The coffee mug makes it easy to sip coffee leisurely, and the right one keeps the beverage hot or cool longer. Naturally, anyone passionate about their coffee will want to choose the beverage hot or cool longer. There are so many options, so how do you pick it?
Ceramic and glass are two of the most popular choices when it comes to coffee mugs. But both glass and ceramic mugs have different advantages, so it all comes down to personal preference.
Apart from their purpose of serving tea, coffee, or other hot beverages, there is very little in common between the two materials. Both are environment-friendly options. So, if you are concerned about the plastic waste problem, you can choose either option.
But before you choose, you must know the distinctive features that differentiate them.
Visibility
One of the clear distinctions you will notice between the glass and ceramic mugs is the amount of visibility they offer. Glass coffee mugs are transparent and let you see the level of the drink. On the other hand, the opaque ceramic looks beautiful from the outside, but you can only have the top view of the drink upon lifting the lid.
Weight
But the mugs have a thicker and porous exterior. This makes the mugs more durable, especially during high impact. So, if you accidentally drop the mug, the glass has a better chance of breaking the ceramic mug. So ceramic wins in durability.
Heat Retention
Due to the thickness of the ceramic mugs, they can retain heat much better than glass mugs. Usually, when you keep a beverage in the mug for too long, it loses its temperature as it evaporates. The rate at which the liquid will evaporate depends on the shape of the container and the exposed surface area. Also, the mug will draw the heat into its body and release it into the air, cooling the drink faster.
Due to the porous nature of the ceramic material, it absorbs heat much slower than glass mugs. The small air pockets within its body behave like insulators. This is why your coffee will remain hot for longer if you keep it in a ceramic mug.
Recycling
Glass is a material that can be recycled infinite times. Despite its fragile nature, it makes it worthwhile. It can be increased using different manufacturing techniques. Another benefit is it is non-reactive, so it will not create toxic effects when you put the drink in.
On the other hand, Ceramic is also non-reactive, especially if you use glazed ceramics. But then it is not so easily recyclable. At most, you can down-cycle the material by grinding it into a powder-like form to make other ceramic materials.
Conclusion
Ultimately, choosing a ceramic mug or a glass mug is up to you. But if you consider the advantages of the materials, they are equally good choices. Glass is a more easily recyclable material that offers better visibility of the drink. In contrast, ceramic lasts longer and retains the heat of the beverage better.
Both have their unique uses and are non-reactive, safe options. There are also plenty of aesthetic choices available for both types. So, choose one depending on the factors that are more important to you.
Author name: Kiara Mac
