Espresso Cups and The Materials They are Made From


Espresso cups come in quite a variety of designs and styles. We are going to cover the materials typically used to make espresso cups. Espresso and Demitasse cups are typically made from porcelain, glass or stainless steel.

Porcelain Espresso Cups

The traditional material for espresso cups is porcelain. Porcelain espresso cups are a ceramic and are strong, hardy and have a nice translucency. There are typically two types of porcelain cups: art or designer cups which are made to higher quality standards (but slight less durable) and Bar cups that are much more durable but are made to a lower quality. In 1992 Illy began making porcelain espresso cups with art designs where only all white or company logo cups were available previously.

In general the thicker the porcelain is the better. This is due to the fact that thinner porcelain will not hold heat as long as thicker porcelain. If you pre-heat your espresso cup before putting the espresso in it, your drink will stay hot for a longer period of time. The thin walled cups cool down quicker and this will cool your espresso faster as well.

Glass Espresso Cups

Glass and crystal cups are easy to manufacture and they have a naturally good look to them. You will find a lot of glass espresso cups that are double walled. The reason for this is to increase the thermal properties of the cup to keep your espresso hot longer. Glass espresso cups add artistic flair through their initial shapes and by etching designs directly on the glass.

Stainless Steel Espresso Cups

Stainless steel has a very modern appeal to is so it may fit your style and décor better than other materials. Stainless steel cups are most often polished to a mirror like finish but they can also be found with satin finishes. Stainless steel espresso cups are also made as double walled cups to improve upon their thermal properties.

Other materials

Espresso Cups are made from other materials but they are much less common.

If you are a traditionalist, porcelain espresso cups are the way to go. If you like the looks of glass or stainless steel cups then you are good to go with those. If you are into the art and collectability of demitasse cups then the porcelain designer espresso cups will fit your bill. Porcelain, glass or stainless steel, you won’t go wrong with any of these types of Demitasse cups.


Espresso Cups and Demitasse Cups Glossary


Here is a short glossary of terms commonly associated with espresso cups. I am sure that I am missing a few other important terms, but these are the core terms and should help you find what you are looking for. I could certainly go crazy and start adding an entry for all of the espresso based drinks out there, but I think I would go banana long before getting that list done! Enjoy…

    Bar Sets – Usually more rugged and durable construction with slightly less finishing details. Bar sets are often what you will be served with at your local restaurant.

    Cup tray – the tray where you place your espresso cup when you begin to brew

    Cup Warmer – the part of the espresso machine where you place the espresso cups to warm them prior to brewing the espresso.

    Demitasse – Another name for espresso cups. Typically 2-3 ounces in size.

    Demitasse Spoons – A demitasse or espresso spoon is smaller than a teaspoon.

    Designer Sets – These are the high quality porcelain cups that usually have a name brand designer’s artwork on them. Certain patterns have become very highly collectable.

    Dosage – The amount of coffee used to product an espresso

    Cappuccino Cup – These are very similar in style to espresso cups except that they are usually around 6 ounces in size.

    Espresso Cup Sets – The word sets refers to many groupings of espresso cup items. A set can refer to a cup and a saucer. Sets also refer to more than one pairs of cups and saucers. Sets can come in 2 pairs of cups and saucers up to 6 pairs of cups and saucers.

    Materials that espresso cups are made from

    • Glass Espresso Cups – a good choice in double walled construction that improves thermal properties

    • Porcelain Espresso Cups – the traditional material used to make espresso cups. The art or designer models have become very collectible.

    • Stainless Steel Espresso Cups – a good choice in double walled construction that improves thermal properties

    Pods – a self contained single serving of ground coffee. Often come in standard configuration called ECS (Easy Serve Espresso). Pods can also be found as “single serve coffee”.

    Thermal Insulated – Thermal Insulated is a term used to describe a cup that has been designed to aid in heat retention. The most common method of thermal insulating is the double walled designed used in glass and stainless steel espresso cups.