Do porcelain cups lose heat too quickly?

[branjie]

Hi guys. I'm buying a couple of replacement parts for my coffee machine and have to admit I'm very tempted to buy a couple of new cups for my lattes prior to heading to the online checkout. I'm particularly tempted by the Bodum Pavina mugs, as they're 250mls, which is the volume of my usual latte. They are porcelain though (with a silicone band on the outside). Does porcelain lose heat quickly? I already have some double wall glass cups which I don't love as the shape isn't great to hold and drink from. I usually use standard latte glass. Would porcelain lose heat quicker?

Thanks!!!

[Erimus]

I always preheat, but If I'm using porcelain I always warm with boiling water from a separate source and stand a couple of minutes as they will cool down quick if you don't.
You can't beat bone china though.

[branjie]

O.K Brevillista Thanks!

[Yelta]

Porcelain and bone china pretty much the same thing.

Heavy china cups (ACF etc) will retain heat a lot better than fine china, as used in tea cups.

[chokkidog]

From the ACF Australia website:


"ACF CUPS The Italian Made Coffee Cup.

All ACF products are manufactured in Italy using only the highest quality feldspathic porcelain -
the fruit of decades of professional research. ACF cups are tested to withstand thermal shocks,
providing elevated anti-breaking indices.


THICKNESS Maintains coffee temperature and guarantees durability.

EGG-SHAPED BOTTOM Improves longevity of espresso’s crema, while exalting the aroma and flavor characteristics of the coffee."


and some points of interest here re porcelain, china and bone china, especially the technical differences from the excerpt at the bottom of the page:

Bone China, Fine China, Porcelain … What’s the difference? | TableQueen

[Yelta]

Interesting link Chokkidog.

Sadly I think ACF in Italy have gone belly up.

PS branjie may care to check the ACF Aust website, looks like thay are clearing stock @ 25% discount.

[branjie]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to check out that sale!

[chokkidog]

Interesting link Chokkidog.

Sadly I think ACF in Italy have gone belly up.

PS branjie may care to check the ACF Aust website, looks like thay are clearing stock @ 25% discount.

I think you're right Yelta......... as far as I know ...... two sons inherited the business and ran it into the ground by living it up on the company dollar.

The factory was (one of?) the main employers in a town in the Ligurian region of NW Italy. When the factory closed due to lack of operating capital, which was exacerbated by the 'GFC', the townsfolk petitioned the government to keep the factory going..... but to no avail. :-(

Following quote from https://www.beanscenemag.com.au/arti...-global-vision

"Centuries ago, the cups were originally made from deposits of high-quality white clay in Liguria, Italy. Rupert explains Ligurian merchants brought back the porcelain technology they had learned from Arab countries, who had in turn picked it up from their trade with China.
While the Ligurian clay deposits have long been exhausted, the factory is still located in the small northern Italian region of Liguria. The cups are the result of nearly 400 years of Italian experimentation and adaptation, and the resulting crafted ceramics are as functional as they are aesthetically pleasing."

[branjie]

I've been thinking about it and I reckon no matter what your cup is made of, if it's thick enough, and has a narrower diameter, you're probably going to be o.k. Those very wide cups look nice but the large surface area make them lose heat super fast. I learned that the hard way buying tea cups like that. I think I will get some of the Bodum Pavina mugs the next chance I get. They tick the (thickness & diameter) boxes for me

[blend52]

Wide top cups are better for Latte "art" work by both allowing easy access for the jug spout and a bigger "canvas" to work on.
also, if latte is your drink of choice, then the surface microfoam will keep the heat in anyway.

[branjie]

I am rubbish at latte art but good point. I'm going to go with the hot coffee over the pretty one at my place but do appreciate it if the barista takes the time to latte art my coffee when I'm at the cafe. My favourite is the swan. Microfoam keeping the heat in? Interesting.

[Rocky]

My favourite cafe just changed ownership, name, and coffee cups.
I got my coffee in a double-wall plastic cup/mug. Bigger than I like.
Unattractive looking thing on a slightly unstable plastic saucer.
Did seem to hold the heat however. Coffee was ordinary.
I often wonder how the various types of cup perform for heat retention.

[branjie]

I worry about the chemicals seeping out of plastic, plus plastic absorbs tastes and smells from previous drinks. Thats's why plastic would be my last choice. Shame about that cafe Rocky.

[oakesfolk]

Was in the market for some good Italian ceramic myself - sad to read Yelta and chokkidog's findings on ACF - not always good when the kids inherit the business! Did branjie find anything on-line???

[TC]

IPA have taken the baton up where ACF left off.