I own a lot of espresso and cappuccino cups - over 1,400 at last count.
But there is one set that I've been using, almost consistently, for over 10 years now (in fact, this photo I'm using is one I took in 2001). It is my set of Saeco Aroma Romeo and Julliet Cappuccino Cups. I've long lost the saucers, but the cups have been on top of literally dozens of espresso machines I've tested, and they're sitting on top of my Speedster Espresso machine. Why?
Because these are fantastically designed espresso and cappuccino cups, and I've never come across another set that is designed quite like these ones. What makes them special? It's the handle - especially the one on the espresso cups. You can actually fit your finger through it! Not only that, but these are comfortable, solid cups. You never feel like you're going to drop them. But if you did, they'd probably stand the abuse: they are very high fired, thick porcelain. I've actually (accidentally) bounced one of them off a tile floor once with a 3 foot drop (don't try this at home).
I've probably had over 1,000 cappuccinos and maybe even twice more that americanos through these cups. They last forever. And they're beautiful (neither my photo nor 1st Line's photos do them justice). Saeco long since stopped making them, but 1st Line still has some in stock.
Column Description Whether it's up to the minute, happening this day, this week, or in the recent past, this column's goal is to present coffee and attempts to make the experience truly culinary. You'll find short reviews about past events, interesting coffees coming on the market, new and different ways to enjoy espresso and other brewing methods, and give an insight into efforts around the globe to make coffee a truly culinary thing. Column written by Mark Prince.
