How your cup influences the taste of the coffee you drink every day

Just as wine changes according to the glass, coffee also changes according to how we receive it. It's not just a subjective impression: studies led by neuroscientist Fabiana Carvalho and Professor Charles Spence (University of Oxford) have shown that the shape of the cup influences how we interpret the sweetness, acidity or bitterness of coffee. The science behind this is called neurogastronomy, and it suggests that factors such as the shape, texture and temperature of the vessel directly affect taste perception.

Sound far-fetched to you? Think about this: a very narrow cup can direct the coffee toward the back of your tongue, where we pick up bitterness, while a wide cup distributes the liquid and aroma better, highlighting smoother notes. So subtle. That's how potent.

The rim of the cup is not only a physical boundary. It is the first point of contact between you and the coffee. And that rim, thick or thin, changes the way the liquid is perceived.

• Thick rims: Retain heat better, which can make the coffee feel more dense, enveloping and "creamy". They also retain temperature longer, which influences the perception of intensity.
• Thin edges: They allow for a faster flow of the liquid, which can result in a lighter, more elegant feel. The coffee seems softer, almost ethereal.

This small detail can be decisive between a coffee that "caresses" and one that "hits".

The shape of the cup also shapes your experience without you even realizing it. It's not just a matter of design or personal taste, but of how the aromas, temperature and liquid are distributed in the mouth.

• Wide and low cups: Amplify the olfactory experience. By leaving more surface area exposed to the air, they allow the aroma to be released with more intensity, which can accentuate sweet and sour notes.
• Tall and narrow cups: They direct the coffee towards the back of the tongue, intensifying the bitter flavors. They also retain the aroma in a more concentrated column, which changes our perception of intensity.

Yes, your coffee changes its personality just by the shape of the container.

Although we usually choose the mug by its appearance or weight in the hand, the material also matters. Very much so.

• Ceramic and porcelain: These are the most neutral and reliable materials. They retain heat well and do not alter the taste. They are ideal for those seeking sensory fidelity.
• Glass, cardboard or plastic: Although more practical or esthetic, they can affect the temperature and leave olfactory residues that interfere with the coffee profile. Especially plastics, which easily retain odors.

Did you know? Even a minimal difference in temperature changes the way we perceive acidity or sweetness. And that, in coffee, is everything.