Posted on April 20th, 2022

A coffee mug may be the first thing caffeine enthusiasts see every single morning. According to the 2019 Statista Global Consumer Survey, 44% of American adults drank two to three cups of coffee per day, the most common choice being drip coffee. Plus, the average TikTok morning routine video shows that any perfect (or so-so) day starts with brewing coffee in a cup, either with a French press or a coffee maker that's been in the family for years. Oftentimes, you're not pouring your joe into just any cup, but the "favorite cup" — a souvenir, Christmas gift, or vintage mug that carries a special meaning.

Coffee mugs have been around for longer than many of us can imagine, and they've been part of people's coffee drinking rituals for many generations. They have evolved throughout the decades, too, becoming a modern accessory in the form of insulated travel mugs and Starbucks' famous cups. Ever wondered when it all started?

The first mugs were invented around 3900 to 1700 BC, reveals Quality Logo Products, but they weren't used for coffee. Because coffee was not discovered until sometime in the 9th century in Ethiopia, according to The Spruce Eats, these mugs carved from wood or even animal skulls were used for water, spirits, or wine. By 3000 BC, metal cups appeared as metalwork increased, and mugs were made from gold, silver, bronze, or lead (but this last one, of course, was a harmful material to drink from). As time went on, the advancements of each era contributed to the development of mugs: Pottery of the Middle Ages brought a variety of designs, followed by widespread distribution of cups during the Industrial Revolution.

Original article: https://www.mashed.com/837566/when-were-coffee-cups-invented/?utm_campaign=clip