POLL: Cup or mug - is there a difference?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

The amount of times I've made somebody tea and they've prefaced their request with a 'oh could you use that cup/mug' is too many to tell! It's no secret we're picky about the way we like our tea made, but that also includes what we drink it from! But I'll be honest, I don't always know the difference...

So, when you ask for a 'cup of tea', what do you really mean - a cup or a mug? Does it matter and what do you prefer if so?

Handmade porcelain · More Info

Yes - I can't believe you're even asking!

No - I wouldn't know or care...

Err...

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Robinson Stone

8 years ago

depends on the occasion. Afternoon tea in a posh hotel with a mug would simply be a no-no

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Comments (34)

dragonflyblue57
8 years ago
It has to be a mug, but only bone china will do!
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JML Garden Rooms
8 years ago
I like mugs but only as you get more :)
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Najeebah
8 years ago
ah mugs of course! I have a collection growing. volume is one factor, though I'd rather fill half a mug than a cup.
carole_fordham1
8 years ago
I hate drinking out of a mug, it had to be a cup and saucer, preferably bone China.
peediewee
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
massive mug at home because i like lots of tea. if i'm at someone else'd i'll take in whatever they give me. though i do find mugs easier to hold.
User
8 years ago
If I need my caffeine hit I will use anything, but hubby likes the biggest mug possible.
PRO
Coral Interiors
8 years ago
I like a nice big mug of Earl Grey. But I'm with dragonflyblue57 - it has to be bone China!
Juliet Docherty
8 years ago
Check out the Leach pottery mugs for Seasalt. Have bought 2 and they are so beautiful and nice to drink from.
Lila 1410
8 years ago
I'd say a mug if asked, but I wouldn't ask.
corakeating2
8 years ago
Give me a China cup or mug any time but if not china I would prefer a mug to a cup
senzanome
8 years ago
Mug or cup, depending on the occasion, but always bone china.
ali270
8 years ago
Tea in a cup , coffee in a mug but both have to be bone china .
That's not pretentiousness , the taste of both is so much better in bone china .
sblack92
8 years ago
Cup and saucer or mug I don't mind providing it is bone china
joby11dog
8 years ago
An occasion and it has to be a cup and saucer - everyday a mug has greater capacity but always bone china - pottery puts my teethe on edge!
Gay Evans
8 years ago
I don't care whether it's a mug or cup. I have modern mugs and vintage cups and saucers. But it has to be BONE CHINA.
Gay Evans
8 years ago
Love these too
fostercarol2011
8 years ago
Nothing better than a cup of tea served in a bone china cup and saucer
robertobarbacane
8 years ago
A big cup or a small mug :-)
David Johnson
8 years ago
Always a cup and saucer, early man drank out of mugs, and never, never a teabag in a cup.
gerryflan
8 years ago
- Steer clear of plastic, disposable mugs and use a porcelain/china cup
- Only use freshly drawn water for the kettle
- Once water is boiled, wait five second before pouring into cup or warmed teapot
- Brewing time between three to five minutes for optimum balance of flavour and strength
- Squeeze the tea bag 15x before emission
- Add five per cent of semi-skimmed milk to the cup before adding tea
- Wait for six minutes for the temperature to drop to 60C before drinking
chalkandbell
8 years ago
Always a China cup and saucer for tea. It just doesn't taste right in a mug! And while we're on the subject...tea bags? Yeuch, leaf tea every time!
Sam Hill
8 years ago
If a mug, pottery or bone china.
Lisa Burdett
8 years ago
Bone china cup or mug for tea. But a big old chunky mug for coffee. Also the cup or mug have to be white inside, I cannot bare the inside to be a dark colour.
163 hrd
8 years ago
Wow lots of bone china fans. I actually hate it - it always burns me. I only use a ceramic mug at home.
keen bean
8 years ago
hmmm - bone china or not? mug or not? I don't really care as long as I get a large hot drink in whatever comes to hand. As long as it's CLEAN and not chipped! Can't say there's any beautiful or valuable pieces I use for everyday, they get broken too often in our household! Saying that I do have a lovely V&B crockery set and have the cups & saucers too but they get saved for special occasions and guests, but I believe Villeroy & Boch are porcelain aren't they???!!! Haven't had any complaints yet. Don't come to my house if you can't drink from anything but bone china. :)
Juliet Docherty
8 years ago
https://www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/cornish_home/kitchen/leach_pottery

These are the Leach Pottery mugs. Seasalt sponsor an apprenticeship each year and these beauties are the result of this year's student. Something for the Xmas list me thinks.
PRO
Pat Oliver Interior Design
8 years ago
I should think it depends on the occasion. Everyday, a mug is fine for tea. But with guests or to make yourself feel pampered, cup and saucer, please. An of course, bone china!
milfordmaid
8 years ago
I knew I couldn't be alone in bone china being the only man for hot drinks. My in-laws + neighbours roll their eyes in that - who does she think she is with her bone china. They think I am nuts. All hot beverages out of bone chips na. I prefer a small mug size, but prefer a china cup to a pottery mug.
Only hot drink not served in china is - a hot whiskey/brandy/port. Served in a glass mug with handle.
PRO
Treacle Row Interior Design
8 years ago
Big white china mug for me please!
Jan Johnson
8 years ago
I never know where to put a hot mug on the wooden table and it would mean having a mat for it. I like china cups too and saucers.
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
Hello Tom,

Yes I am fussy about what my morning coffee comes in... I cannot abide mugs even the word makes me screw my nose up.. I do have to have bone china and white! Also it must be plain! Doesn't need to be expensive this little beauty is from Sainsbury's and £5! Can't get better than that... They look gr8 with other things on the shelf. I love them! ..... : ))
Shelly Anne
8 years ago
Regardless of the shape, cup, mug, whatever, I can't stand drinking out of anything thick and chunky and that includes cheap glasses for cold drinks. I think that's why there are so many fans of bone china on here. You want the cup/mug/glass etc to just be the vessel for what ever is inside and not have the feel of a big chunk of pottery clattering against your teeth to be the main sensation when you settle down with a nice beverage
Michael Parker
8 years ago
In the UK, if you are at home and ask for a cup of tea, it will be in a mug. if you ask at a restaurant, it will be in a teapot with a cup to serve yourself.

POLL: Cup or mug - is there a difference?

Comments (34)

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