Bilddatei Espressotassen by Holst Porzellan

Espresso Cups

Espresso is a coffee specialty that requires a specific type of coffee bean and a particular cup shape to be properly prepared and served. At Holst Porzellan, we have dedicated 10 different espresso cups to this Italian hot beverage.

Creating a "perfect espresso" is an art form requiring precision, passion, and professional machines. Finely and freshly ground Arabica or Robusta coffee is pressed through a portafilter using 95°C hot water at about 9 bars of pressure, producing the crema typical of an espresso in the cup. This is the theory and philosophy of a true barista.

Over the decades, espresso has adapted to local tastes in different countries, and most espressos consumed today neither come from portafilter machines nor are made with 9-bar pressure. Additionally, the roasting styles and blends of espresso beans vary significantly across European countries.

The requirements for a "good espresso cup," however, have remained relatively constant, emphasizing very specific and functional attributes. Decorations, colorful images, and prints such as "Espresso" have absolutely no impact on the suitability of an espresso cup.

The foremost requirement for a good espresso cup is the use of genuine porcelain, fired above 1,320°C and coated with a feldspar glaze that can withstand the pouring of a liquid heated to up to 95°C without damage or crazing and without discoloration from coffee oils, even after years of use.

The perfection of a true espresso cup is embodied by the pear-shaped Italiano Cup (IT 001), a design adopted by many brands. The thick porcelain body ensures thermal stability for the crema, while the inward-tapering shape and rounded bottom allow gentle coffee flow, binding the aromas and oils more effectively with the hot water. Espresso should sink slowly along the inner wall of the preheated cup without splashing. Ideally, no other cup shape would be necessary to enjoy the perfect espresso.

The "Classico" espresso cup translates this functionality and porcelain thickness into an apple-shaped design more suited to the taste profile of Central and Northern European coffee drinkers, while also accommodating other specialties such as Café Solo or Wiener Melange.

The "Palermo" espresso cup is slightly thinner and represents a highly Germanized variant based on typical hotel porcelain. It is especially popular in private settings, office catering, and with semi-professional machines like Saeco, DeLonghi, or Jura. We produce two Palermo models: a flared apple shape with an 80 ml capacity and a height of 5.2 cm, as well as an "Espresso-Alto" version offering the same capacity of 80 ml with a height of 7 cm.

The "Conform" espresso cup is a design-driven interpretation with a slightly reduced porcelain thickness, also accommodating Wiener Espresso, Turkish Mokka, and the Spanish Cortado. Conform offers three espresso cup sizes: the Espresso Piccolo with 0.06 l, the Espresso Classico with 0.10 l, and the tall "Alto" for Espresso Doppio with 0.15 l.

The "Catering" espresso cup caters to quick espresso enjoyment and offers numerous advantages for hosts thanks to its high stackability. This feature allows far more cups to be preheated on a machine compared to other cup types that can only be stacked sparingly, limiting heat transfer. Catering cups are very popular at rest stops, fast-food restaurants, and bar counters where espresso is consumed more quickly than intensely.

Espresso Cups

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