These cups are my favorites. Well made, durable, the right capacity and enough handle room for an easy hold.
Positive Product Points
If you're looking for ample index finger room in a Cappuccino cup handle, this is the cup to get. Nice thick walls that hold temps well. Very colorful designs (artwork). Saeco name imprinted inside the cup makes a perfect fill-to mark for hot water when making Americanos.
Negative Product Points
Haven't found any.
Detailed Commentary
I purchased the 6 cup set which includes the Romeo, Juliet, Passionate, Sensuality, True Love and Citizens of Verano cups. For the price, this set just couldn't be beat IMO. The Euro has climbed in the past year and now these cups are $20 more than I paid for them in October 2003.
I make a lot of Americanos and this cup is perfect for a single shot of espresso & 4oz of water. I fill with hot water to the bottom edge of the Saeco logo (inside the cup) and then pull my shot to just above the top edge of the Saeco logo. Having a printed logo inside the cup at that point makes it very easy as a guide. That's also one thing I like about Illy Collection cups (don't own any yet).
The saucer is large enough for a spoon or biscotti and mates very well with the cup bottom. The saucer sports sort of a cursive written word "Collection" and then has a thin line that runs around the inside bottom. Both cup and saucer have "Saeco Collection" on the bottom with "Shirnding made in Germany" underneath.
I have (accidentally) dropped these cups from counter height, banged them around, washed in the dishwasher and (knock wood) have yet to have a single crack or chip. They are fine examples of tough porcelain cups. There has been no change in the cups color and they literally look as new as the day they came out of the box. By the way, I use these cups every day and am very happy with them. Even thinking of buying a few more for when I have more than 6 people to serve.
Here's some Saeco cup measurements (for the inquiring mind): Maximum capacity to the rim = 6.5oz Fill to the Saeco logo inside the cup = 4oz Cup weight = 236gms Cup height = 2.38" Cup width (rim) = 3.48" Cup handle inside width = .77" Cup handle inside height = .71" Saucer diameter = 5.8"
Buying Experience
Purchased from Coffee & Kitchen (www.coffee-makers-espresso-machines.com). Buying experience was uneventful (that's good), received follow-up emails confirming purchase and an email with the shipping info. The cups were well packaged (double boxed) and arrived in perfect condition. I'd buy from these folks again.
