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The eternal search for the perfect drinking cup - Page 15

Postby zin1953 on Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:22 pm

Bob_McBob wrote:I have a few sets of ACF cups already . . . I'd probably get another set of the 6oz black cups if they weren't backordered.

Which begs the question, how many cups are enough? I mean, being a collector of, or example, the Illy artist series is one thing, but how many cups does one need? And -- a corollary -- presuming one discovers what is, for said individual, the "perfect espresso cup," what do you do with all those less-than-perfect extras?

At home, as I've probably mentioned above, I have six Elektra espresso cups, six Elektra cappuccino cups (make by Inker), and four Bodum Pavina 12-ounce latte cups (for those who enjoy coffee with their milk). I also have four (each) Frabrosk espresso and cappuccino stainless steel, double-walled cups that sit in the counter -- unused, now, for the most part.

In the office, I have two Inker-made Vivace logo desmitasse cups, two Bodum Pavina espresso cups, and two Bodum Pavina 9-ounce "cappuccino" cups.

In both locations, that's more than enough . . . .

How many cups are in "regular rotation" at your house?
A morning without coffee is sleep. -- Anon.
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Postby Bob_McBob on Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:34 pm

I have four espresso cups, four latte cups, and eight 6oz cappuccino cups. It's easy to go through all the espresso cups in a single session, and I only own latte cups to serve lattes to guests. The cappuccino cups get used quite a lot. In a typical day I'd use at least four of them, and if I have guests over I usually use more than eight. It's nice to not have to keep washing the cups as I use them.

I only really want more of the 6oz cups because I like the black colour a lot, and prefer to serve all drinks in the same colour cups. Not really for any particularly practical reason.

I ordered two sets of tulip cappuccino cups, and a set of tulip espresso cups. I don't really *need* them, but I'm interested in trying the shape, and there's no point in ordering only a couple of cups.
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Postby zin1953 on Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:55 pm

I hope I didn't sound like I was picking on you, Chris . . . I was asking the question of everyone.
A morning without coffee is sleep. -- Anon.
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Postby TimEggers on Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:37 pm

Having only scanned most of this thread, I've recently "discovered" the Inker Tina espresso cup (3oz I believe). I think its fantastic, I love the shape especially the lip of the cup. The diameter is nice also (slightly larger than my other tulip style cup) thus directing more of the aroma to my nose.

For the porcelain "tulip style" cup lovers out there the Inker Tina makes a nice addition to the collection: http://www.orphanespresso.com/Inker-TINA-High-Thermal-Cups_c_342.html
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Postby cannonfodder on Tue Aug 24, 2010 10:43 pm

I just recently picked up the first new cup I have gotten in some time. Tony over at Caffe Fresco has a potter that hand makes cups for him. He had the demi's in stock so I had to pick one up. Nice and rustic, hard to beat hand crafted. Ignore the dirty machine, after all, it does get used.

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Postby Bob_McBob on Fri Nov 19, 2010 5:19 pm

I tried the tulip cups for three months, and while I prefer the shape for drinking, I just switched back to my regular 6oz bowl cups for a few reasons:

1) My normal "cappuccino" is made with a double, and it comes out a bit strong in the smaller tulip cups.
2) While you can pour some very nice latte art in a tulip cup, I don't think it compares well to the huge rosettas and hearts you can get in a bowl-shaped cup.
3) Crema and microfoam don't mix the same way in a tulip cup, and latte art tends to emphasize the bitter crema taste on the first sip.
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Postby mitch236 on Tue Nov 23, 2010 9:59 pm

This thread just cost me $200! I was just wasting time while my kids watched Anastasia in our theater by cruising HB and came upon this thread. Read the whole thing and fell for the Artazza Cappuccino cup. I have no problem trying any cup that catches my eye and since I often make drinks for friends, having a variety of cups makes things more interesting.

Up to now though, I've been using Pasquini cappuccino cups I bought about 8 or 9 years ago. With all the cups I've gone through, it seems odd that I always revert back to the Pasquini.

Cups, like baskets are a quest that will never have an end!
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Postby miff2000 on Sat Nov 27, 2010 4:04 am

ld have to agree with that l dont have two cups the same in this house hold
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Postby JmanEspresso on Tue Nov 30, 2010 3:16 pm

For espresso, I do prefer tulips, though my first ever real espresso cup(aside from the shot glass I used for my first shots) was/is the Nouva Point Sorrento from Sweet Marias. A nice wide bowl with thick sides. Though I do prefer tulips, I use that cup almost every sesh.

For Cappuccino, Im less picky. I have more bowl shaped then tulips, but I like both. I personally don't drink capps a whole lot though.. Machiattos are my "milk drink".


Ive been wanting a set of Artazza cups forever, maybe this holiday season Ill grab some.


But the one cup I would love to have, but sadly doubt I will ever see(since I dont think its made anymore), is made by La Marzocco. Its bowl shaped, and the sides are thicker then any cup I have ever seen.. easily double the thickness of the "sorrento" cups from SMs. I believe there is a picture of one on Mark Prince's Flickr stream somewhere.
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Postby Bob_McBob on Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:20 am

Has anyone tried Intellientsia's Black Cat cappuccino cups? I've been wanting to try them for a while, but they've been out of stock for ages. They look quite interesting, but I'm not sure I want to drop $90 (shipped) for 4 right now.
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