Have you ever wondered what is in a cup? Does it matter if you drink your espresso in a tea cup or should it just be in an espresso cup? Will it still taste the same?

The answer to the last question is probably yes, it will still taste the same and using an espresso cup probably won’t affect that. Unless, of course, you just don’t feel like you are drinking an espresso without one.

If you have ever wondered about espresso cups, they are miniature cups that hold about two ounces of espresso. They seem almost childlike in their size and many are just so cute when you see them nestled in the hands of any adult.

Despite the fact that I said the cup doesn’t matter, in reality it does to a certain extent. You can find espresso cups in a variety of materials but most of them have one thing in common; their shape. That’s right; almost all espresso cups are cylindrical in shape.

The reason for the shape generally comes down to getting the best cup of espresso that you can have. Cylindrical shaped cups tend to hold heat evenly so this means that your cup does not have cold spots in it that affect the overall espresso drinking experience. In addition, the shape gives you the best view of the foam and is believed to give you the best flavor.

When it comes to materials, you can purchase a variety of different types of espresso cups. There are:

Glass: You can find glass in a variety of shades from blue to clear. Usually, glass espresso cups have a chrome handle and lip and some feature little embellishments such as chrome feet on the bottom of the cup.

Ceramic: The traditional ceramic espresso cup can be found in plain ceramic of various colors or it can be as decorative and decadent as you can find. Some cups have beautiful paintings on their outer surface while other cups have gold trim and fine detailing.

Blue Stoneware: This isn’t as common as other types of materials but it provides an earthy atmosphere to your espresso drinking experience.

Stainless Steel: A choice that is becoming popular. Stainless steel espresso cups are often found with chrome handles.

Regardless of the material, it is important to think about how well the cup holds and releases heat. Stainless steel has become a popular choice since it holds heat much better than other materials. If you go with a glass or ceramic espresso cup, you should make sure that it is made with a double layer to hold the heat.

-Sirena Van Schaik