Finding the Perfect Mug

This week we took you to Amphora pottery to check out making a perfect pottery mug for dear old Dad. It got me to thinking, what makes for the perfect coffee mug?

What do you look for in a coffee mug? Is it size? Do you like the traditional 10-12 oz. mugs? or are you more apt to pick out one of the super-sized models, so you can get in more coffee in a quick fashion? Is it what the mug is made of? Heat retention? As you can see, it's really up to the individual user. But, with a little research I did turn up a couple quick "perfect" mug suggestions that you might like to keep in mind.

Pretty much every source we looked to said that stainless steel is the way to go when it comes to a travel mug. They retain the heat of your coffee best, ensuring you have a warm sip, not a cold surprise. They come in numerous shapes and sizes, so you can find one that best suits your hand. Quick tip, make sure to look at the base. Why? You want to ensure it fits into your cup holders in your car!

You can even get personalized travel mugs. Several online outlets offer photo-customized stainless steel travel mugs. Do a quick search on that phrase and see what you find.

Well respected coffee forum site talkaboutcoffee.com, as well as several others, suggest you go for porcelain mugs for at home/at work consumption. According to the site, "Because it’s not porous, it holds the warmth for longer which preserves the flavor."

The site also says to avoid "plastic, paper, and Styrofoam cups – each of these cups can add the flavor of their materials to your cup of coffee, altering the taste."

According to this article, German physicists believe they've developed the perfect coffee mug. What do you think?

Final tip: A clean mug is a better mug! Coffee residue is not just unsightly and mildly unsanitary. It also affects the flavor of your morning brew! Coffee oils can adhere to the cup, and without a good scrubbing they'll alter the flavor of your next cup, and the next one, and the next one!

Have a great morning and enjoy that coffee!