Oct
Research shows that temperature affects the flavour of tea and coffee and how much we enjoy them. In one controlled study, both coffee and green tea were liked more when served at 65°C than at room temperature.1 Other research has shown how temperature changes the release of coffee aromas and the flavours we perceive.2
More time at the temperature you enjoy
That familiar moment when your drink tastes just right is what we designed the Glowstone Smart Mug around. Our aim is to extend it over an hour of drinking, keeping your tea or coffee in an enjoyable temperature range while you take your time. You can settle into a conversation, read another chapter or return to your desk with a hot drink still waiting.
There is no single perfect temperature for every drink and every person. Research into black coffee found that a broad range, around 58–66°C, maximised consumers’ acceptance of its temperature.3 The useful idea is a comfortable drinking range, sustained long enough to enjoy the cup.
The familiar feel of fine bone china
We have considered the rest of that experience just as carefully, starting with what touches your drink. Our mug is made from genuine fine bone china, with a fired, vitrified glaze that creates a smooth, sealed drinking surface. It is a surface you can clean between drinks, helping you remove the residue that yesterday’s coffee or tea can leave behind. It also brings the familiar feel of fine china to an everyday mug.
A thin, smooth rim
The rim deserves particular attention because you feel it with every sip. We have kept ours thin and smooth, with comfort at the point where the mug meets your lips guiding the design. A fine edge is a small detail, but it is one you experience repeatedly throughout your drink.
Space to enjoy the aroma
Shape matters too. Research has found that the shape of a coffee cup can influence perceptions of aroma and flavour.4 We have considered the mug’s depth, width and rounded interior as part of the complete drinking experience. Its open shape lets you bring your nose close to the drink and enjoy its aroma as you lift the cup and sip.
Heat that works with the drink
Inside, the central heater is designed to work with the natural movement of the liquid. Heating from below encourages warmer liquid to rise as cooler liquid moves down to replace it.5 Our design aims to use this gentle circulation to help distribute heat through the drink, supporting the temperature control that gives you longer to enjoy it.
These details belong together. The temperature, fine bone china, thin rim and carefully considered shape all serve the same purpose: making a cup of tea or coffee a pleasure to drink. You have already chosen the beans or leaves and taken the time to brew them. We want to give you more time to enjoy the result.
Discover the Glowstone Smart Mug
The research behind the article
- Pramudya & Seo (2018). Influences of Product Temperature on Emotional Responses to, and Sensory Attributes of, Coffee and Green Tea Beverages. Frontiers in Psychology.
- Steen et al. (2017). Influence of serving temperature on flavour perception and release of Bourbon Caturra coffee. Food Chemistry.
- Ristenpart, Cotter & Guinard (2022). Impact of beverage temperature on consumer preferences for black coffee. Scientific Reports.
- Carvalho & Spence (2018). The shape of the cup influences aroma, taste, and hedonic judgements of specialty coffee. Food Quality and Preference.
- Zhao et al. (2020). Multiphysics analysis for unusual heat convection in microwave heating liquid. AIP Advances. Cited for general convection physics.
These studies examine temperature, cup shape or heat transfer. They are not tests of the Glowstone Smart Mug.