In an increasingly climate-conscious society, people are becoming more aware of the importance of straying further from single-use products. The iconic disposable coffee cups used by big brand coffee shops now carry connotations of pollution and unsustainability.
In the UK, a staggering two and a half billion disposable cups get thrown away every year! As such, many are trading them in for reusable alternatives. This leaves the discerning coffee connoisseur with a big question: 'Will these alternatives affect the taste of my coffee?'.
Whilst ceramic cups are a staple material used for drinking coffee in the home, they don't offer the portability which is afforded by other materials. For this reason, many people are switching to stainless steel coffee cups, largely due to how well they compare to their counterparts.
What to consider when buying reusable cups
When deciding which material will give you the best experience of your morning cuppa, there is a myriad of important factors. Most importantly, heat retention, durability and the ability to keep nasty odours and tastes at bay.
Heat retention is incredibly important as the taste of your coffee is heavily influenced by its temperature. Research by the Laboratory of Ion Channel Research in Cuba found that taste receptors are at their most sensitive when in contact with food between 20 and 35 degrees Celsius. This explains why coffee often begins to taste increasingly bitter as it cools down.
The durability of the materials used to make reusable coffee cups is important as it protects the environment, as well as your bank account. If the materials used to make your coffee cup are not recyclable, a discarded cup will only add to growing landfill and pollution issues. This emphasizes the importance of buying both eco-friendly and durable products.
The more you use certain coffee cups, they will accrue a smell as the flavours in the cup permeate the material. This might not be an issue when you first buy your cup, but as time goes by, your coffee might begin to taste and smell rather unpleasant (definitely not a taste you want to wake up to every morning).
Plastic vs stainless steel
Whilst plastic is a widely available and often affordable material, you may not be getting your money's worth. Even if the plastic coffee cup is made correctly, it won't keep your coffee warm quite as long as stainless steel.
Moreover, coffee cups made of plastic will not have the same lifespan as their steel counterparts. It is a considerably less durable material. Unfortunately, over time, it will also take on an unpleasant odour as flavours get trapped in the plastic.
With these factors in mind, this single-use cup will soon end up being binned, which isn't in the interest of the climate or your wallet. Plastic is infamously bad for the environment, and sadly, many plastic products don't make it to recycling plants.
In comparison, stainless steel has a much longer lifespan. So, whilst it might be a slightly more expensive immediate purchase, it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Unlike other materials, with an occasional clean these bottles are capable of maintaining the same taste, coffee after coffee. Stainless steel is also very effective at retaining heat, keeping your coffee warm and tasty whilst you're on the go.
Moreover, thermal stainless steel cups are especially effective at retaining heat. Our Safari mug is an excellent example of stainless steel's heat retention properties, having the ability to keep your liquids piping hot (or chilled) for up to 6 hours.
Meanwhile, bottles from our thermal collection are capable of keeping cold drinks cool for up to 24 hours, and hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours.
Hippo Bottles cups and bottles aren't just functional and affordable, but also designed with portability in mind. If you are in the market for an upgrade to stainless steel drinkware, there is something for everyone at Hippo Bottles. Check out the first edition thermal collection for yourself as well as their wide array of accessories and start enjoying climate-conscious coffee today!