How to choose the ideal coffee cup

The material of the coffee cup not only affects the taste and temperature of the coffee, but also determines the durability, aesthetics and user experience of the cup. Different materials have their own advantages and disadvantages, suitable for different drinking scenarios and personal preferences.

Ceramic cup – the best coffee cup for office and home use

Features:

Made of clay fired at high temperature, the surface is usually glazed, smooth and easy to clean.

Ceramic coffee cups have good heat preservation, especially ceramic cups with lids, which can keep the temperature of coffee for a long time.

It does not affect the flavor of coffee and is suitable for tasting boutique coffee.

The material is safe and will not release harmful substances.

It feels comfortable to touch and has a variety of appearances, suitable for home, office and coffee shops.

But it is relatively heavy, inconvenient to carry and fragile.

Glass cup – the first choice for those who pursue transparent beauty

Features:

Transparent material, can clearly observe the color of coffee, latte art and layered coffee drinks (such as latte, cappuccino).

Glass coffee cups are usually made of heat-resistant glass, can withstand high temperatures, easy to clean, and does not leave odor.

However, it has poor heat preservation and coffee gets cold easily, so it is more suitable for iced coffee.

Stainless steel coffee cup – the most suitable material for take-out drinks

Features:

Usually double-layer vacuum structure, excellent heat preservation and cold preservation effect.

Durable and shatterproof, suitable for outdoor activities such as travel and commuting.

However, metal material may slightly affect the flavor of coffee.

Disposable coffee cup – the best choice for take-out drinks in beverage shops

1. Plastic coffee cup

(1) Polypropylene (PP) cup

Features: high temperature resistance (above 100℃), high hardness, microwaveable.

Environmental protection: recyclable, but it takes hundreds of years for natural degradation.

Common uses: convenience store hot drink cups, fast food restaurant beverage cups

(2) Polystyrene (PS) cup

Features: low cost, lightweight, but poor heat resistance (usually <70℃).

Environmental protection: difficult to recycle, incineration may release toxic gases, and many areas have banned it.

Common uses: cold drink cups, cheap disposable cups. The material has been eliminated.

(3) PET (polyethylene terephthalate) cup

Features: high transparency, commonly used for cold drink cups, general heat resistance (<60℃).

Environmental protection: recyclable, but high-temperature beverages can easily lead to the release of plasticizers.

2. Paper coffee cups

(1) The most commonly used PE coated paper cup

Structure: outer layer of pulp, inner layer of polyethylene plastic coating to achieve waterproof and leakproof effect.

Heat resistance: generally can withstand about 90℃, but high temperature may cause the plastic film to precipitate.

Environmental protection: PE film is difficult to degrade, and recycling requires special separation treatment.

(2) Plastic-free coated paper cups

Features: water-based coating or natural wax is used instead of PE film, which can be degraded in home composting.

Disadvantages: weak waterproofness, possible leakage, and high cost.