Coffee

If you think that giving specialty coffee cups and mugs as gourmet coffee gifts is boring, think again. They have indeed come a long way from their basic conventional use. The type of cups suitable for the type of gourmet coffee varies. While paper coffee cups are convenient for on the go individuals to kick start their day, they are never for specialty coffee drinkers as it impacts both the aroma as well the taste of the coffee.

The best cups for coffees are porcelain cups and when serving a great coffee, you should warm it up to ensure that the coffee temperature is maintained consistent to retain and lets it exude its full aroma. The shape of the coffee cups impacts the senses, namely smell, taste, sight and the ultimate level of consumption enjoyment. While the usual coffee mug does well for your premium coffee and cappuccinos, the tall glass of the latte gives more pleasure with the rainbow layers of milk that mixes with it.

For almost every type of specialty coffee, there is at least a few specialty coffee mugs specifically designed for them to be served in. Take for instance the Irish coffee mug, which are made of heavy clear glass with a footed bottom and taller than your conventional brew of the day mugs. As different as they are, the espresso cups are dainty, petite little cups with little saucers often only containing about 3 oz of the brew.

Not to forget the very functional travel mugs which are essentially made of stainless steel, and insulated to help you keep your coffee warm. Almost every other coffee drinker would either own one or more travel mug, even when all the travelling they do are from the coffee pantry to their workstation. The main reasons being that the travel mugs double up as personal coffee mugs with their very convenient handles, their ability to keep the brew warm as well as their sipper gadgets.

Indeed, to the non coffee drinker, a coffee mug is just another cup. But to the coffee connoisseur, it makes all the differences. I am very sure they would be totally appalled if you use a bowl like cappuccino mug for your Irish coffee. Always know your coffee and their matching mugs thoroughly, especially when serving that coffee connoisseur boss of yours. They make even better gourmet coffee gifts too.

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Author: Sarah Osborne
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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A mug is a mug. Right? Wrong. At least not if you’re a coffee drinker. Some people have a favorite mug that they drink out of daily. In fact is may be so used that it is permanently stained with coffee. Then there are the specialty coffee cups or mugs. The ones that are used to serve the fancier coffee drinks in, like the Irish coffee mug or cappuccino mug. Each mug has its own special use which is determined by what it is being used for or who is using it.

Basic Coffee Cups

These are the ordinary coffee cups that usually come with dinnerware sets. Most people get a set when they first get married. They typically aren’t fancy or insulated but they do hold a cup of coffee. Most come with a matching saucer, if they were part of a dinnerware set.

Designs and Collector Mugs

These are similar to the coffee mugs that come in dinnerware sets except they are usually purchased individually. They can have pictures, designs, artwork and more on them. Almost all tourist locations have coffee mugs with their city or location on them.

Advertisements often appear on these type coffee cups as well. Companies order them logoed to use a client give always in order to keep their name in front of your eyes.

Collector mugs can also come in odd sizes and shapes. There are mugs shaped like mouse ears from Florida or like golf balls from the local golf resort. Coffee mug makers have unlimited imaginations it seems.

Serious coffee mug collectors don’t even drink coffee from their mugs; they put them on display and never use them. Military themed coffee mugs are one example of a collectible coffee mug.

Specialty Coffee Mugs

There are some coffee mugs that are made especially for the type of coffee drink that is being served in them.

The Irish coffee mug is used to serve Irish coffee or other after dinner drink that is coffee based. These mugs are usually quite elegant, made of a heavy glass. They are often taller than traditional mugs and have a more slender design with a footed bottom.

Cappuccino mugs almost look like large bowls with handles on them. The size of the cappuccino mug is part of the signature experience of enjoying a good cappuccino after dinner. Cappuccino mugs often have matching saucers.

Espresso cups or demitasse cups are petite cups usually holding no more than 2-3 oz. of liquid. They also typically have matching saucers.

Travel mugs are used when you are on the go and want to carry your coffee with you. They are usually insulated to keep your coffee warm and often have a lid with a sipper section that opens and closes.

Many coffee travel mugs are stainless steel. These seem to be the most popular for traveling but on the downside they can’t be put in a microwave once you reach the office.

To the non-coffee drinker, the coffee mug may appear to be just another cup. But to the coffee drinker it can be as important as the coffee itself. From the plain white coffee mug to your favorite, well used ceramic mug that hold a quart coffee mugs, to some people, play an important part in the coffee drinking experience.

Sharon V Chapman writes on the joys of coffee and provides information on coffee mugs for Coffee Online – your online guide to everything coffee!

Author: Sharon V Chapman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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