Rooted in Western European tradition, the mug is a popular vessel for hot drinks. Larger than a standard cup and closer in spirit to a tankard or beaker, a tea mug features a handle but no saucer. Tea mugs are made in a range of materials: ceramic, glass, porcelain, plastic and enamel steel, to name just a few.

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Why choose a tea mug for your infusion?

There are many good reasons to reach for a mug when you want a hot drink, whether tea, coffee or an herbal infusion. A mug is perfectly suited to everyday solo use. Choosing a tea mug means you can brew quickly and easily, with no need for a separate cup, saucer and teapot.

Tea mugs hold more

A tea mug holds considerably more than a traditional teacup, making it an ideal choice if you like to drink generous amounts. That extra volume means you can sip your tea or coffee at your own pace, without returning to the pot. More liquid in the cup also means your drink stays warm for longer.

Tea mugs are more robust than traditional cups

A glass, porcelain or ceramic teacup is typically light and fairly delicate. Accidentally breaking a fine cup is not uncommon, which is why many people prefer the sturdiness of a tea mug for daily use. The weight and size of a mug also reduce the risk of accidentally spilling a hot drink.

What types of teacups are there?

Set of 4 Japanese Cups by Tokyo Design, 160 ml€38.00Flora Japonica Ginkgo Cup 17cl€8.90Yunomi Tetsuaka Tea Cup 20cl€12.00Sometsuke Paper Decal Cup 200ml€12.00Sometsuke Momiji Cup 200ml€12.00

Teacups come in many forms. The first thing you will notice is design and colour. Like the rest of your tableware, a teacup reflects a particular tradition: if you love yunomi cups and blue-and-white porcelain, explore our Japanese tableware.

• English teacups;
• Moroccan tea glasses;
• Chinese teacups, and more.

Depending on its origins, a teacup will offer different colours (red, pink, black, white and beyond) and shapes. The material varies too: stoneware, glass, porcelain or ceramic. Each style reflects a different way of enjoying your favourite hot drink.

How to choose a tea mug

When choosing a tea mug, several criteria come into play. Start with materials: opt for quality (porcelain, glass, ceramic) based on how you plan to use it. Design matters too, since this is a cup you will reach for every day.

Tea mug materials

As with teacups and coffee cups, tea mugs come in a range of materials:

• porcelain tea mugs;
• glass tea mugs;
• stoneware tea mugs;
• enamel steel tea mugs;
• ceramic tea mugs, and more.

Ceramic mugs are solid and handle high-temperature drinks well. Glass mugs are more delicate but beautiful to drink from. Choose porcelain if you like to switch between different drinks in the same cup: a porcelain tea mug will not retain flavours over time.

Tea mug design

The tea mug is so popular in part because it offers such a wide range of looks and personalisation options. You might choose a porcelain mug that echoes the elegance of a traditional teacup, or one that takes its cues from pop culture.

If you are looking for a tea mug as a gift, a fun or inspiring design is always a good choice. A mug is a deeply personal object: it is the vessel you come back to every morning for your favourite drink, whether tea, coffee or an herbal infusion.

Tea mug capacity

Capacity is an important factor. A mug in the 350–450 ml range will suit most hot drink enthusiasts. If you drink tea, coffee or infusions in large quantities, consider going for an XXL tea mug.

Want to explore more tea drinking accessories? You might enjoy these articles:

• Why choose a teacup?
• Why invest in a tea set?

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