Demitasse Explained
A demitasse (; French: "half cup"), demi-tasse,[1] or espresso cup is a small cup used to serve espresso. It may also refer to the coffee served in such a cup, though that usage had disappeared in France by the early 20th century.
A demitasse typically has a capacity of approximately 60–, half the size of a full coffee cup (a tasse à café is about 120ml).[2] The Italian Espresso National Institute recommends serving espresso in a white china cup holding 50−100 ml.[3] They are typically ceramic and accompanied by matching saucers, but some coffeehouses and china companies also produce brightly decorated varieties.[4] [5] Another type of demitasse has a glass cup set into a metal frame, called a zarf.
Demitasse cups are small because they usually serve espresso, which is a stronger, more concentrated coffee, best served in smaller portions.
See also
Notes and References
- The Word demi-tasse. Clifford H.. Bissell. Modern Language Notes. 61. 5. May 1946. 340–343. The Johns Hopkins University Press. 10.2307/2908949. 2908949.
- News: What is a Demitasse Cup?. About.com Food. 2017-01-17. 2017-01-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118053155/http://coffeetea.about.com/od/glossaryofterms/g/Demitasste.htm. dead.
- Web site: The Certified Italian Espresso and Cappuccino . Istituto Espresso Italiano.
- Web site: Demitasse cup and saucer, "Imari" pattern . 2010-03-10 . Yale University Art Gallery . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110720122624/http://ecatalogue.art.yale.edu/detail.htm?printable=1&objectId=115845 . 2011-07-20 .
- Web site: Haviland Demitasse Teacup and Saucer . https://web.archive.org/web/20110721062453/http://mlibart.tempe.gov/code/emuseum.asp?emu_action=searchrequest&newsearch=1&moduleid=1&profile=objects¤trecord=1&searchdesc=Haviland%20Demitasse%20Teacup%20and%20Saucer&style=single&rawsearch=id%2F%2C%2Fis%2F%2C%2F50548%2F%2C%2Ffalse%2F%2C%2Ftrue . dead . 2011-07-21 . 2010-03-10 . Tempe Historical Museum.
