A coffee cup is a container, a cup, for serving coffee and coffee-based drinks. There are three major types: conventional cups used with saucers, mugs used without saucers, and disposable cups. Cups and mugs generally have a handle. Disposable paper cups used for take-out sometimes have fold-out handles, but are more often used with an insulating coffee cup sleeve.
Coffee cups and mugs may be made of glazed ceramic, porcelain, plastic, glass, insulated or uninsulated metal, and other materials. In the past, coffee cups have also been made of bone, clay, and wood. Disposable coffee cups may be made out of paper or polystyrene foam (often mistakenly called Styrofoam).
History
Coffee cups, along with other coffee ware, originated in the Middle East. In the 17th century coffee was consumed from small handle-less bowls, "Turkish cups". The cups were manufactured in Japan and China, frequently the same cups were intended for both coffee and tea. In Europe, Meissen porcelain cups appeared around 1710, with large exports of "Turkish cups" to Turkey in the 1730s. These cups were tall due to the habit of drinking the liquid layer at the top, with the preparation sediment left at the bottom. As the drip coffee, invented in France in the 18th century, gained popularity, the need for tall cups disappeared, so the Sèvres porcelain signature cups were short.
The porcelain handles apparently first appeared on the Meissen tall cups in the 1710s (some of the Oriental cups had handles, but these were made from silver). Handles became common by the 1730s.
Shapes and sizes
Espresso
The Italian Espresso National Institute recommends serving espresso in a white china cup holding 50−100 ml, usually served on a saucer. In the US, espresso cups are sometimes called demitasse cups. The espresso macchiato, made with a shot of espresso and a dash of steamed milk, is also served in a demitasse.
Cappuccino
The Italian Espresso National Institute recommends serving cappuccino in a china cup holding approximately 160 ml, usually served on a saucer.
Gibraltar or cortado
Some shops serve a cortado in a 4-ounce Libbey Gibraltar glass, calling the drink a Gibraltar.
Sini
Traditional Ethiopian cups are called sini. These are small, pottery or porcelain cups, slightly larger than a demitasse, used to serve coffee from a jebena.
Cafe drinkware
Cafes use various sizes of coffee cups to serve mochas, lattes, and other coffee drinks. They are typically 225, 336, 460 and sometimes 570 ml. These cups are made of porcelain and shaped to encourage and aid in creating latte art.
Shape innovation
NASA designed "Space Cups" for use by astronauts in the International Space Station. The specially-shaped coffee cups are 3D printed and are used by sucking the liquid out of a bag. The sharp inner corner of the Space Cup allows the liquid to flow toward the drinker's lips through capillary flow. Data from experiments conducted with Space Cups can be used to better the design of fluid systems used in space, such as toilets, oxygen, air conditioning, and water coolants. The data can also be applied to societal uses of fluid systems on Earth, such as improving the design of portable medical blood testers for infectious diseases.
Materials
Porcelain and ceramic
Porcelain and ceramic cups are widely used for coffee. Ceramic is sturdier and cheaper than porcelain, and retains heat better because it is thicker.
Paper
Paper cups are usually lined with wax or plastic to prevent leakage. A famous design of a paper coffee cup is the Anthora, which has become symbolic of New York City daily life.
Bamboo
Reusable bamboo coffee cups, promoted as a "natural" product, are made of powdered bamboo fibres suspended in a glue containing melamine and formaldehyde. The German consumer group Stiftung Warentest raised concerns that these substances constitute a health hazard when used for hot drinks. The cups are also not recyclable. The UK Food Standards Agency advised retailers in June 2023 to withdraw bamboo cups, making further sales unlawful.
Polystyrene
Polystyrene, sometimes known as styrofoam (not actually Styrofoam), is used mostly because of its insulating abilities.