What mugs are made of: varieties of materials

How do we usually choose our own mug for tea or coffee? That's right - an attractive design, a suitable volume, an appropriate price. It seems that everything is simple. But in reality, good looks and affordable cost are not the main criteria. It is also necessary to attach importance to the material of manufacture, since it affects how quickly tea or coffee cools, and indeed your safety and your loved ones.

Mugs can be made from different raw materials: porcelain, glass, plastic, wood, ceramics and even clay. And all of them will differ not only in appearance, but also in the features of their application.

What materials are used to make mugs

Indeed, if you think about the differences between the models, then one of the first that comes to mind is the difference in materials. Several groups can be distinguished here at once.

Porcelain

Such dishes have always been considered a sign of wealth and high status of the family. It is porcelain sets that are passed down from generation to generation, and for good reason! The value of porcelain is very high because it has the following advantages:

• The material is twice heat treated at a certain temperature - this contributes to its durability, it is strong enough and retains its integrity for a long time.
• Able to maintain the warmth of the drink during a long tea drinking.
• Environmentally friendly, does not contain harmful substances.
• Aesthetic, presentable thanks to the glazed surface.
• Porcelain can be washed in a dishwasher without the risk of mechanical damage.
• Convenient to store stacked.

BUT! Porcelain dishes do not tolerate heavy impacts and are expensive.

Glass

For the production of mugs, both ordinary glass and tempered glass are used, which has greater strength and shock resistance. Another type of impact-resistant and particularly heat-resistant material from which mugs are made is borosilicate.

Such products are very popular, including because of the variety of options, as well as the democratic cost. Advantages:

• a huge selection of color palette;
• stylish appearance;
• unusual design: from smooth to rough;
• some products are made with a double glass bottom - they have two layers, between them the vacuum is located, due to which optimal thermoregulation and preservation temperature regime;
• boiling water cools down quickly, which is sometimes important at work.

In general, a glass mug deserves the proud title of one of the best options for every day.

Ceramics

An excellent alternative to expensive porcelain: it also retains the warmth and aroma of the drink well, is quite durable, but will cost less. A relatively inexpensive and high-quality material that does not deform and does not emit harmful substances for the body under the influence of high temperatures. The main advantages of ceramics:

• Absolute environmental friendliness. The material is chemically inert and does not react with the beverage or its individual constituents. Such a mug, even when overheated, does not emit harmful substances, and there is never scale on it. It can be used by children and people with a tendency to allergic reactions.
• Modern ceramic dishes are not afraid of strong cooling and heating. You can store it in any conditions.
• Resistant to mechanical damage. Scratches or abrasions rarely occur on its surface.

Metal

Metal products have quite a few advantages. They are durable, long service life, resistant to chips and impacts, keep the drink hot for a long time, since steel belongs to materials with a low degree of thermal conductivity. Some models are double-walled to keep the contents warm for as long as possible.

Today stainless steel mugs are presented on the market in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs.

Wood

Wooden mugs are a creative and effective kitchen item. Of course, such dishes are not in demand as before, when there was simply no other. But today the eco-direction is quite popular in the world, therefore wooden options are again in demand. Moreover, such models have at least a few advantages, but they are quite significant:

• environmental friendliness;
• some types of wood used to make mugs can improve the condition of the stomach, and sometimes even heal diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• high strength - will not break when dropped, cracks will not appear;
• relatively low cost.

Plastic

Mugs made of this material are quite convenient to use: you can drink drinks from them both at home and take with you to nature, since they are light. When buying, it is very important to pay attention to the label: it should be marked "PETE", which means the presence of polyethylene terephthalate - it is ideal for food use.

In fact, plastic mugs are pretty good, but you can't use them for a long time - just due to the material. The optimal service life is 1 year, then it is better to change it.

Clay

The main advantage of such mugs, of course, is the naturalness of the material and its safety. Clay is not capable of oxidizing the drink and entering into any chemical reactions at all, and when heated it does not emits toxic impurities that would negatively affect our health and the quality of tea, or coffee.

In addition, such models have simply remarkable thermal properties - a kind of thermos effect is obtained.

Summing up, we can say that the choice of a mug is a very responsible matter, and the purchase of any option depends not only on personal preferences and the appearance of the dishes. The material of manufacture is an important criterion that you definitely need to pay attention to.