8 November 2022
Hey Luv,
There are very few things that come close to a good cup of coffee! That gentle aroma as you bring your coffee cup or glass to your face, that first sip as you appreciate the flavor notes for the first time, that oh-so-satisfying mouthfeel, and that lingering aftertaste…
But what if your cup, mug, or glass prevented you from fully appreciating that exceptional specialty coffee? What if, on the other hand, it could improve the flavor of your coffee?
WHY IS A SPECIAL CUP REQUIRED FOR COFFEE?
The typical coffee mug is designed with one goal in mind: to be a safe option for serving generic hot liquids. In other words, we won’t get burned if we drink our favorite beverage. However, this has nothing to do with the vessel’s ability to enhance (or mask) the flavors of our coffee.
THE SCIENCE OF THE PERFECT COFFEE VESSEL
According to study after study, everything from the texture, size, and shape of a drinking vessel to its color influences the consumer’s perception of its flavor.
For example, a 2017 cross-cultural study on the shape-taste relationship between mugs and the coffee served in them discovered that test subjects tended to associate narrower mugs with more aromatics, shorter cups with bitter and intense coffees, and wider mugs with sweeter flavors.
WHAT CAN A GOOD COFFEE VESSEL DO?
So we know that the vessel influences the consumer’s experience. But, in the case of coffee, how exactly does that work? What effect do these variables have, and what kinds of drinking vessels should we look for?
When choosing a vessel, some of the many factors to consider include the following:
– The effect of the vessel’s shape on aroma, as measured by headspace and tilt angle
– The effect of the vessel’s shape on flavor perception via liquid surface area and heat retention- The impact of size on aroma via aromatic particle diffusion and headspace
– The material’s impact on temperature stability, comfort, and durability
VESSEL STYLE AND SIZE
Headspace may not be mentioned frequently in the average coffee shop, but we coffee lovers enjoy discussing aroma. And the two are inextricably linked.
Headspace is also related to tilting angle, which is the angle of the coffee when it is tilted to your lips for drinking. A steep angle of tilt brings the nose closer to the coffee. Without much headspace, for example, if the vessel was easily filled or if the vessel was too narrow, you’d have a steep tilt angle with little room for the aromatics of the coffee to be perceived.
However, narrow vessels are only sometimes a bad design – depending on the coffee you’re drinking, they may be a good choice.
MATERIAL
Ceramic, wood, paper, metal, plastic, glass… whatever material your drinking vessel is made of, it will directly impact the heat retention and temperature stability of coffee (as well as the cup’s durability).
So, what does this mean for you, the coffee enthusiast, barista, or café proprietor? Simply put, you have more control over your coffee tastes than you may realize.
Yes, you can experiment with extraction, changing the grind size, brew time, and other factors to bring out the best in a coffee. In addition, you can buy coffee with your preferred flavor profile, whether a sparkling East African natural or a balanced, fruity, spiced Central American.
However, you can also choose a drinking vessel that will allow you to enjoy every aspect that makes these coffees so delicious.
Our Help Her Focus Coffee mug ticks all the boxes. Get yours and make your “Coffee” Sessions the best by far!
Click here to place your order.
Yours in Business,
Jeanetta Cardine
