How To Pick the Perfect Coffee Mug

Speaking of consolation issue. For me, espresso merely tastes higher when it’s in my favourite mug: An outdated, chipped ceramic mug that has a thick, sturdy deal with and a navy blue drawing of a canine from a neighborhood espresso store with the similar title as my very own furry pal, Bixby. Although the weathered mug has seen its justifiable share of flat whites and will simply get replaced by the [dozens of] different mugs sitting in my cabinet in mint situation, this one feels nicer on my palate.

So: Is it my creativeness that the vessel through which espresso is served can have such a critical affect on its style?

According to journalists, baristas, and low professionals Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen of their new e book, But First, Coffee, maybe not. On the opposite, the espresso professional duo say there are many causes to curate a espresso mug assortment, simply as a sommelier may fill up on varietal-specific glassware. Michelman and Carlsen even go as far to say that selecting the good espresso mug is “no less important than any other step in the coffee-brewing process.” (We did it, Emotional Support Bixby Mug!) Still: How much is a matter of personal preference? Piping hot tea below.

Why the coffee mug you choose is as important as the beans you brew

Michelman and Carlsen firmly believe that enjoying a cuppa coffee goes far beyond the actual coffee in the cup. Aside from the sensory experience (taste, smell, and so on) of drinking coffee, the duo explain the ritual of how you sip your beverage plays an equally important role. “Our brains are the most marvelous things, fleshy supercomputers of remarkable complexity and precision, able to connect involuted concepts like ‘flavor’ and ‘deliciousness’ into something cohesive and memorable. But the flavor receptors in our tongue are also fallible and easily influenced by forces beyond proof of taste,” Michelman and Carlsen say.

“Mellifluous music, a sweet evening breeze, charming company—all these forces can and do make things like food and wine taste better. So it goes with coffee—our brains are influenced by everything around us at the moment of consumption.” —Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen, authors of But First, Coffee

Hence why the espresso specialists spend a number of time meticulously serious about which mugs they’ll use earlier than even brewing a cup. It’s about the complete expertise, Michelman and Carlsen argue. “Mellifluous music, a candy night breeze, charming firm—all these forces can and do make issues like meals and wine style higher. So it goes with espresso—our brains are influenced by every part round us at the second of consumption. This implies that when it comes time to choose a mug, the vessel you drink from issues an amazing deal.”

How to choose the good espresso mug

Unlike the generally-agreed guidelines of wine consuming (Chardonnays are finest when served in a conventional white wine glass with a narrower rim to assist focus the aromatics of the delicate grapes and protect the chilled temperatures—however I digress!), the good mug is a lot extra private.

Related Stories

That stated, why select one good mug, when you’ll be able to have many? “No coffee love can be truly satisfied by one mug alone,” Michelman and Carlsen clarify. But listed below are just a few methods you’ll be able to hone in on the good mug(s) to your assortment:

1. Pick up mugs wherever life takes you that assist foster emotions of nostalgia

One surefire option to “deepen your appreciation of coffee in your home,” is by constructing a group that’s particular to you. “We’ve thought about this a great deal because we’re mug lovers in a deep and abiding way, collectors of many a mug from our years of travel and study across the world of coffee,” Michelman and Carlsen say.

“A vintage mug emblazoned with your favorite cartoon character from childhood or a particularly memorable campaign from a beloved sports team can make for very happy drinking.” Everytime you are taking a sip from that cup, you’ll be extra inclined to affiliate it with a selected reminiscence. “It can help the coffee taste better, creating a ‘flavoristic’ experience with multiple dimensions and resonances,” they argue.

2. Choose mugs that promote self-care and self-love

Nothing says “radical self-care” in Michelman and Carlsen’s purview than a mug that always reminds you of how nice you might be. Case in level, this “empowering” mug accessible on Amazon for $20, that’s coated in constructive affirmations like “I trust myself” and “I am worthy,” can arguably make your morning espresso ritual an much more enlightening and mood-boosting expertise. “Research has shown that just looking at positive affirmations can improve mental alertness, clarity, and mood—and that’s before your first sip,” they are saying.

3. Support native companies

“Coffee and the ceramic arts have long been fruitful bosom buddies. Chances are there’s an artisan ceramist in your area making beautiful mugs for purchase. This is indeed a worthy investment,” Michelman and Carlsen say. This additionally applies to your native espresso store. “Many cafes sell the mugs they use for service, often displayed in a small selection of merchandise alongside things like whole bean coffee and tote bags.” Not on the market? The espresso specialists share a professional tip: examine the backside of the mug. “Take note of the make and model for further inquiry.” Genius.

But First, Coffee is by Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen © 2023. Published by Union Square & Co. Photography © Zachary Carlsen

An RD shares the advantages of consuming espresso: