A mug is a mug. Right? Wrong. At least not if you're a coffee drinker. Some people have a favorite mug that they drink out of daily. In fact is may be so used that it is permanently stained with coffee. Then there are the specialty coffee cups or mugs. The ones that are used to serve the fancier coffee drinks in, like the Irish coffee mug or cappuccino mug. Each mug has its own special use which is determined by what it is being used for or who is using it.

Basic Coffee Cups

These are the ordinary coffee cups that usually come with dinnerware sets. Most people get a set when they first get married. They typically aren't fancy or insulated but they do hold a cup of coffee. Most come with a matching saucer, if they were part of a dinnerware set.

Designs and Collector Mugs

These are similar to the coffee mugs that come in dinnerware sets except they are usually purchased individually. They can have pictures, designs, artwork and more on them. Almost all tourist locations have coffee mugs with their city or location on them.

Advertisements often appear on these type coffee cups as well. Companies order them logoed to use a client give always in order to keep their name in front of your eyes.

Collector mugs can also come in odd sizes and shapes. There are mugs shaped like mouse ears from Florida or like golf balls from the local golf resort. Coffee mug makers have unlimited imaginations it seems.

Serious coffee mug collectors don't even drink coffee from their mugs; they put them on display and never use them. Military themed coffee mugs are one example of a collectible coffee mug.

Specialty Coffee Mugs

There are some coffee mugs that are made especially for the type of coffee drink that is being served in them.

The Irish coffee mug is used to serve Irish coffee or other after dinner drink that is coffee based. These mugs are usually quite elegant, made of a heavy glass. They are often taller than traditional mugs and have a more slender design with a footed bottom.

Cappuccino mugs almost look like large bowls with handles on them. The size of the cappuccino mug is part of the signature experience of enjoying a good cappuccino after dinner. Cappuccino mugs often have matching saucers.

Espresso cups or demitasse cups are petite cups usually holding no more than 2-3 oz. of liquid. They also typically have matching saucers.

Travel mugs are used when you are on the go and want to carry your coffee with you. They are usually insulated to keep your coffee warm and often have a lid with a sipper section that opens and closes.

Many coffee travel mugs are stainless steel. These seem to be the most popular for traveling but on the downside they can't be put in a microwave once you reach the office.

To the non-coffee drinker, the coffee mug may appear to be just another cup. But to the coffee drinker it can be as important as the coffee itself. From the plain white coffee mug to your favorite, well used ceramic mug that hold a quart coffee mugs, to some people, play an important part in the coffee drinking experience.