Your coffee drinking experience starts the moment you lay your hands on the cup. Even before you start sipping on your coffee, you hold the cup. Before the coffee reaches your lips or tongue, the cup touches your lips. This is the reason why the cup plays a crucial role in how much you enjoy your coffee.
The taste of the coffee is also impacted by the mug. This is because all materials have different properties and react differently with your coffee. There are other factors, apart from the material, that affect the taste. These include, age of the cup, how much it has been used, how long the coffee has been stored in it etc. Ceramic and glass are two great materials to use for drinking coffee. Porcelain is also an amazing alternative. At the same time, materials like single use plastic, Styrofoam can be harmful for your health as well as the environment.
Let’s dig deeper and understand what different materials are available and how they impact the taste. We will also look at some of the most frequently asked questions about coffee mugs and how they affect the taste.
Are stainless steel coffee mugs safe?
Yes, absolutely! Drinking from stainless steel surfaces is absolutely safe. They have a smooth surface that can be a better alternative to plastic cups. Also, you don’t have to be concerned about it being harmed or breaking due to the severe temperatures.
Stainless steel cups have numerous advantages. Some of them are listed below:
- Sustainability
Stainless steel is one of the most environmentally friendly materials for storing coffee and other beverages. Sustainability not only saves money but also protects the environment from unnecessary plastic. They’re usually made of chromium, one of the durable components used in stainless steel production. In the presence of oxygen, chromium helps to avoid scratches and even has rebuilding properties.
- Tolerant to high temperature
Stainless steel can comfortably withstand very high temperatures. Therefore, carrying or having your coffee from stainless steel is so much more convenient than using paper based or plastic cups.
- Maintains the temperature
Normally, hot beverages tend to cool down faster in stainless steel containers in comparison to ceramic mugs or containers. The good news is, a lot of stainless steel mugs come with an outer coating and even with a temperature control bag. This is why a lot of the stainless steel mugs in the market these days help in keeping the temperature of the liquid constant for hours. The outer surface does not condense and safely stores the liquid at the proper temperature.
- Easy to clean
Stainless steel mugs are simple to clean. Any of your dishwashing soap can be safely used to clean it. A lot of them are dishwasher safe as well. So your drink will be safe to store.
- Recycling is possible
Stainless steel is a material that is good for the environment and is a champion of recycling. A stainless steel mug’s components can be separated, recycled, and reused, making it the best option to choose from.
Does coffee taste different in different cups?
It might feel strange, but yes! Coffee mugs have an impact on the taste of the coffee you drink. Coffee contains several chemicals that can react with the surfaces of coffee mugs. The chemical reaction due to this substance makes it taste different. is the primary cause of difference in taste. Additionally, some of the materials used in coffee mugs might react with hot coffee, particularly the acid contained in medium-roasted coffee. The sort of coffee materials you use has a significant impact on the end result.
- Stainless steel cups: Coffee in steel cups tends to get cold at a faster rate. This process makes the coffee taste bitter. This is why a lot of people experience coffee’s metallic taste and smell in some of their metal cups. IF you are just pouring and drinking it hot out of a steel cup, there usually is just a slight metallic flavor to it. This is due to the reaction with the coffee’s 1000+ compounds.
- Paper Cups: Paper cups are notorious for adding aroma from the outside to the coffee. This is the reason these cups are not very popular apart from commercial use or for use at parties.
- Plastic cups: Plastic cups generally tend to absorb flavors and strong aroma of coffee. They may also release really unhealthy particles into your coffee. This not only impact the taste, but can be harmful for your health. Another drawback is that they tend to develop stains and patches. Avoid storing or consuming any hot beverage in the trendy, cool looking ones or disposable plastic cups.
- Ceramic: These are one of the most preferred cups to drink coffee from. They are believed to give coffee a more rounded and balanced flavor.
- Glass: A lot of people feel that cups made from glass make the coffee feel sweeter.
- Stoneware: This one is slightly stronger, heavy and expensive. However, coffee would not taste sour or metallic in it. Being thick, it also maintains temperature for slightly longer. You would get a more rounded flavor similar to ceramic.
- Styrofoam: There is a reason that this one is the end. These not only impact the taste of the coffee, but also add numerous unhealthy particles into the cup. Being able to maintain temperature for along time, they were earlier a very popular choice. But thankfully, the use of Styrofoam cups has now reduced as both of it’s drawbacks, viz, impact on health and impact on the environment are well known.
Why does coffee taste different in a thermos or travel mug?
As aforementioned, because of the materials used in them, different types of coffee cups alter the taste of coffee in different ways. some of the common reasons that might impact the taste are:
- Plastic travel coffee mugs: They absorb the aroma and flavor of the coffee they hold. They also tend to hold on to aromas from the drink they contained in the past. You must have noticed that old plastic mugs tend to smell weird. Cleaning them with baking soda and vinegar and rinsing them well can help a bit. However, eventually it gets impossible to get rid of the aroma.
- Thermos: When it comes to the thermos, it is one of the most convenient ways to store your coffee. It keeps coffee warm and safe for a more extended period. Also, thermos mugs are usually stainless steel or ceramic, which is the best material because it does not absorb flavor and keeps the coffee’s aroma and taste. However, storing coffee in a thermos for prolonged periods causes the coffee to turn acidic and sour.
- Rubber or silicone of the lid: Travel mugs usually have rubber or silicon in the lid. It is a task to thoroughly clean them. They also tend to absorb flavors or fragrance from the liquids that are poured in them.
- Travel mugs made from Stainless steel: They impart an acidic taste to the coffee if your coffee is stored for a long time in them. Also, they tend to retain certain aroma from the previous coffees or other drinks you poured in them.
- Change in temperature: Normally, when you drink fresh coffee at you home, it is at your desired temperature. While the thermos maintains the temperature, it is normally not the exact temperature you prefer. And we all know, coffee tastes different at different temperatures!
- Very high temperature: The process of degradation of coffee accelerates when the coffee is kept at very high temperature for long hours. The hotter the coffee, the faster the process. This is similar to letting your coffee constantly boil at a constant temperature. You know it will turn more acidic and sour. The same thing happens inside a thermos when the coffee is too hot. To lower the impact, allow the coffee to come at a comfortable temperature before you pour it into the thermos or travel mug. When it is slightly hotter than how you like it, pour it into the thermos.
- Freshness of your coffee: Coffee tastes best when consumed within first 20-30 minutes of being prepared. If it is let to sit for longer than 1 hour, there may be a slight change in taste. If it has been poured for over 4 hours, I normally discard it, unless it is cold brew. This is because coffee is acidic in nature and most types of hot brews tend to get more acidic when they are allowed to rest for long hours. So your coffee may be feeling off because it was supposed to be consumed within 30 minutes!
Can a metal cup change the taste of coffee?
Yes, metal cups do alter the taste of coffee. This is because they tend to react with some of the compounds present in coffee. This is normally accelerated at warmer temperatures. This is why you would notice a higher degree of difference in hot coffee when compared to cold coffees or cold brew coffees.
- Quality of metal: When it comes to metal cups, the quality of metal significantly affects the taste. Coffee may feel more bitter or strange if the quality of the metal is inferior. Better quality mugs do not impact the taste as much.
- Personal Taste or Preferences: For some people, metal touching on their lips or tongue feels different. So even when there is no difference in the taste, they may still feel it.
- Age of the cup: Sometimes, the top layer of the metal washes away. The underlying metal gets exposed. The exposed metal, when touches your lips or tongue, gives off a metallic taste.
- Smoothness of the surface: Sometimes, thermos and portable coffee mugs are slightly rough on the inside. If the surface is rough, the chances of the particles getting accumulated in them is higher. Thus, aroma is locked in the bottle or mug. On the contrary, if the inner walls are smooth, nothing stays on it, and consequently negligible to no aroma is locked in them. It is much easier to clean them. You coffee might not feel off in containers with smooth inner walls.
- Metal leaching: Metal sometimes leaches into your drink when the drink is stored in the thermos or travel mug for a long time. Leaching is accelerated when the drink stored is highly acidic, very hot, or the duration of storage is very long.
Does the color of the mug influence the coffee taste?
Yes, there is a direct correlation between the color of the mug and the taste of the coffee. As a result of the contrast between the colors of the mugs, the coffee’s sweetness is affected. The following are some of the colors of coffee mugs and the changes they can make.
- White coffee mugs
White is associated with bitterness in coffee. A common belief among many people is that white mugs make coffee taste bitter. This is because the color of a white cup makes coffee look and taste bolder, so coffee coming out of a lighter cup also seems bitter.
- Coffee mugs in red and blue
Colors in this range are associated with adding sweetness to the coffee. The brain understands the association between red and blue mug colors and sweet fruits, so it translates the association as sweetness when you drink your coffee in them.
- Brown coffee mugs
The colors of this hue are associated with strength. It is widely believed that people tend to think coffee tastes stronger when they drink it from a brown mug.
What color mug makes the coffee taste better?
Coffee mugs in red and blue colors enhance the flavor of the beverage. The colors red and blue are frequently linked with sweet fruits. According to studies, the brain associates red and blue with sweetness, so when we drink coffee in these cups, we often like the sweet flavor.
However, “better” may mean different things for different individuals. If you also like your coffee to be strong, brown and white can also enhance your coffee drinking experience.
What is the best material for a travel mug?
Two best materials for your travel mug are ceramic and glass on the inside. These do not absorb any aroma and can be easily cleaned. If these two are not available, stainless steel with smooth finish may work well. These mugs maintain the temperature as well as the aroma and taste of your coffee. The outside material would not make much of a difference as long as it is able to perform the primary task of keeping the temperature inside the mug stable. Additionally, the material should feel good when you touch it! It could be smooth or textured based on your personal preference.
Travel mugs with ceramic interiors and stainless steel or silicon exteriors are in vogue these days. You can find them online. Fellow Carter, Contigo and Wired have some really good options. You can also check out target and amazon for a wide variety of glass mugs.
How to select the right travel coffee mug?
The following factors may help you chose the right travel mug.
1. Size: A travel mug’s size is one of the most important factors to consider. You should select the appropriate size based on:
- How much coffee you consume in a day. This will save you time from having to refill the coffee constantly.
- The size of the cup holder in your car if you drink your coffee while driving. This will allow you to comfortable keep your travel mug in between sips. Unfortunately a lot of travel mugs are wider than the cup holder so you must be mindful while making the purchase.
- The size of the compartment in your bag or backpack is another factor that you must consider. Sometimes, if the cup is wider than the compartment, your bag does not hold the mug well. If it is the right size, the probability of spilling reduces.
2. Material: As aforementioned, some materials are better than others.
- glass
- ceramic
- stonewear
- stainless steel are great options.
You can expect the mugs to be of good quality and long-lasting. Rest you may buy based on your personal preference.
3. Type of lid: t’s possible to choose from the different types of lids depending on your preferences. For travel mugs, vacuum sealed lids and other tight-fitting lids work well. IT ensures that the rate of oxidation is slowed down. Additionally, it prevents spills and keeps coffee warm.
| Material | Pros | Cons | Taste of Coffee | Price Range in USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | -Does not absorb aroma -Easy to clean -Smooth material -Light in weight -Budget friendly -Amazing designs | -Can break easily | -Makes the coffee feel stronger | $3 to $15 |
| Glass | -Does not absorb aroma -Easy to clean -Smooth material | -Can break easily -Coffee cools down quicker in comparison to ceramic -Can sometimes be expensive | -Accentuates the sweetness in the coffee | $10 to $30 |
| Stoneware | -Stronger -Maintains temperature for longer -Amazing designs available | -Can chip and crack -Slightly expensive than ceramic | -Makes the coffee feel stronger | $10 to $200 |
| Stainless Steel | -Great for the environment and can be reused numerous times -Easy to clean -Does not normally react with coffee -Does not break easy | -Cannot maintain hot temperature for longer -Absorbs aroma after multiple uses | -Either there will be absolutely no impact on the coffee, or the coffee will feel metallic in taste. | $5-$100 |
| Plastic | -Cheap -Can be reused multiple times -Amazing designs available | -Plastic is not good for the environment -Can leak harmful plastic particles into the coffee | -Not much impact on the taste but does negatively impact the overall experience of having coffee. | $0.5-$20 |
| Paper cups | -Cheap -Can be customized -Can be recycled | -Cannot be reused, so there is some impact on the environment -Cannot maintain temperature of the drink for long -Uncomfortable to hold when the drink is too hot. | -Not much impact on the taste but does negatively impact the overall experience of having coffee. | $0.5-$20 |
| Styrofoam | Retains heat for longer, maintaining temperature of the drink Does not heat up on the outside when hot liquid is poured | -Leaks harmful substances into the coffee -Non-biodegradable -Bad for the environment | -Sometimes they make coffee taste cheap and weird | $0.5-$10 |
The bottom line
Selecting the right material and size of your coffee mug are truly essential. We have also seen that even the color of your mug can impact your coffee experience. This can impact the taste directly, or indirectly. It also has an environmental impact and we must contribute wherever we can.
I hope this article was helpful and you are able to select the right mug and have a delightful experience!
