Coffee is said to be consumed on a daily basis by 54% percent of the United States adult population. This staggering statistic means that more than half of the adult population needs some sort of mug or cup to drink their coffee in. Coffee mugs serve the purpose, and there are a wide variety of styles and materials to choose from.
There are many different materials used to manufacture coffee mugs and each has its following. Common materials used to make them include porcelain, stainless steel, plastic, and glass. Additionally, many shapes and sizes are made to fit the needs of the vast coffee drinking population. The size, material, and shape variables create a seemingly endless array of possibilities for coffee drinkers to choose from.
Porcelain mugs do a good job of holding heat, and can be beautifully decorated, making them a suitable choice for use in one's house with guests. This material is easy to break, however, and these cups generally do not come with tops to keep the coffee from spilling. When traveling or at work, people may want to consider using another type of mug.
Stainless steel and plastic are commonly used together to manufacture hybrid coffee mugs. A stainless steel outer cup lined with plastic is quite common. These mugs have the advantage of lids that sport a drinking spout or hole, making them spill and break-resistant. The lids also trap heat and some mugs of this type are insulated to maintain heat even longer. This type is normally referred to as a traveling cup.
The shape and size of the mug is also important. Most are no smaller than 12 ounces (354.8 ml), which is the size of a can of soda, and a standard serving size for beverages. Some are made to accommodate much larger amounts of coffee or tea, and many people drink several servings of coffee per day. Many mugs are available that 20 ounces (591.4 ml) or more.
The shapes of coffee mugs are also very diverse, from the traditional, to the jumbo mug, to the traveling cup, which resembles a tall drinking glass in size and shape. The fit of the handle of the mug should be comfortable for the user and should not create an awkward grip.
Regardless or size, shape or material, coffee mugs made today have the individual user's needs in mind. Whether someone is looking for the beauty of a finely made porcelain or glass mug or the durability of stainless steel and plastic, the needs of many millions of coffee drinkers are well-met.