Those of us who are coffee lovers know that there are many variables that influence obtaining good coffee. In other posts we have already talked about how important the raw material is and, despite having described this aspect as a matter of taste, choosing one origin or another, or a certain blend, is true that it is essential for the enjoyment of our favourite drink, but not the only thing to consider.
In addition to the raw material, other types of factors such as grinding, the way of preparing the coffee (depending on the dose, the pressing or tamping, or the extraction time), as well as issues such as cleaning and maintenance of the coffee maker, the water used and the choice of the right glass or cup, constitute a whole gear of components that, properly assembled, give rise to the perfect coffee.
But how important is the cup or glass used?
Can the Chosen Container or Cup Interfere With the Flavor and Aroma of My Coffee?
The answer to the previous question is yes. The container does not play the role of a mere container. Aspects such as material, shape and size are important factors, to be taken into account, with a view to:
Serve Coffee With a Good Presentation
Part of the appeal of any food or drink is the way it is presented to us, and we already know that everything enters people's eyes. Although it may seem strange, knowing how to choose the right cup or glass allows us to enhance the colour and visual nuances of coffee. A good touch also contributes to our well-being and the set itself has a striking effect, an invitation to our senses to have coffee.
Enhance the Flavor and Aroma of Our Coffee
A poor choice of container can interfere with its organoleptic characteristics, which will mean that we do not get the most out of it.
Material of Coffee Cups
Using porcelain, ceramic, glass or plastic is not the same as using cardboard. The material is an important aspect because it directly influences the conservation of the coffee since it has a direct impact on its thermal stability. Using a good material is essential to fully enjoy our coffee capsules, as well as our whole coffee beans or ground.
The most used material is porcelain. It has the ability to lose heat at a much slower rate than other materials, keeping our drink at the appropriate temperature for much longer. This means that we can properly appreciate the scale of aromatic nuances and flavours. In addition, porcelain prevents us from burning ourselves when holding the cup, because among its properties is the quality of retaining heat inside.
It is a frequent fact, that we can see for ourselves when visiting a bar, a restaurant or a coffee shop, that the cups and glasses are stacked on top of the coffee pots. Do not think that it is something fortuitous, no; This is intended to take advantage of the heat that these machines give off to keep the containers hot and thus avoid that, in the process of thermal equilibrium that takes place when the drink is poured into the container, the coffee, which tends to cool down, loses as little as possible Of temperature.
Another material that is often used on a recurring basis is glass or transparent glass. It is usually used above all in coffee-based preparations, because they have the advantage of being transparent and, therefore, allow the different components of the preparation to be viewed. Thus, for example, it happens with lattes, where the contrast of layers and colours is exhibited. And it is also the case of the small cups, so popular and recognizable, where espresso coffees are served, as they make it possible to better appreciate the cream and emulsion of “straight” coffee, as well as coffees enriched with liqueurs or condensed milk. , the traditional chocolate.
The Size
In relation to the size, the height and diameter of the cup (or the glass) affect the flavour and aroma, and the geometry of the container is directly related to the conservation of temperature. Depending on the type of coffee, and depending on the amount of liquid that you want to hold, it will be more appropriate to use one size or another. In any case, the conservation of our drink must prevail and this will be given by the volume that it occupies.
If size matters, which container should I choose to serve my coffee? It is important to choose the right glass or cup according to the type of coffee. There are countless designs on the market, a wide range of possibilities. We mention some of them.
How Large Is a Cup of Coffee?
Porcelain mugs. Within the tableware made from porcelain we usually find cups of different sizes:
– The small cup, a classic, is used mainly to taste the espresso or, in its shorter version, the ristretto. It is always accompanied by a saucer and usually has a capacity of between 40-60 ml. It can present a straight, elliptical, conical or trumpet design, among others.
– The large cup is suitable for coffee mixed with milk, such as cappuccino or café latte. It usually has an approximate capacity of 150-200 ml.
The advantage of the cups is that they have a handle, which prevents us from burning ourselves when holding them.
Ceramic mugs. The most popular and established is the so-called mug type cup. It is the classic white ceramic coffee cup, cylindrical, tall (usually about 10 cm) and with a large volumetric capacity (about 330 ml). This type of cup is used for filter coffee, American style, or to serve coffee with milk.
Glasses, cups or jars of glass or crystal. These materials have the disadvantage that they lose heat more quickly, which is a point in favour of their use in summer when we avoid drinking hot coffee. That is why they are regularly used in this season of the year for cold coffee preparations.
As a point in its favour (we already pointed it out earlier) is that both glass and transparent glass allow us to see the inside of the drink and, therefore, we can better enjoy the spectacle of coffee: how that characteristic dense cream is formed, the emulsion of the resulting liquid and the different colours. Also in coffee-based cocktails, glass reveals all colours and textures. This, without a doubt, is attractive to consumers.
What Kinds of Containers Are There?
– The small glass. We have already mentioned him. Widespread, especially in bars. With a volume that does not usually exceed 80 ml. It is widely used to serve espresso coffees, and combined with liquor, such as the typical carajillo, the simple chocolate or brandy “tocado”, which is known as Belmonte coffee.
– The tall glass (or large glass or glass cups). Cylindrical, wide-mouth tube-type glasses are widely used in latte coffees and in all their colour and flavour variants. They have a great capacity and enhance the foam or cream. Cups are also widely used in this type of preparation. The variety of sizes is diverse.
– The glass or jar of Irish coffee. This container is shaped like a pitcher. Its capacity is intermediate between the glass and the large cup. It features a distinctive base and is designed to serve Irish coffee and other similar coffee recipes.
As you have seen, there is a wide variety of cups and glasses to choose from. If you are truly passionate about coffee and you like to fully appreciate the intensity of its flavour and all its aromas, choose the right cup as a container to taste it. Save the glass or glass cup to drink softer, tempered coffees and for coffee-based combinations.
