10 Best Coffee Mugs in India 2021 (Chumbak, Clay Craft, and more)

Let's take you through some of the best-recommended coffee mugs that'll alter your coffee drinking experience, for good.

Coffee drinkers tend to spend a lot of time searching for the best beans and brewing kit, but they often neglect the mug. Now, why put all the effort into brewing a perfect coffee when the mug reduces its flavour? 

Therefore, to have the best coffee drinking experience, it is important to choose your coffee mug wisely. Here are the factors that you need to consider before buying the best coffee mug in India.

Before deciding on the size and material of a coffee mug, it is important to think about the settings and circumstances where you intend to use your mug. You also need to take into consideration the type of beverage you'll be drinking in it.

For instance, if you drink your coffee on the go while driving to work or picking up your kids, you need a large travel mug with a lid that can fit into your car's cup holder. If you're looking for a mug to take while camping/outdoor activities, consider durability along with the size of the mug.

However, if you plan on using the mug at home, you would need a smaller one without any lid. The type of beverage you prepare also plays an important role in deciding the mug's size and material. If you tend to mix multiple ingredients in your coffee like milk, vanilla, ice, and cream, you might need a tall mug to prevent spilling while mixing. 

One of the prime considerations while choosing a mug is its size. The standard coffee cup holds around 230 to 350 cm of liquid. Large travel-size mugs may hold 700 to 1000 cm of coffee. If you tend to drink half and leave the rest while doing household chores, it is best to get a smaller 325 cm mug, so you can drink more freshly brewed coffee multiple times a day.

If you drink two-three cups of coffee a day, try an oversized mug that can hold 3-4 servings so, you don't have to refill again and again. If you drink iced coffee, you'll probably need a bigger mug to hold both the ice and the coffee. 

Another thing to consider regarding the size is that the larger the volume of coffee you fit in the mug, the slower the cooling process will be. So, if you like your drink hot, make sure you fill the mug up to the brim.

Right from how your coffee tastes to heat retention and cup's durability, everything depends on the material your coffee mug is made out of. Porcelain, stainless steel, plastic, glass, and ceramic are the most popular materials you'll find in the market.

Ceramic is a go-to material for most people because it is durable, doesn't retain smell or flavour, is microwave-safe, and can be easily put in the dishwasher. It is mostly used for coffee mugs that are intended to be used at home.

Porcelain is a type of ceramic, but it has thinner walls compared to ceramic and is generally translucent or opaque. They do retain heat well but are less durable and prone to smash if knocked or dropped. However, they are also microwave and dishwasher-safe and are ideal for everyday household use.

Another type of porcelain mugs that you'll commonly find in the market is made of bone china. It is composed of bone ash, feldspathic material, and kaolin (a type of clay). It is the strongest type of porcelain that's chip-resistant i.e., the material won't chip when washed. It also has a high level of translucency, making it a preferred choice for mugs and other dinnerware items.  

Stainless steel is non-porous, durable, and does not affect the flavour of the coffee. It goes farthest in heat retention as compared to other materials and is, therefore, a preferred choice for travel mugs.

Unfortunately, a stainless steel mug cannot be microwaved as it'll damage your microwave. If you need to warm the coffee, you will have to pour it into another container to reheat. Once you pour a hot coffee in a stainless steel mug, it can keep it hot for a longer period, provided you cover it with a lid while travelling.

Glass mugs are aesthetically pleasing and look sleek in any setting. They are easy to wash and are non-porous, i.e., they won't retain flavours from your last drink. A glass mug is also microwave-safe, so you can warm up your coffee without damaging your favourite mug or your microwave.

But glass is a fragile material, which makes a glass mug not suitable for travel purposes. You also need to be careful while using it at home because if it falls and breaks, there's no coming back. But mugs made of borosilicate glass and opalware are more durable and can hold hot coffee without shattering the glass.

Plastic mugs are quite a preferred choice for mugs but they're not recommended as coffee mugs because they can change the taste of your beverage. They are porous and can allow toxins to penetrate your coffee, thus changing its taste and smell.

However, plastic mugs are a great budget option and are available in attractive colours and patterns. These mugs are generally not microwave-safe, but if you use plastic mugs made of polypropylene then they can be microwaved (read the instructions, though). If you're concerned about buying plastic, you can choose a cup that can be recycled or is made from recycled materials. 

Most coffee mugs have handles as it makes it easier to hold the mug. Handle helps keep the balance of the drink, prevent spills, and protect your hand from getting burnt. However, certain people prefer to drink coffee from mugs without handles. This way, they can feel the warmth of the drink and keep their hands cosy, especially during the winter months.

There are porcelain mugs without handles available in the market that have double-layer of insulation to keep the drink hot and your hands warm, without burning them. If you're someone who drinks hot coffee on the go or prefers cold coffee, mugs without handles will be a convenient option for you.

If coffee is your morning dose of freshness, afternoon dose of get-going, evening dose of relieving tiredness, and everything in between, then you may be looking for more exciting ways to perfect your coffee-making/drinking skill. If yes, be sure to check out our related products that'll make your coffee experience even more worthwhile.

Whether you like your coffee on the go or sipping it from the comfort of your home, there's always the right mug to make your experience better. We hope you feel inspired by our range of top coffee mugs!

Author: Srishti Sikka