Drinking from copper mugs has been considered healthy since ancient times. Many people still prefer to use the pot for drinking water. It is scientifically proven that copper is an essential element for the human body.
This natural ingredient has vast usage in medicine production. It is also a food-safe metal to manufacture cookware.
So, can you use copper mugs for coffee?
In short, the answer is YES.
Can You Drink Coffee In a Copper Mug?
You can drink coffee in a copper mug. Here we are talking about iced coffee. However, the inside of the mug has to be plated with food-safe metals like stainless steel, tin, or nickel.
Copper mugs are widely acceptable for drinking both hot and cold beverages. People around the world have been using them for centuries without issues.
This natural metal (also mineral) is found in mines. Copper is safe in general. So, they are vastly used to make kitchen dishes.
The metal goes through many refining processes and coating to become food grade. But, if drinking in pure copper cups, copper can still leach into the coffee.
Sometimes, you may taste copper ions in coffee. It happens because the acidic properties of coffee dissolve copper.
It can deliver a little metallic taste to your drink. We will discuss later if copper ions are healthy or not.
Read More: Can You Put Coffee in a Solo Cup?
Are Copper Mugs Safe For Hot Drinks?
Drinking hot coffee in a copper mug is not a good idea. But, it is an excellent drinking pot for iced coffee. If you try to drink hot coffee in a pure copper mug, it can seriously burn your tongue, lips, and hands.
Copper naturally heats up fast. The electrons in copper circulate very quickly throughout the material. As a result, copper becomes very hot and passes the heat quickly from one edge to another.
It is an ideal metal to transfer heat quickly. So, pouring hot coffee into it will make the mug and its handle extremely hot. Therefore, you should not use a pure copper mug for hot coffee.
Copper mugs have a higher ability to retain and transfer temperature. So, drinking hot coffee from a copper cup will cause a burn. But, it can be used as a thermal carafe since it keeps coffee hot for a long time.
Are Copper Mugs Toxic?
Copper has a big place in the history of civilization and humans. People have been using copper kitchen accessories and dishes for centuries. It is rare to find that copper has directly affected anyone.
However, some notoriety about copper is true. Copper containers can leach copper if hot foods and drinks are put into them. The metal can be reactive in case of direct contact with foods or drinks with less than a pH of 6.0.
A user may experience some copper poisoning in rare cases. In case of long-term use, it may cause some physical issues such as mild burning to the eyes, mouth, and nose.
It can also create other disturbances, including headache, nausea, and dizziness. These physical issues may take years to grow. So, there is nothing to worry about if you have a personal fancy copper cup to enjoy your favorite drinks.
Drinking water and beverages from copper cups also have many health benefits. Studies say drinking in copper pots helps to manage blood pressure and assists in thyroid function. It also helps to lose weight and keep your heart healthy.
Safe Material For a Coffee Mug
Copper cups look beautiful. But, it is bad news if you prefer hot coffee. They are very compatible with iced coffee, not with hot drinks.
So, which material is safe for coffee mugs? Fortunately, there are a lot of alternatives to holding and drinking hot coffee.
Ceramic mugs will provide you with the highest safety from leaching and toxicity. They are also microwave-safe. So, you can put them directly into microwave ovens to warm your coffee.
Glass mugs will offer you the same advantages. Additionally, coffees in transparent glass mugs look stunning.
Stainless steel mugs are ideal drinking containers for ordinary people. They are durable, affordable, and dishwasher safe. Moreover, they are effective in keeping iced coffee cold.
Melamine cups are good alternatives to copper cups. They don’t affect the taste of coffee. However, they also cause leaching if the drink is too much hot.
Plastic cups are widely used, particularly in coffee shops. They are convenient for drinking coffee. But, these cups are harmful to the environment.
Paper cups are another popular variation of on-the-go coffee cups. They are compostable and safe for the environment. But, they can also leach.
Since copper mugs are not good for hot coffee, these cups can be the best alternatives. Though some of them can still leach, they hardly ruin the taste of coffee.
The Best Material For a Coffee Mug
Ceramic is the best material for coffee mugs. It is safe for any kind of hot and cold drinks. These mugs are not reactive to microwave and have no leaching issue. Also, they don’t contain any toxic substances that will harm the human body.
Glass coffee mugs are the second-best option. They have similar advantages. However, the only drawback of both materials is that they are fragile.
Are Copper Mugs Dishwashers Safe?
Copper mugs are not dishwasher safe. Regular dishwashers can discolor the metal. As a result, the shiny appearance of copper will look sketchy.
You need natural cleaners and different cleaning processes for copper mugs. Some compatible cleaners for copper are lemon juice, vinegar, and baking soda.
How To Clean Copper Mugs?
Didn’t find anything to clean your grimy copper mug? No problem! Lemon and salt are the two best options for instant and effective cleaning. Both of them are widely used to clean kitchen accessories. The combination is one of the finest cleaners for copper dishes.
Here are the steps to clean your copper mug:
- Take some regular salt and a whole lemon.
- Chop the lemon in the middle and cover up the sliced surface with salt.
- Rub the slice of lemon directly on your copper mug.
- Keep rubbing until the copper surface looks shiny.
Add more salt or use the other slice of lemon if needed.
How To Remove Copper Mug Tarnish?
Tarnish grows on copper due to the reactive nature of the metal. It is also called copper oxide, caused by a reaction with oxygen.
Tarnish looks dirty, but it is natural and harmless. You can easily remove it and make your copper mug shiny again.
Follow these steps to do it:
- Take 3 portions of baking soda and 1 portion of vinegar.
- Mix these ingredients and make a paste.
- Put the mixture on your copper mug like painting with a wet cloth.
- Wait for a few minutes.
- Finally, wash the mug with fresh water.
Final Words
The entire article shows us that a copper cup is excellent for drinking cold beverages like iced coffee. But, drinking hot coffee in it will be a terrible idea. Due to the thermal character, a copper mug will help to keep iced coffee cold for longer.
However, there are many good options. If you want the best cup for hot coffee, nothing can beat a ceramic or steel cup. They let you enjoy hot coffee with no leaching issue at all.
