Best Coffee Mugs to Keep Coffee Warm
Yeekai Lim, founder of Cognoscenti Coffee Roasters, a Los Angeles–based coffee shop, says ceramic cups can provide the weight that some look for or desire while drinking coffee. This, in turn, can bring a reassuring level of comfort and, therefore, higher perceived quality.
But the material can also affect the temperature of a brew. The more mass it has, the more heat it will absorb, eventually reaching a point of equilibrium where it’s able to retain enough heat to keep the coffee warmer for a longer period, says Lim—in which case, a thicker ceramic cup would fare better.
In a similar vein, Bean & Bean Coffee Roasters founder Jiyoon Han recommends mugs from the brand Acme for serving cappuccinos and lattes. Crafted from durable ceramic, these cups feature a wide mouth for optimal aroma appreciation and thick walls that retain heat, ensuring the ideal temperature, says Han.
Kaleena Teoh, co-founder of Coffee Project NY, prefers ceramic mugs for their texture and the ideal warmth that comes with holding a hot cup of coffee. When you compare glass, ceramic, and metal, chances are that ceramic options are better at heat retention, says Teoh. “Given the thickness of mugs made using those three materials, ceramic would probably be more comfortable to hold as well, given that the material doesn’t heat up as much as metal or glass when you pour hot liquid into the cup.”
Porcelain, a more dense and less porous type of ceramic, is another great option to consider. Han recommends the Lino coffee mug from NotNeutral. “Made from high-quality porcelain, it has a wide mouth to enhance aroma, a comfortable handle for a secure grip, and a modern design,” says Han.
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Glass mugs may be popular for aesthetic purposes. They’re usually a little more delicate and great for when you want to showcase the drink’s color and intensity, says Teoh. Their ability to retain heat is another plus, more specifically with the double-walled kind, where the space between the two layers of glass acts as an insulator. But while they may give off a refined look and feel, the material can also alter the perception of the coffee served.
Coffee brewed using thick paper filters by way of a Chemex will look quite lovely in a glass cup, says Latourell, while the same coffee brewed in a French press will appear slightly dirtier in the very same glass. Tasted blind, the coffees will differ in flavor because of their brew methods. “Yet, many people will be turned off by the murky French press coffee if they get a chance to see it clearly in the glass,” says Latourell, adding that they will most likely prefer it in a mug.
Interestingly enough, Lim has found that more expensive pour-over brews tend to be served in a glass carafe with a smaller glass cup, which can help dissipate the heat and reach optimal flavors more quickly.
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