ECM classic cups – porcelain espresso and cappuccino cups, set of 6
The cup comes warm off the tray, the saucer clinks briefly, and before the first drop even falls, it's clear how this moment will turn out.
The vessel belongs to the espresso as much as the bean does. Not as decoration, but measurably: shape, colour, wall thickness and material change how dense, how sweet and how warm a cup is perceived – the same liquid, a different vessel, a different experience. Then there's physics. Porcelain stores heat and releases it slowly; an espresso that lands in a preheated porcelain cup loses its temperature more gradually than one that falls into cool glass. And temperature helps decide which of the coffee's more than 800 compounds dissolve and how they reach your nose when they rise retronasally to the olfactory mucosa as you swallow.
What defines the classic range
Both versions come as a set of six cups and six matching saucers, made from porcelain, with the understated ECM design and the subtle embossing. Unlike the handmade stoneware range in our selection, these cups are dishwasher-safe – that's the practical difference that counts in everyday life, especially when more than two people often sit at the table.
The espresso version is designed for the short shot, the cappuccino version for the larger volume with milk foam. If you make both at home, take both; the saucers share the same design language, so the sets don't clash on the shelf.
Whether you prefer porcelain or stoneware is a matter of feeling, not of technique. There are no espresso laws and no espresso police. Our opinion is one of many: on busy days we reach for the classic range, and on Sundays for the stoneware.
At a glance
| Material |
Porcelain |
| In the box (per set) |
6 cups with 6 matching saucers |
| Versions |
Espresso and cappuccino |
| Care |
Dishwasher-safe |
| Brand |
ECM |
| Item numbers |
Espresso 09505.K, ECM AC100001-00 · Cappuccino 09506.K, ECM AC100002-00 |
Who the sets are for
For households where more than one person drinks coffee. Six place settings are enough for an evening with guests without washing up in between, and being dishwasher-safe takes the hassle out of it.
For everyone looking for a calm, timeless setting that doesn't push itself into the foreground. And for everyone who likes to have something next to their ECM machine that belongs with it. You'll find the machines in the ECM Collection; we're an ECM partner. No budget is just a beginning – a good cup set costs less than any component in the setup and changes more about the experience than most people expect.
What goes with it
A cappuccino cup calls for a milk pitcher. In milk pitchers, both paths sit side by side: the pitchers from Normcore are affordable and good; if you want more, reach for Rhino or Weber Workshops.
And because every cup starts with the shot: espresso is described by weight ratio, 1:2 as a starting point, and that calls for a scale under the portafilter. For everyone who wants an affordable and precise scale: the Normcore Collection. If you want an app, flow-rate display and Bluetooth: the Acaia Collection. The grinders that come before are in the coffee grinders collection – the Varia VS3 or a Comandante hand grinder for everyone who wants affordable and precise, the Varia VS6, the Weber Workshops EG-1 or an Option-O Lagom for everyone who wants more.
Frequently asked questions
How many cups are in the set?
Six cups with six matching saucers, in both the espresso and the cappuccino version.
What's the difference from ECM's stoneware range?
The stoneware cups are handmade, which makes every piece unique, and they are washed by hand. The classic range is made of porcelain, comes as a set of 6 with saucers and is dishwasher-safe.
Are the cups dishwasher-safe?
Yes, the classic porcelain range is suitable for the dishwasher.
Is it worth preheating the cups?
For most people, yes. Porcelain stores heat and releases it slowly; a preheated cup keeps the espresso's temperature longer, and temperature helps decide which aromas come through. The machine's cup tray takes care of it along the way.
Can I combine the espresso and cappuccino versions?
Yes. Both belong to the same range and share the same design language. You choose the version above under size.
Can I see the product before buying?
Yes. You can see our range in person in Bern at Gerberngasse 44 and in Zurich at Hagenholzstrasse 50b. If you order online: delivery to Switzerland and Liechtenstein takes 2 to 4 working days.
From the roastery
In a warm porcelain cup, sweetness really comes into its own. Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight are our main recommendation for this – dense, round, chocolate and nut, and in a cappuccino they keep their contour. If you want maximum body without any acidity, take Very Nutty. And if you'd like to discover something fruity in a straight espresso, take Wild Peach – lively, a side note for the curious. That's our recommendation, one of many; any other bean works just as well.
