We love a good cup of coffee in the morning. But, did you know your coffee mug material impacts the flavor of your coffee and how you feel?
Your coffee mug can leach harmful chemicals and metals into your favorite drink. Yet, the safest material for drinkware, including coffee mugs, isn’t always straightforward among the many options out there.
From the die-hard black coffee drinker, to cool cappuccino connoisseur, you deserve the best for your caffeinated fancies. Which is why we created this quick guide to discovering the healthiest material for coffee mugs... so let's dig in!
Why What You Drink Out of Is Important
Grabbing a hot cup of to-go coffee on your way to work is a daily ritual for many of us. But, did you know that your takeaway cup lining is a thin layer of plastic? Your harmless styrofoam cup or disposable recycled paper cup is actually a plastic cup leaching toxins into your drink. (Eek! Not the safest material for coffee mugs).
In an effort to reduce waste, many of us buy reusable mugs without knowing the coffee mug material. Lead, microplastics, and melamine can be found in coffee mugs. These hazardous chemicals get released once they’re in contact with hot drinks. You can end up feeling lethargic, foggy-brained and inflamed. Studies reveal that small exposure to these chemicals can lead to serious health risks, including:
obesity
heart disease
type 2 diabetes & other metabolic disorders
developmental problems in children
Bottom line, your coffee mug material shouldn’t make you feel sick!
FUN FACT: Despite the name coffee “beans,” coffee is a fruit. They’re found in the center of a berry, known as a coffee cherry. So the coffee beans we brew and drink every day are the seeds of a small berry.
What Are the Safest Material for Coffee Mugs?
Let's start with --- what material are coffee mugs made out of?
Coffee has it's own language. "I want a shot in the dark." "Will that be a grande or venti?" "Make it a double flat white oat cortado."
Coffee drinks are highly personalized, and the cup that your brew is served in will actually have quite the impact on your coffee drinking experience. When determining the best material for coffee mugs, our criteria includes:
is it non-toxic (free of heavy metals, no harmful chemicals or plastics that can leach)
is it high performance (durable, washable, easy to use)
is it quality design (design that looks as good as it performs)
is it ecofriendly (sourced from natural material)
When it comes to the best material for coffee mugs (and tea mugs), it's especially important for your cup to withstand high temperatures without leaching toxins. Ceramic, stainless steel and glass are all excellent choices for hot beverages. So let's dive into the pros and cons of each.
Glass Coffee Mugs
Advantages of Glass Coffee Mugs
Glass is infinitely recyclable and made from natural minerals.
Glass is heat resistant and durable, and since glass is an inert material, it won’t react to acidic substances like coffee, or heat. The really good news is it won't leach harmful toxins into your beverages.
Also, glass is tolerant of temperature changes. In fact, borosilicate glass mugs are microwave safe and freezer safe. Glass won't stain, and you can put your glass coffee mug inside the dishwasher after work, making clean up easy.
If you're looking to enjoy the clarity of your brew, glass is the way to go -- making it a favorite among iced coffee drinkers.
To prevent water rings on your tabletop, look for double wall glass mugs. The double wall insulated glass design uses an air pocket to keep your beverages hot or cold and your hands safe from hot glass. (fyi - due to the double wall insulation, it's not advised to use them in the microwave.)
All these reasons make glass a top contender for the safest material for coffee mugs.
Disadvantages of Glass Coffee Mugs
We’ve all broken a glass (or two) in our lives. Glass mugs made from thin glass are more fragile and shatter if they're exposed to drastic temperature changes. However, borosilicate glass is lightweight, heat resistant up to 350 Fahrenheit and harder to chip or crack.
Know that bold and colorful glass mugs may carry lead or cadmium in the color glazes. This isn't always the case, so be sure to check that your glass is high quality and lead-free from where you bought it, if in doubt.
How to Choose the Right Size Coffee Mug
Most coffee mugs you’ll use for your classic coffees and lattes hold 8 to 15 ounces. If you’re in the mood for an espresso or cappuccino, there are smaller coffee mugs that hold 2 to 6 ounces of coffee. And, if you love lots of coffee, travel coffee mugs and tumblers can hold up to 20 ounces of dreamy caffeine.
Ceramic Coffee Mugs
Ceramic coffee mugs range from stoneware to porcelain materials. Stoneware mugs are timeless and thicker than your average ceramic mug, whereas porcelain is harder and smoother. Both stoneware and porcelain keep your coffee warm until the last drop, and both are made of similar natural material that's durable and easy to maintain.
Did you know?
The 'Coffee Sensorium' conducted a study on coffee drinking and found a link between color, shape, and coffee enjoyment. Both the color and shape of your mug can transform your coffee-drinking experience! For instance, a tulip-shaped cup can enhance the coffee aroma. Apparently, design is an important factor in the best mug material for coffee drinkers!
Advantages of Ceramic Coffee Mugs
Like glass, ceramic mugs originate from natural material and won’t react with coffee. They also don’t keep any flavors or aromas from your previous beverages. So you’re guaranteed a fresh and authentic cup of coffee every time. Ceramics are nonporous and stain-resistant, so your mugs will stay in pristine condition.
Stunning, handmade ceramic mugs use traditional techniques passed down through generations, using a potters wheel.
Ceramic mugs without glazes on the outer portion of the cup highlight the rich matte texture of the clay. Of all the options, ceramic is the best material for coffee mug if you want to add simple, versatile, unique colors and styles to your kitchen drinkware collections.
Disadvantages of Ceramic Coffee Mugs
Like glass, ceramic mugs conduct heat. Make sure your mug has either a handle or a thick silicone or cork band to protect your hands.
Some decorative ceramic mugs can carry toxic glazes that can leach into your coffee. Lead contamination is harmful to our health, even in small amounts. The best material for coffee mugs uses food-safe glass glazes that are free from heavy metals, such as lead.
You'll want to make sure the inside of your stoneware and ceramic mugs are glazed to make them nonporous. Whereas, porcelain is fired at higher temperatures (2400 degrees F) until vitrified, making it nonporous, without the need for glass glazing.
Remember that ceramics are somewhat brittle like glass, which means they are fragile and can chip. Make sure to use stoneware and porcelain mug sets with care. Lead glazes were once a common ingredient in pottery before the 1990s, so be wary of antique ceramic mugs.
Time to toss those antique coffee mugs
You'll want to avoid drinking out of older coffee mugs. Here's why... Pre-1990s, lead and cadmium glazes were common. If you move your fingers over the surface and feel a rise in the designs on your mug, this is a sign that your ceramic may carry a lead glaze... If it's not the safest material for coffee mugs, why keep it? Either toss them, or if your antique ceramic mugs hold sentimental value, use your mug as bookshelf decor or as a pen holder... Just remember, lead can be readily absorbed through the skin.
Stainless Steel Coffee Mugs
Stainless steel mugs are safe, durable, and popular for travel mugs and tumblers. They’re great if you’re an on-the-go person who needs their coffee to stay hot or ice cold for a long time. Stainless steel coffee cups are popular with outdoor enthusiasts and construction workers.
Advantages of Stainless Steel Coffee Mugs
Shatterproof and durable, stainless steel coffee mugs are perfect for camping and travel. Stainless steel is non-toxic, rust-free, and sanitary. Many stainless steel mugs are double vacuum insulated, so the exterior of your mug won’t feel hot on the outside. Just make sure you source from a reputable brand to avoid cheaper, knockoff stainless steel mug products that could contain traces of heavy metals.
If you’re a coffee drinker with a history of spilling coffee in your car, you're not alone. Stainless steel travel mugs have leak-proof lids. We think they're the best material for coffee mugs for long car journeys. You’ll also find eco-friendly mugs made from recycled stainless steel. So you’re helping out the environment, too.
Disadvantages of Stainless Steel Coffee Mugs
Stainless steel is great at conducting heat. So if you love scalding hot coffee, they aren't always the safest material for coffee mugs. You’ll need double (or triple) walled vacuum insulation to keep your hands safe. Also some stainless steel travel mugs come with plastic lids which can leach microplastics into your coffee. Opt for lids made from BPA- and BPS-free silicone, glass, or stainless steel -- or skip the lid.
You’ve heard people complain about the flavor of their coffee changing over time. Unfortunately, stainless steel mugs take on the flavor of previous beverages. So they’re not the best material for coffee mugs if you’re looking for a fresh cup of coffee.
They also tend to stain, so putting some elbow grease into kitchen cleanup is important when cleaning a stainless steel coffee mug.
Steel ceramic mugs combine the best of both worlds. Enjoy the amazing insulation of stainless steel and a ceramic interior that prevents flavor absorption. And say bye to metallic-tasting coffee.
How much caffeine is in 8 ounces of coffee?
Our Top Choice
for the best material for coffee mugs is ceramic
When it comes to the healthiest and safest material for coffee mugs, ceramics, like porcelain and stoneware, are our favs!
Remember, the best material for coffee mugs depends on your own personal needs, such as where and how you drink your coffee...
First, think about where you will be using your coffee mug. A glass mug wouldn’t be the best for driving to school or work, especially over speed bumps. Consider a ceramic cup that fits in a cup holder, with a lid and insulation belt.
Next, what are you planning to do? If you’re outside with the kids playing and running about, something breakable may not be best. Your porcelain mug getting knocked over can put a real damper on the mood. Consider a rugged stainless steel mug.
While each coffee mug material has its unique benefits and drawbacks, most importantly, your coffee drinking experience should be safe and non-toxic.
We hope you've found this post to be informative! Because we believe the best way to shop is mindfully and confidently. We invite you to explore our curated kitchenware collections here at Healthier Homes :)
FAQs
What kind of cup does coffee taste best in?
Ceramic is among the healthiest material for coffee mugs. It's a 10/10 when it comes to taste. As you enjoy your daily cup of coffee, the ceramic material doesn't absorb any flavors or impart flavors from drinks past. So your coffee always tastes fresh and smooth with every sip.
What mug material keeps coffee hot the longest?
We say go for insulated options. Both stainless steel mugs and double wall glass mugs are the best material for coffee mugs which retain heat.
Is porcelain or ceramic better for a coffee mug?
Both porcelain and ceramic mugs are great at retaining heat and won’t absorb any flavors from past drinks. The main difference is how they're made. Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures, making it more durable than glass and other ceramics such as stoneware. Porcelain also doesn't have glazing, because it's inherently non porous.
Do ceramic mugs leach chemicals?
Glass and ceramic mugs are inert, won’t react to heat or acidic liquids, and are among the healthiest drinkware options. Both materials do not leach chemicals, so you can enjoy your beverage – whether it be coffee, tea, hot cocoa, or a wintertime cocktail.
How do you know if a mug has lead in it?
The fastest way to know if your glass drinkware (including glass mugs) contain lead is to do the tap test. Simply tap a glass filled with water with a metal fork or spoon. If you hear a longer audible ring, there's lead in the glass and it shouldn't be used for eating or drinking. If it's a short dull sound, there's no lead present in the glass. The healthiest material for coffee mugs should always be lead and cadmium-free.
