Preferred Shape and Size of Espresso Cup

[jffhn]

Can anyone comment on their preference for shape and size of espresso cup? I have used a 3-3.5 oz. cup (somewhat squat, wider than it is tall) for many years. It gives me a good slurp and seems to open up the aroma better than, say, an Illy style demitasse. If this thread seems a little strange, just take a look at the various shapes and sizes of wine glasses available for oenophiles.

[cannonfodder]

I like the Illy style cups for singles and ristrettos. The smaller diameter seams to hold the diminutive shots crema better. For doubles I go back and forth between the Illy style and the slightly shorter but wider Sorrento cups. I do not have any of the Tulip style cups but the narrower bottom with the larger flared top my hit the sweet spot. Sounds like I need to order another couple cups.

[jesawdy]

My current favorite cup, the Intelligentsia Winged 2 oz. demitasse....


The matching cappa cup is also very sweet.

I do not have any Illy cups yet, I have some Bodum Canteens (that I only use to hold something hot for awhile), some generic 3-3.5 ounce cups, similar in shape to Illy, a nice Ritzenhoff cup, and a few others.

[timo888]

I would like to find a Sorrento cup in pure white inside and out. Anyone know where they are made?

[cannonfodder]

My cups are Sorrento clones branded with Sweet Maria's and the espresso skunk. They are identical (i.e. probably made by Sorrento for them) and are white with the exception of the logo.

Sorrento White Espresso Cups

Milano espresso Cups

White Nuova Point Demitasse Espresso Cup

[timo888]

My cups are Sorrento clones branded with Sweet Maria's and the espresso skunk. They are identical (i.e. probably made by Sorrento for them) and are white with the exception of the logo.

Sorrento White Espresso Cups

Milano espresso Cups

White Nuova Point Demitasse Espresso Cup

Thanks! I thought Sorrento was the name SweetMaria's had given the cup. I have some cappa cups from Crate and Barrel from ten years ago, made in Poland, that are very similar to the Sorrento.

Regards
Timo

[CyclingCraig]

Are these the ones you are talking about: Espresso Parts Cups

I JUST (box sitting next to me as I type) got delivered the Tulip version of them (Nuova Point). I got the tulip versions because the Cappa cups I could only find in Tulip and I wanted my espresso cups to match my cappa's

-Craig

[cannonfodder]

I believe Sorrento is a model and the manufacturer is Nuova Point, but I could be wrong.

[timo888]

I believe Sorrento is a model and the manufacturer is Nuova Point, but I could be wrong.

I placed an order for a set. They look very nice, and appear to have a nice heft to them. Thanks for the lead. How did my wife know exactly what I wanted for Valentine's Day!
Regards
Timo

[HB]

Timo, the Nuovo Point are the heaviest demitasses in my collection and one of my favorites. At one time the white ones were hard to find, but now I see they're back on Amazon.com.

Can anyone comment on their preference for shape and size of espresso cup? I have used a 3-3.5 oz. cup (somewhat squat, wider than it is tall) for many years. It gives me a good slurp and seems to open up the aroma better than, say, an Illy style demitasse.

Thanks for starting this topic. Most of my demitasses are Illy style / shaped in the 1.5 to 2.0 ounce range. I usually reserve the 3 to 3.5 ounce cups for macchiatos, but this morning I'm trying the bigger demi for straight espresso. I suspect the cup size subconsciously influences the volume at which I pull the shot (i.e., pulling a double into a single Illy demitasse will by definition be a ristretto since its capacity at the lettering is ~1.5 ounces).

[Worldman]

As Dave (Canonfodder) said, the Sorrento demi cups are made by Nuova Point: http://www.nuovapoint.it/home/home2.htm, click "Cups" and "Sorrento".

These are my favorite espresso cups - though I like them in the brown color ("marone").

Len

[CGP4]

For "authentic" demitasses, you've got to go Italian! The four manufacturers I'm most aware of are IPA, ACF, Ancap and Nuova Point. The first three are significantly older (founded in the 1950's or so) than the last. Nuova Point sells direct, in addition to being carried by EPNW. ACF makes the La Marzocco cups Espresso Parts carries, while ESI carries the plain white version in sets of six. AFC's US distributor, Great Infusions, also sells direct. Italianissimo is the US distributor for Ancap, who made the Elektra and Intelligentsia cups people have liked in the past. I've yet to find a source for plain IPA cups, but they make the famous illy-logo'ed cups, widely available (but Chris Coffee sells them by the dozen) .

[Thwack]

I just got a set of the brown Sorrento cups today from Sweet Maria's. I wasn't sure if they were going to be Nuova Point brand or not, it didn't really say on SM's website.... but indeed they are.

One thing I really like about the shape of the Sorrento cups, as well as the LM logo cups from ACF is that they are wide enough to catch both streams from a double spout PF.

[peacecup]

I too really like both the Nuova Points and the IPAs. I've got an 2-oz IPA Parigi that is unique, and great for preserving crema. Good for older/darker roasts, and solos:

http://www.ipaporcellane.it/ingle...delli/parigi/1.htm

I really like the NP Sorrentos for fresher roasts. I've recently seen them in white at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/WHITE-ESPRESS...WD1VQQcmdZViewItem

They only sell in sets of six, and I can only use two at most - anyone want to go in on a set?

PC

[roblumba]

I've yet to find a source for plain IPA cups, but they make the famous illy-logo'ed cups, widely available

I just checked the bottom of my cups that were given to me as a gift from Tim OConnor at Pacific Espresso in Santa Cruz with the purchase of my La Marzocco GS3. It's a set of 6 IPA espresso cups w/ saucers and 6 IPA cappuccino cups with saucers. It has their logo printed on there, but it's very tastefully done with a nice thick colored stripe towards the top. Each cup has a different colored stripe. The cappuccino cups are 4 3/4 oz tulip shaped.

I'll post pics here later.

[zin1953]

Pre-1989 Loma Prietta earthquake, I used the Moka Sorrento and Moka Amalfi cups . . .



But after, I needed to find replacements and switched to Frabosk . . .

What can I say? They ARE earthquake-proof! Besides, for a time, I was told -- by every retailer I visited -- that the true Italian cups were no longer available, and all that I could find were cheap Chinese knockoffs. So I made the switch to stainless.

Cheers,
Jason

[roblumba]

Okay, every retailer where? In the SF Bay Area? Is that Macy's, Crate and Barrel and Sur La Table? Those of course are not very reliable sources.

The Italian companies such as Nuovo Point, ACF, IPA are saying that their cups are made in Italy. I would think they are not being deceptive about that.

[julioale]

I like the Danesi shape for espresso

I

[matthyx]

Personaly I really like the glass Nespresso cups with black resin saucers...

I really like the fact that George C. is using them to drink brown-colored water while I enjoy my Guatemala double in the same cup

[roadman]

I like the Danesi shape for espresso

Nice designs on your cups. Where did you find yours?

The only ones I've been able to rustle up are these.