Cups and glasses questions

[clairebbb]

Hi folks - more questions

My manager at the crapola cafe where I work is thankfully thinking about upgrading our cups and glasses. At the moment we have a pile of ugly and cheap-looking stackable cups that we use for flat whites, three different types of cappuccino cups, and some latte glasses that are just looking old. The stackable cups and some of the cappuccino cups are 250ml; the latte glasses and the rest of the capp cups are 220ml.

So, some questions:

1. What would be your advice re sizes? I gather that most coffee purists prefer smaller cups/glasses (e.g. more like 170-180ml), but I know that most of our customers prefer the 250ml cups when asked - and I did a bit of a google search and found basically the same thing. Would there be any point in getting two sizes: one 170ml and one 250ml? Is there a company that makes two sizes like that? Or should we just aim in the middle and go for 220ml everything?

2. Can anyone recommend a brand and/or supplier? Preferably wholesale, preferably not too expensive and it has to be one that isnt tied to a particular distributor such as Illy. We are in Melbourne.

I know that fancy cups and glasses do not great coffee make, but its a little thing that will help us look more professional.

Thanks in advance,

Claire

[rice]

Re: Cups and glasses questions

ACF & Nuova Point do cups in various shapes - bowl , tulip, wide bowl, tall tulip
There is an ebay seller who might be able to do a large amount. PM me if you want details. I know they come in ~160ml size, but dont know if there is a larger volume one for you to use. White and brown glaze are the two most common colours.

There is also Australian Fine Chine (AFC), Ive seen a couple of respectable cafes here in Melb using them for their capps. The volume must be around the 240ml mark. Only seen in white.

As to where to purchase from.. Chefs Hat in South Melbourne (opp the market) has AFC porcelainware and they offer you folks in the idustry a discounted price. Not sure how their bulk order discounts work...

Maybe contact a couple of roasters about the italian porcelain?

[muppet_man67]

Re: Cups and glasses questions

a company in melbourne called "hotel agencies" has supplied places that I have worked at with cups, saucers lattle glasses. the smaller cups cups will have people thinking that your tight. most people have no understanding of coffee to milk ratios. Im pretty sure they deliver and payment made via an account. good choice not to bother thinking about illy cups at $10 each unless a real lover of the brand and want to advertise that your selling the most expensive coffee money can buy.

[lucinda]

Re: Cups and glasses questions

So how are things going Claire??

[scoota_gal]

Re: Cups and glasses questions

Claire,

Coffeeparts.com have some glasses and cups. Their service is very good and they send orders out the day they receive them. Check out our other site sponsors who also might have cups.

My other suggestion is who supplies your cafe with all your consumables? Things like serviettes, takeaway cups etc? They also should supply crockery and cutlery as well, it would be worth checking them out.

Also, our mugs are supplied/purchased from the company we buy our beans from, you could look at asking your roaster about what they supply apart from beans.

[clairebbb]

Re: Cups and glasses questions

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!

Now I just have to hope that my boss will be prepared to bite the bullet and spend a few extra $$$ for once. I really think it will be worth it.

Things are going somewhat better now, we are getting a whole pile of new take-away customers we didnt have before, especially since we had a re-fit and moved the espresso machine to the front of the shop (it was at the back before, kind of hidden away). Still huge problems about overall inconsistencies and the other maker of coffee who doesnt like adjusting the grinder or changing the program settings... but Id better not dwell on that or it will turn into another 10-page rant.

I did my unofficial training thing with my friend and one of the first things he said was youre never going to make decent coffee with those beans (we use Coffex). So Im hoping one day we might get to use different beans and dont want to commit to that particular brand. Would really prefer our logo on the cups, or just plain, rather than some coffee companys anyway.

So yes, we have a few cups from them, plus a few hand-me-downs from the cafe we inherited the machine from, and most of our other stuff (napkins etc) comes from the same el cheapo company that supplies the stackable cups, which cost about 50c each, and look it too.

You can see why I am embarrassed about being in the company of proper baristas and people who know coffee! Oh well... baby steps I keep saying...

[scoota_gal]

Re: Cups and glasses questions

Things are looking up then, Claire!

Dont be embarrassed about whos company youre keeping! Its a pleasure to be able to help you out in your journey and glad to hear that things are improving, rather than going the less desirable way!

Evidently, your boss/manager is taking some notice as well as evident by the refit of the shop and the desire to improve the glassware.

Good luck!

[lucinda]

Re: Cups and glasses questions

Liike Scoota said, dont be embarrassed. We have all been where you are and nobody knows it all.
I for one enjoy hearing how things are improving - even by little bits.

It sounds to me like the Boss is taking notice of the difference/improvement in clientele and is starting to make the changes. The other worker, may find themselves out of a job if they are unwilling to change, especially if peopel start making comments on the difference in coffee made by the two of you.

[Presso]

Re: Cups and glasses questions

One tip I learn to renovate tired latte glasses was to soak them overnight in the dishwashing powder we used in the commercial machine, diluted only a little, the soupy mix was very slimy and made your hands feel like youd been slimed but the glasses and stainless gear came out a treat!

[lucinda]

Re: Cups and glasses questions

Even better is to mix a paste of bi carb soda with some dishwashing detergent and using a soft wet dishcloth give the glasses a good rub - you will be amazed at how much staining comes off and how rejuvenated the glasses will look.


Quicker than that is to sprinkle some bi carb onto the wet glass and giving it a good rub too. If the glasses are really bad I would suggest the paste method. Safer on your skin too.

[COFFEECHASER]

Re: Cups and glasses questions

I am sure what you are suggesting works a treat Presso but it may be an idea to wear gloves in that situation. The chemicals in dishwasher liquid/powder is not really designed for hands. Someone with more chemistry knowledge maybe able to provide some technical reasons but I think that slimy feeling when dealing with chemicals equals bad!
As I say I am sure it works very well just concerned about your skin and the skin of others who follow that advice without using gloves.

[scoota_gal]

Re: Cups and glasses questions

Good call, Coffeechaser. I should think too that using the rubber gloves will give you a better grip on those slimy glasses anyway!

[Beanmeister]

Re: Cups and glasses questions

Absolutely wear gloves, the slimy feeling was probably the outer layers of skin and hair dissolving because of the caustic nature of those type of "detergents". Thats how depilatory creams work too, by dissolving the hair with a base - best avoided if you have sensitive skin. Free advice from your friendly local chemist (NOT pharmacist!).

[COFFEECHASER]

Re: Cups and glasses questions

But than again who really needs skin and hair?

[scoota_gal]

Re: Cups and glasses questions

But than again who really needs skin and hair?

Well, it does help to keep all the messy stuff on the inside! ;D