Espresso Cups
December 18, 2012
Espresso machines are great, and if you;re giving one as a gift, maybe you should grab an espresso cup or something to put that new latte in it. Here are a few ideas to help out.
- Bodum Pavina
(or any Bodum glass line) - these are made from lab glass, and are handblown. Your creation looks oh, so cool in it. The beverages float in the doubles walls. Dishwasher safe. Get the Espresso ones for an espresso lover and maybe the 12-ounce for the Latte variety. These are really my "go-to" cup/glass on a daily basis.
- "Espresso" Cups
- these are simple espresso cups that have "ESPRESSO" written across them in black and white. A fun design take on the espresso cup.
- Illy Art Cups - usually pretty stunning in their design, and often collected, these cups are designed by world renowned artists and issued annually. There are some less expensive and classic standard illy cups in their collection too. One of this year's art cups is shown above.
- Nespresso Cups for the Nespresso lover - If you have a Nespresso machine, and love the system, try their cups too. They currently have the clear glass ones available at the Nespresso Club.
September 10, 2012
Illy has a long tradition of offering limited editions of their espresso cups. Created by world renowned artists, these cups are made for avid fans and are not cheap. They are amazing to look at, and in the hand of an appreciative espresso drinker, they can make the experience more special.
This year, illy tapped France native Daniel Buren, who is well known for his use of stripes to redefine how the viewer's perspective can change the interpretation of space. His career has been in large scale installations that use both the space and art to transform temporarily in order to move his patrons to experience a different reality. This year's cup collection is released in tandem with Buren's installation "Monumenta 2012" at the Grand Palace in Paris. The installation uses transparent colored circles suspended above the floor to change the light coming through the glass ceiling, as well as mirrors and walls to engage the patrons as they walk through the space.
The cups and saucers are valuable for $225. The cups are classic illy, while the saucers use perspective and Buren's famous stripe to change how you experience the collection.
For more on buying the Buren Illy Cup Collection, and see a video of the Monumenta 2012 installation, go to the Daniel Buren Cup Colleciton Page at Illy.
January 27, 2012
I had to pick these up when I recently ordered the Kazaar limited edition capsules. I am really a day-in and day-out Livanto drinker, so I opted for something a little different and bronze/orange that goes with about nothing in my kitchen, except of course the Livanto capsules that are laying around.
I generally drink out of quick shot glasses like the Bodum Pavina glasses when drinking at home as a stand around the kitchen. If I am going to sit down, I opt for a more traditional cup and saucer. So these Pixie Espresso cups are all about a quick shot and walk away.
They are double walled stainless steel, with an amazingly lustrous interior. The design is of course taken from the Nespresso Capsule design, and mirrors the Ritual cup design as well.
So while the Pixie cup itself looks massive in size, but due to its double walled structure, it is actually small inside relative to its look and feel. It holds about 80 milliliters, or a bit over 2.5 ounces; perfect for a typical espresso shot. The combination of the size, and weight makes it feel substantial. They are in colors that match many of the Nespresso Grand Cru series, so you can probably get your favorite variety in its own cup color.
With all of the metal, does the Pixie Espresso Cups cool the espressos off too much? I don't think so, but then again, I am standing here and drinking a shot straight off the machine. If I do a second one, the shot is noticeably hotter indicating that the first shot gave up a bit of temperature to the cup. I don't think this is a problem, because it generally makes the shot drinkable right off the machine, or within a few seconds. If you wanted to serve up a bunch to friends, I would recommend pre-heating the glasses first.
Sure it's a splurge, but I like the Nespresso Pixie Espresso cups - you can find them in the Nespresso Store for $30 a pair.
At the Nespresso Club - Nespresso Pixie Double Walled Espresso Cups
December 19, 2011
The Bodum Pavina line is a pretty cool line of glasses and offers enough sizes to fit most any need. I like the espresso shot glasses, especially in the cooler months because the eespresso shot stays warmer longer in the double walled design. The glass is borosilicate glass that is mouth blown and dishwasher safe. While I have heard of some breaking, the tough laboratory style glass has never broken on me and I simply love the look. I have a set for espresso and a set of regular coffee/Lattes (15-ounce).
They are available in a wide variety of sizes - espresso (2.5 ounce), 8.5 ounce,12 ounce, 15 ounce and the super sized 21 ounce. They are also available in white porcelain with colored grips.
A couple of my favorites at Amazon - Bodum Pavina 2-1/2-Ounce Double-Wall Espresso
, Bodum Pavina Double Wall Glass, 12-Ounce
December 7, 2011
Here are some fun Espresso Cups from Konitz that reminds me of a fun espresso cafe. They jump out a bit more than a plain white espresso cup, but they look more fun than over the top.
So, while the We'll see how they shape up versus Bodum Pavina Double Walled Espresso glasses are still my favorites, these from Konitz would fit in nicely in my kitchen.
Dishwasher and microwavable safe - capacity 3-ounces
at Amazon - Konitz Espresso Writing 3-Ounce Cups and Saucers, Set of 4, Black/White
also with the same design as Latte Cups - Konitz Café Latte Writing 12-Ounce Cups, Set of 4, Black,White
December 5, 2011
Illy has an iconic espresso cup design and uses it to show off some wonderful artistic creations each year. Illy invites artists from around the world to reinterpret the espresso cup, with various painted versions. This year, artist Francesco Clemente, the Italian born contemporary artist created several different cups for the collection that include colorful explosions to brighten your day.
These Illy Collection Cups are available in a collection of six espresso or six cappuccino cups for $150 and $175, respectively.
At Illy - Francesco Clemente Illy Collection Cups
November 30, 2011
These demitasse cups are 4-ounce wonders for the space starved. This set of four cups stack in a wire rack along with the saucers to form a neat little bundle that is about 9 inches high and a little over 5 inches at the base. Not bad for a set of four.
For those folks who are space starved, this seems like a good idea.
At Amazon Stackable Demitasse Cups (Also available - 7 ounce Stackable Cups)
August 22, 2011
Bodum Pavina Porcelain 13.5 ounce glasses with silicone grips
Have you seen these yet? They are all over the coffee shops and stores from high end to Target. I had to pass them along as they seem like the perfect way to enjoy coffee while welcoming a sunny day.
The ones above are 13.5-ounce glasses,
perfect for an iced Americano, while they also have, Porcelain 8-Ounce cups,
and Porcelain 2-1/2-Ounce Espresso Cups
too.
June 20, 2011
Ok, the it's time to hang outside, enjoy the sunny weather and these latte glasses caught my eye over at Illy. Nothing says hang out at the cafe like a tall latte glass in a stylin' chrome glass holder like this.
Available at Illy Latte Glasses
While you are over there - check out the arts collection for their commissioned espresso cup designs that are created by some of the hottest artists in the world. They have rare espresso cup collections (almost sold out collections) and the latest Tobias Rehberger collection.
December 21, 2010
If you are looking for an inexpensive set of espresso cups, these might just fit the need. They are back in stock and still available for gifting at Christmas if you choose one or two day shipping. (They were backordered with an expected arrival date AFTER the new year; glad to see them back, as I just ordered some for a friend.)
They are simple white porcelain and are 2-ounces making them a great espresso cup. You can spend a lot more for an espresso cup, but sometimes inexpensive is a great place to be. We'll see how they shape up versus my favorite Bodum Pavina Double Walled Espresso glasses when they show up, but for everyday espressos, I think they'll be great. The set of 4 cups and saucers are only $12.
Dishwasher and microwavable safe.
at Amazon -Konitz Coffee Bar Espresso 2-Ounce Cups and Saucers
November 18, 2010
This design struck me as fun if you are settling down for a small coffee on a weekend morning. The white ceramic cups are offset by the strikingly plain bamboo saucers and tray. I like the simplistic way that the saucers ft into the tray, allowing you to bring the whole serving set with you out on the deck or in front of the fireplace; whichever the season allows.
Seen at the Made in Design site: Lexon Kooki for 2 Cup and Saucer set
November 11, 2010
This is one of the cooler espresso cups I have ever come across, the crushed Espresso cup from designer Rob Brandt. The cup is reminiscent of the ubiquitous plastic cup that gets served at all kinds of food service institutions, and then tossed in the trash, headed to a landfill. This version is ceramic, "pre-crushed" and ready for re-use with a quick wash.
In the UK at Made in Design - Rob Brandt Crushed Espresso Cup
November 1, 2010
A pretty good place to cruise through some amazing espresso cup designs is Etsy.com, the artist's storefront for all kinds of products. I recently came across this set of cups that happen to combine my passion for biking and my love of espresso. Hand printed on porcelain cups and saucers. Dishwasher safe and not very expensive.
More on the Bicycle Espresso Cups at Etsy
August 5, 2010
Bodum has a great set of double walled glasses and now they have a double walled porcelain cup set that has a colorful silicone grip - available in three sizes and eight colors. The double walled construction means that hot liquids stay hot without harming the table, while cold liquids stay cold without sweating and leaving water rings on the table. I love them for iced coffee, and for espressos.
Available in 3.4 ounce
for espresso, 6.8 ounce
for regular coffee and 11.8 ounce
for larger drinks
Don't Forget the Espresso Cups
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