Speaking of comfort factor. For me, coffee tastes better when it's in my hand. Favorite Mug: An old, chipped ceramic mug with a thick, sturdy handle and a navy blue drawing of my furry friend, Bixby, and the dog from the local coffee shop with the same name. Weathered mugs have quite a bit of flat white in them and can be easily replaced. [dozens of] Another mug sitting pristine in my cupboard, this one feeling It tastes better in my mouth.
So is it just my imagination that the container the coffee is held in can have such a serious impact on the taste of the coffee?
As journalists, baristas, and coffee experts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen write in their new book: But first coffee, Probably not. Rather, the coffee expert duo say there are just as many reasons to curate your coffee mug collection as a sommelier would stock varietal-specific glassware. Michelman and Carlsen go so far as to say that choosing the perfect coffee mug is “no less important than any other step in the coffee brewing process.” (We did it, emotional support Bixby mug!) Still: How much is a matter of personal preference? Warm tea is being poured below.
Why the coffee mug you choose is as important as the beans you brew
Michelman and Carlsen firmly believe that enjoying a cuppa coffee is about more than the actual coffee in the cup. Besides the sensory experience of drinking coffee (taste, smell, etc.), the way you drink the beverage plays an equally important role, the duo explain. “Our brains are the most amazing of beings, fleshy supercomputers of astonishing complexity and precision, capable of linking complex concepts like ‘taste’ and ‘taste’ into something cohesive and memorable. But our tongue’s taste receptors are also fallible and easily influenced by unverifiable forces of taste,” Michelman and Carlsen say.
“Sweet music, sweet evening breezes, charming friends—all these forces can and do make things like food and wine more delicious. The same goes for coffee. Our brains are influenced by everything around us the moment we consume.” —Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen, But first coffee
That's why coffee experts spend a lot of time carefully considering which mug to use. before It even boils a cup. It's about entire Michelman and Carlsen claim to have experience. “Sweet music, sweet evening breezes, charming friends—all these forces can and do make things like food and wine more delicious. The same goes for coffee. Our brains are influenced by everything around us the moment we consume. This means that when choosing a mug, the vessel you drink from is very important.”
How to Choose the Perfect Coffee Mug
Following the generally agreed upon rules for drinking wine (Chardonnay is best served in a traditional white wine glass with a narrow rim to help concentrate the delicate grape aromas and preserve the cool temperature – but I digress!), the perfect mug is many More personal.
In other words, why choose one perfect mug when you can have several? “No love of coffee can be truly satisfied with just a mug,” Michelman and Carlsen explain. But here are a few ways to create the perfect mug for your collection:
1. Take the mug with you wherever you go to help create a sense of nostalgia.
One sure-fire way to “deepen your appreciation for coffee at home” is to create a special collection. you. “We put a lot of thought into this issue because we have a deep love for mugs and we collect many mugs from many years of traveling and researching the world of coffee,” say Michelman and Carlsen.
“A vintage mug engraved with a favorite cartoon character from your childhood or a memorable campaign from a particularly beloved sports team can make for a very happy drink.” Each time she takes a sip from that cup, she will become more inclined to associate that cup with a specific memory. “This can help make coffee taste better by creating a ‘flavourful’ experience with different dimensions and resonances,” they claim.
2. Choose a mug that promotes self-care and self-love
In Michelman and Carlsen's view, nothing says “radical self-care” more than a mug that constantly reminds you how great you are. For example, this “empowerment” mug, available on Amazon for $20, is coated with positive affirmations like “I believe in myself” and “I am worthy,” and can make your morning coffee ritual more enlightening and enjoyable. You can make it an uplifting experience. “Research shows that just seeing positive affirmations can improve mental alertness, clarity, and mood—even before you take your first sip,” they say.
3. Support local businesses
“Coffee and ceramics have been good friends for a long time. Chances are there is an artisan potter in your area who creates beautiful mugs. This is truly a worthwhile investment,” say Michelman and Carlsen. This also applies to local coffee shops. “Many cafes sell mugs for use in service, often displayed alongside smaller merchandise such as ground coffee or tote bags.” Not for sale? Coffee experts share their pro tips. Check the bottom of the mug. “Please note the make and model for further inquiries.” genius.
But first coffee Author: Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen © 2023. Publisher: Union Square & Co. Photo © Zachary Carlsen
RD shares the benefits of drinking coffee:
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Cascio, Christopher N et al. “Self-affirmation activates brain systems involved in self-related processing and reward, and is strengthened through future orientation.” Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience volume. 11,4(2016): 621-9. doi:10.1093/scan/nsv136
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