Lelit espresso cups, set of 6 – porcelain with saucers, 70 ml
Thick porcelain, warm from the machine, a rim that fits your lip just right. The sip comes more slowly – and that alone changes a lot.
An espresso is a small volume with a great deal in it. More than 800 compounds are found in a cup of coffee, more than in wine. For them to come through, the cup has to play its part: 70 millilitres of porcelain with a noticeable wall thickness absorb heat and release it slowly, instead of drawing it out of the espresso in the first few seconds. What stays warm in the cup also stays aromatic – temperature decides which compounds are released and linger in the air above the drink.
Most of what we call aroma doesn't arise on the tongue anyway. When you swallow, volatile compounds rise through the throat to the olfactory mucosa – retronasal olfaction. The tongue supplies the basic taste, the nose the rest. A narrow, tall cup guides these compounds differently from a flat bowl, and that's measurable, not just a feeling.
Then there's what the eye does. Vessel, colour and material demonstrably change perception: white porcelain makes the crema look darker and denser, and that impression feeds into how we judge it before the cup even reaches your lips. Dopamine is released while anticipating, not only while enjoying.
Six cups, six saucers, one set. Our opinion is one of many – but we see the difference in the showroom every day.
At a glance
| In the box |
6 espresso cups with saucers |
| Material |
Porcelain |
| Volume |
70 ml |
| Item number |
PL300 |
| Origin |
Lelit, Italy |
Who they're made for
For everyone who makes espresso at home and no longer wants a collection of mismatched cups for it. For anyone who has guests and would like to set out six matching cups. And for everyone with a Lelit on the counter who feels the matching cup belongs with it.
No shot can be replicated – the bean, the humidity and the person change every day. The cup is one of the few constants in the game. That doesn't make it more important than the grinder, but it doesn't make it unimportant either.
Matching machines are in the Lelit espresso machines collection, more cups for espresso, cappuccino and latte art in the cups for espresso and cappuccino collection.
What goes with it
The espresso in the cup is only as even as the grind before it. Particle size and uniformity determine the quality of the extraction, and burr sets are like car engines: subjective, there's no single best. For anyone who wants an affordable, precise grinder: the Varia VS3 and the Comandante C40 from the coffee grinders collection. If you want more, go for the Varia VS6, the EG-1 from Weber Workshops or an Option-O Lagom.
For milk alongside: if you want an affordable, precise pitcher, go for the Normcore milk pitchers; if you want more, you'll find the finer spouts from Weber Workshops and Rhino in the milk pitchers and barista pitchers collection.
Frequently asked questions
What's in the set?
Six porcelain espresso cups, each with a matching saucer.
How big are the cups?
70 millilitres. That's enough for a ristretto just as much as for a double espresso, without having to fill the cup to the brim.
Why does the cup change the taste?
Because temperature decides which compounds are released and linger in the air above the drink. Thick porcelain holds the heat longer. Then there's perception: vessel, colour and material measurably change how we judge body and aroma.
How do I preheat the cups?
The easiest way is on the machine's cup warmer tray. If you don't have one, briefly fill the cup with hot water and empty it right before pulling the shot.
Can I see the product before buying?
Yes. In Bern at Gerberngasse 44 and in Zurich at Hagenholzstrasse 50b, you can see the cups in person. Delivery to Switzerland and Liechtenstein takes 2 to 4 working days.
From the roastery
In 70 millilitres, density matters more than anything else. Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight fill the cup with body, caramel and chocolate and keep the finish long. If you want maximum body without any acidity, go for Very Nutty. And if you're curious how a lighter roast comes across in white porcelain, try Wild Peach – fruity and lively, a discovery on the side. That's our recommendation, one of many; any other bean works just as well.
