A Guide to the Range
Ancap Verona Coffee Cups (from £6.99): Italian porcelain cups made in Vicenza, Italy — the gold standard in professional espresso cups. Ancap's thick-walled porcelain retains heat exceptionally well and has a pleasantly smooth rim. Available in multiple sizes covering espresso, cappuccino and flat white. With 64 reviews they're our most popular cup, widely used in specialty cafés across the UK and equally at home on a domestic espresso bar.
Coffee Hit Classic American Diner Mug (£14.99 / £19.99 branded): A heavy-duty, classic 10oz (295ml) diner mug — thick-walled vitrified ceramic that chips with difficulty, holds heat well and feels substantial in the hand. Popular for filter coffee, AeroPress and longer espresso drinks. Available in plain white and with the Coffee Hit logo. 47 reviews.
Fellow Monty Milk Art Cups (from £25): Designed specifically for latte art — the wide, curved bowl shape provides the ideal canvas for pouring milk patterns and gives baristas the room they need to work. Available in cortado and cappuccino sizes. A thoughtful purchase for anyone learning to pour or for home espresso setups where presentation matters.
Fellow Joey Double Wall Ceramic Mugs (from £30): Double-wall ceramic construction that insulates coffee from the outside air, keeping drinks hotter for longer while the outer wall stays cool to the touch. Clean, modern design in Fellow's characteristic style.
Fellow Carter Move Travel Mug (from £24.99): Fellow's flagship travel mug — vacuum-insulated stainless steel with a leak-proof lid, designed to keep coffee hot for hours without the metallic taste some vacuum flasks introduce. Available in multiple capacities. 48 reviews make it the best-reviewed travel mug in the collection.
Rhino Shot Pitcher and Shot Glass: Functional barista tools rather than cups for drinking — the Rhino Shot Pitcher (80ml / 3oz, £6.99) is a dual-spout glass pitcher used for catching and measuring espresso yield during extraction. The Rhino Shot Glass (60ml / 2oz lined, £4.99) is a lined shot glass for visually confirming espresso volume. Both are standard tools in a professional espresso setup. For more barista tools, see our barista tools collection.
Rhino Cupping Bowl (£8.99): A standard-sized cupping bowl for coffee tasting. Coffee cupping is the professional method used by roasters and baristas to evaluate and compare coffees — a specific bowl size and shape ensures results are consistent and comparable. Pairs well with the Avensi Alto Tasting Cup for structured tasting sessions.
Avensi Alto Tasting Cup (£26.99): A specialty tasting cup from ICOSA Brewhouse with a unique tulip form designed to concentrate and direct coffee aromas towards the nose — making subtle flavour notes more perceptible. Popular with specialty coffee enthusiasts and those who cup regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size cup should I use for espresso, flat white and cappuccino?
Espresso is typically served in a 60–90ml (2–3oz) cup. A flat white is generally served in a 150–180ml (5–6oz) cup. A cappuccino is served in a 150–220ml (5–7oz) cup, with the larger size allowing room for a thicker layer of steamed milk foam. A latte is served in a larger cup or glass, typically 220–350ml (8–12oz). The Ancap Verona range covers espresso and cappuccino sizes; the Fellow Monty covers cortado and cappuccino. Matching cup size to drink volume helps maintain the correct balance of espresso to milk.
Does cup material affect the taste of coffee?
Material primarily affects heat retention and the tactile experience rather than flavour directly. Thick porcelain and ceramic — like the Ancap Verona — retain heat well and have a neutral, non-reactive surface that won't impart off-flavours. Thin-walled glass cools faster. Stainless steel vacuum flasks can occasionally introduce a metallic taste, though quality designs like the Fellow Carter Move are engineered to avoid this. Pre-warming your cup with hot water before brewing is one of the simplest ways to improve heat retention regardless of material.
What is a shot pitcher used for in espresso?
A shot pitcher (also called a shot glass or espresso measuring glass) is placed under the portafilter during extraction to catch the espresso yield. The volume markings allow you to confirm your shot weight or volume visually during the pull. The Rhino Shot Pitcher (80ml, dual-spout) can also be used to split a double shot into two single-shot servings simultaneously. It's a standard tool on any properly equipped espresso bar and useful for home baristas dialling in shot ratios. For a complete espresso setup, browse our home espresso machines and espresso grinders.
What is coffee cupping and what equipment do I need?
Coffee cupping is the standardised method used by roasters, buyers and baristas to evaluate and compare coffees side by side. Coarsely ground coffee is placed in a bowl, covered with hot water, and assessed for aroma, flavour, acidity, body and finish as it cools. The Rhino Cupping Bowl is sized to the SCA standard, which ensures your results are consistent with industry practice. To cup at home, you need cupping bowls, cupping spoons, a kettle and freshly roasted whole beans. It's a fascinating way to develop your coffee palate and better understand the flavours you're tasting in your daily brew.
