Buy the Best Thick-Walled & Italian Espresso Cups
Why should I even buy an espresso cup? Well, we think that if you place a high value on preparing espresso in a stylish way that maximizes enjoyment, you shouldn't make an exception when it comes to serving it!
For the flavor of a genuine Italian espresso to fully unfold, you need a cup with the right shape, made of high-quality, heat-retaining material. When it comes to espresso cups, a lot has changed over the years in terms of optimizing the drinking experience. Material, size, and shape all play an important role. On top of that, it should look modern and exude authentic Italian flair… that’s a lot to consider, but what exactly are the key factors for a “perfect” Italian espresso cup?
An Overview of All Espresso Cups
Porcelain—the ultimate heat retainer in thick-walled espresso cups
Originally produced in Chinese porcelain factories, this tableware has also found its way to Europe over the centuries. It is particularly prized in countries with a strong espresso culture—such as Italy. The reason for this is its excellent qualities when used as an espresso cup:
Porcelain is not only considered an excellent heat retainer; it also has another major advantage over materials like glass or metal—it doesn’t affect the taste of the espresso! Glass, for example, is said to give espresso a sour taste. However, opinions on this vary, which is why we also offer espresso glasses in our shop—but more on that later.
How big should an espresso cup be?
Generally speaking, an espresso cup should have a capacity of 40 ml to 90 ml. At this size, the approximately 25 ml of espresso still has enough room for a rich crema and/or some milk foam in an espresso macchiato. Since the milk foam is scooped up with a spoon and placed on top of the crema, an espresso macchiato therefore requires more space in the espresso cup.
The diameter of an espresso cup primarily affects the perception of aroma. A narrower diameter has proven to be best here: If it’s larger than 8 cm, the nose does have a bit more room, but the espresso’s crema spreads out—a nightmare for any espresso lover! For a double espresso, however, you’ll still need to use a larger cup, such as a small cappuccino cup.
For a double espresso, which is typically served in special espresso glasses, you'll need 50 ml of hot water; the cup and saucer can hold 90 ml of water when placed together.
Always look your best, thanks to Italian espresso cups
When it comes to the shape of espresso cups, a thick-walled design is particularly important. While thin porcelain may look delicate and elegant, it does not retain the heat of the espresso well and is therefore better suited for a cup collection displayed in a glass cabinet.
You’re definitely better off with thick-walled porcelain, which lets you enjoy your espresso without having to worry about the temperature. The so-called flute- and tulip-shaped cups are becoming increasingly popular. Flute-shaped espresso cups are taller than tulip-shaped ones and have a narrower diameter. Many of these cups also taper toward the bottom. Espresso cups with this shape are particularly well-suited if you’d like to enjoy a classic mocha from time to time. When drinking mocha, the coffee grounds settle at the bottom of the cup, so you only need to tilt it slightly to drink, preventing the grounds from flowing into your mouth.
Have you heard of the “crema bump”? No , unfortunately, it’s not a handy camel organ that provides us with top-notch crema whenever we need it. It’s actually a small, concave indentation at the bottom of the espresso cup that protrudes into the cup and helps stabilize the crema. Espresso Perfetto the best thick-walled espresso cups at Espresso Perfetto now!
A feast for the eyes!
Last but not least, modern espresso cups should, of course, be visually appealing. As we all know, tastes vary, and fortunately, the selection from different manufacturers is just as wide! While there are the shapes and sizes mentioned earlier that are generally recommended, the choice is ultimately up to you. Of course, all of our espresso cups come with matching saucers, so you can serve your espresso in style with a modern design—and pair it with a chic espresso spoon and our delicious cookies!
In our shop, you'll find every color, shape, and size you could possibly imagine for your ideal espresso cup. Do you have a favorite espresso brand? Then browse our selection of espresso cups from La Marzocco, Bezzera, ECM, Illy, Lucaffé, Rocket, Rancilio, Inpetto or from Espresso Perfetto and get inspired!
Have you also checked out our handy espresso cup sets? As we all know, you can't stand on one leg, so we've put together some of our favorite espresso cups in great set deals—there's something for everyone here!
Cappuccino cups are relatively short, measuring 5 to 7 cm in height, so they fit easily under espresso machines. Their diameter is comparatively large, at about 6 to 9 cm. This allows you to pour the frothed milk more slowly, so that you…
In our shop, you'll find sets of modern and classic espresso cups made in Italy.
With a diameter of up to 13 cm, you’ll have plenty of space for large, impressive latte art designs! Like all other cups used for coffee drinks, milk coffee cups should have thick walls whenever possible so that the drink doesn’t get too…