Is there a perfect cup for latte art?

This is exactly the question I’ve been asking myself and I have come to the following conclusions, I’d like to share with you here.
Like so many others, you have probably asked yourself which cups are best suited for cappuccinos with latte art.

There is no one right answer to this, but I would still like to address the following two topics.
- Why are some cup shapes better than others for latte art?
- Is bigger always better?

What makes the ideal cup for latte art ideal?

Cups come in all colours and shapes and are now made by countless manufacturers. The success of latte art can depend on the cups used, but it does not have to.

Basically, it can be said that conical cups (which become wider towards the top) are better suited.
Ideally, the shape of the cup should be such that the base has no sharp edges and the side walls have a more rounded profile, so that the flow in the cup can be adjusted as desired. Ideally, the surface in the cup should be smooth.
The fact that the cup opens more towards the top also provides more surface area on the coffee, which means more space for latte art. :)

The Egg Series from Loveramics are cups that meet all these requirements. This is certainly one of the reasons why these cups are used for the official latte art championships.

Cups that become narrower towards the top, on the other hand, are not at all suitable for latte art. This is because the crema becomes denser towards the top and the pouring of latte art is much more challenging. On top of that, you also run out of space, even for the simplest patterns.

The egg series from Loveramics. Certainly one of my favourite cups for Latte Art.

The tulip series from Loveramics. Works really well for Latte Art too

Cups with this shape are not suitable for Latte Art.

Is bigger always better?

The size of the cups is negligible. Cups with a capacity of between 150ml and 250ml are best. It is often assumed that latte art is easier in larger cups, but in my opinion it is more challenging to position the pattern perfectly with good contrast in a large cup.

Furthermore, the taste should not be forgotten. Especially if the coffee was roasted very lightly, the taste would be very mild in larger cups.

Alternatively, you could use a double espresso as the basis for the larger cappuccino in the >250ml cup.
The desired taste can also be achieved in this way too.

Final conclusion?

In conclusion, it can be said that several cups are suitable for Latte Art. Cups that are wider at the top tend to be better than others, but with more trained skill it is possible to pour Latte Art into almost any vessel ;)

Personally, I feel extremely comfortable pouring my favourite latte art into the Egg Series from Loveramics.

In Switzerland, these cups are available here.