Coffee cups are sold in a wide range of sizes, shapes and materials. There are practical coffee containers made specifically for carrying hot beverages on the go as well as elegant cup and saucer designs ideal for serving specialty coffees at home dinner parties. Cylindrical, average sized ceramic coffee cups are the most common, but there are many other types including oversized, humorous, rounded, footed, latte, espresso, stainless steel, glass and travel varieties.
Travel coffee cups may be tall or short, but they always have a covered top. Most travel cups for coffee are designed to fit in cup holders inside vehicles. Most good quality coffee cup designs made for travel are stainless steel and have rubber-like trim to allow drinkers to have a firm grip on the cups. The trim also helps the coffee drinker avoid burning his or her hands on the cup.
Stainless steel coffee cups are also available in styles made for the home. Some of these are slightly rounded in design and made to stack vertically when not in use. This feature can help save space in a kitchen cabinet. Transparent glass coffee mugs or cups can offer an elegant look at a very low price. Clear glass cups have the added advantage of coordinating with any color and style of table ware.
Espresso and latte coffee cup styles usually have saucers as well as cups. Some people like to use these types of cups for serving hot chocolate; the stirring spoon can be placed on the saucer and the wide mouth design is ideal for adding whipped cream or marshmallows. Coffee and hot chocolate may also be blended together to form a mocha beverage.
Oversized or humorous types of coffee mugs are a popular gift item. For instance, an oversized mug may be filled with wrapped chocolate or candy to create a small gift. Humorous coffee cups can make great get well soon presents. Footed types of mugs for coffee are usually quite tall and elegant looking. Some coffee cup designs are rounded and may look more like tea cups.
Coffee cup sets are often packaged together in gift boxes of four or more mugs. Some coffee mug sets are sold with a wood or metal stand designed to sit on a counter top. Handle sizes and shapes vary widely in coffee cups. Coffee mug handle shapes may be round, oval, rectangular or square.