An excellent cup of coffee implies the union and harmony of different important elements. We would think that the flavor is the most important thing but this is only one of the variables that influence, and even the flavor could very probably be altered by not considering the importance of the rest of the elements.
Previously we have talked about the ambience of coffee shops or the strength and aroma of coffee. On this occasion, and thanks to #TheCoffeeShopPrompt of week 21, I got to thinking about the importance of the place where the coffee is served (the glassware), and how much this influences the enjoyment of the experience.
In my case, I can really drink coffee in any clean container that holds it, but, when it comes to enjoying a pleasant coffee shop experience, I have some demands. For example, plastic or cardboard cups are terrible when it comes to drinking this hot beverage, especially plastic cups. The coffee is then altered with an artificial and synthetic taste, and it is common to burn your hands or lips on such containers.
In the signature coffee shops I have visited, I have consumed coffee in glass containers. I can say that the taste on those occasions has been ideal, as the acidic or sweet notes of the roasted coffee are easily preserved. It is a 100% coffee flavor, and without alterations. However, I would like to add that it is not my favorite way of consuming this beverage, as I also enjoy seeing the cup I am using, how it looks, its shape, colors, if it has a characteristic impression of the place, if it is extravagant or ordinary.
In that sense, I really enjoy the taste of coffee in a porcelain or ceramic cup. When you take a cup of this style with your hands, you don't burn your fingertips, but you do feel a pleasant sensation of warmth. After the first sip, it is natural to appreciate the characteristics of the cup. I have been to some places that for me have been unforgettable, in part, because of the cups in which they served coffee.
I recently visited the café "Bruma & Taza". "Taza" means cup, in Spanish. That has been one of the best coffees I have discovered recently. I loved the taste, the temperature held up throughout the conversation, and I liked the coffee cup so much that I took a couple of photos of it. It was a ceramic mug, imperfect, a nice color, and it had the name of the coffee shop printed on it. It was a delicious coffee, I want to go back there so yes, definitely the glassware where the coffee is served influences a lot in its taste, and in the experience we live in the coffee shop.
All images in this post are my own, edited in Snapseed & CANVA. The content is also original and mine.