CoffeeEspresso Cups 101 - a Complete Guide to Expresso Cups
Espressos are great, but you aren"t really enjoying good espressos if they aren"t in proper espresso cups. Also called demitasse cups, these tiny little mugs look as though they belong a Barbie Dreamhouse. Surprisingly, there"s a certain art to making a proper espresso cup, and when you go shopping for a new set there are some things that you may want to consider.
First of all, espresso cups are traditionally made out of porcelain. Typically, each cup has room for two or three ounces of beverage. Depending on whether or not you prefer a cream cap or sugar in your espresso, you may want to get slightly larger cups.
From old world Italy straight to your kitchen counter, porcelain cups can be plain or intricate, expensive or fairly affordable. If you"re a serious espresso drinker, you may want to consider investing in a designer set of espresso cups a saucers.
While there is a lot that can be said for an old world, traditional style of espresso cups, modern technology has its benefits as well. For example, there are many modern designs available on the market that feature double walled insulated glass. These cups keep your espresso hotter longer than their porcelain counterparts.
Whether you prefer traditional or new age modern technology, when you look for a set of espresso cups you should keep your eye on quality. True espresso drinkers know that even the best cup of espresso won"t be great unless it"s in an equally quality espresso cup. If it"s thin, not only is the cup prone to chipping (in which case you should immediately throw out the cup), but it also allows the heat to seep out. Nobody likes lukewarm espresso.
In terms of pricing, espresso cups pretty much run the gamut. You can find a fairly affordable (and decent) set for $35, but you can also easily blow a couple hundred dollars, too.