso cups
One of the most popular types of espresso cups are double walled. Those two layers ensure that your espresso remains hot while you drink it. Double walled espresso cups are generally made of glass and come with a variety of shapes and with handles or without them. The current trend is glass espresso cups shaped like an egg.
What are espresso cups called?
The official name for espresso cups is the demitasse. These are the classic small white cups that almost every restaurant and coffee shop in the world uses to serve espresso. The origin of the word “demitasse” is French. It signifies “half cup”.
What is espresso cup size?
Demitasse refers to more than just the name of the cup. It also refers to the fact that its capacity is only two to three fluid ounces, while a typical coffee cup holds twice as much. In general, a demitasse cup stands no more than two or 2.5 inches tall. Any saucer that is packaged with this cup is generally no more than 4.5 inches wide.
Why are espresso cups so small?
The reason your espresso cups are so small is because of how concentrated it is. The way espresso is made means that it has a much stronger flavor to it than regular coffee does. Large quantities of espresso are not appealing to most coffee drinkers. It is traditionally served in cups that are roughly the same size as a shot glass.
Why are espresso cups thick?
Even though espresso cups are small they still need to be thick. This is because espresso is served at an extremely hot temperature. The cup must be thick enough that the espresso doesn’t cool off, as that negatively affects the taste and flavor of it.
Espresso cup vs cappuccino cup
Espresso and cappuccinos have distinct characteristics. The differences in these characteristics are the reason why we drink them out of different types of cups. The typical cappuccino cup holds between five and six ounces of liquids. Traditionally cappuccino cups also come with a handle. Cappuccino cups have narrow bottoms just like espresso cups do.
The small size of an espresso cup not only helps maintain the temperature of the drink but also cuts down on the amount of air the espresso is exposed to. The narrow bottom but wide rim of an espresso cup makes for a better presentation in a coffee shop or restaurant. It also helps maintain the robust flavor espresso is known for, resulting in a higher quality drink than you would get it any other type of cup.
