Here’s Why You Can’t Use Your Favourite Copper Mug for Coffee

Can you really use a copper mug to pour in your coffee? The other day I was in the kitchen making coffee and came across a copper mug that I had bought a long time ago – I caught myself thinking if I can use it as my new favourite coffee mug. By doing research I’ve found some interesting facts about copper mugs. Let’s go over and find out whether it’s safe to use a copper mug for coffee.

Can you really use copper as a mug for coffee?

Yes, you can use a copper mug for coffee as long as the inside of the mug is lined with nickel-containing material such as stainless steel which eliminates the possibility of copper exposure and toxicity. Coffee can dissolve copper and this can potentially cause poisoning. Stainless steel doesn’t alter the taste of coffee and they’re overall great for maintaining safety. 

The impact of coffee on copper mugs 

Research contacted by ABD (Alcoholic Beverage Division) State of Iowa advise against using copper mugs or plates for food or drinks that have pH lower than six. To put things in perspective these are a couple of drinks and their pH level:

• Cold water: 7
• Coffee: 5
• Cold milk: 6.7-6.9
• Tea: 2.9-4
• Coke: 2.7

So this means that is safe to use a copper mug for cold water and maybe cold milk, but the acidity level in coffee and tea are too high; the odds are that the taste of your brew will be spoiled. (Coffee’s acidity is such that you need to know how to sprinkle it on your lawn grass). Plus, indigestion with a certain amount of copper over a short time can cause serious health problems including poisoning. 

Why do many use copper mugs? 

Let’s go over a bunch of reasons many use copper mugs or cups:

• Copper is a superior thermal conductor, meaning that it quickly adapts to the temperature of the drink. 
• In fact, it adapts 400 times faster than a typical glass or mug. 
• Copper mugs became a huge hit in the 40s with Moscow Mule (a new cocktail in the US at the time) being served in such mugs
• Entrepreneurs who were struggling to sell beer, ginger, vodka and copper mugs came up with the Moscow Mule combining all these products.
• Recent research suggests that keeping water in copper mugs or cups kills off bacteria and sterilises the water.
• Drinking water from a copper cup or mug can also reduce inflammation and help with thyroid, weight loss and blood pressure.

When should you use copper mugs? 

It’s a good idea to use unlined copper mugs for cold brews.

Why not make Moscow Mule the proper way with a copper mug that’s going to keep it chilled for a long? Or you can even make any other cocktail and use your copper mug. 

Here are 3 cocktails that are best served in copper mugs:

• Whiskey ginger mule
• Classic Margarita
• Sweet Surrender

Drinking water out of a copper mug is another great way to use your mug, considering the benefits mentioned above. 

It’s no good using it for acidic brews including coffee and tea unless they’re lined with stainless steel. There are other materials that are better for coffee and other acidic drinks.

Here are 5 great materials for coffee mugs:

• Ceramic: it’s widely available, affordable and it doesn’t spoil the taste of coffee
• Stoneware: it’s aesthetically pleasing and resistant to chipping
• Glass: it’s great for cold coffee and affordable
• Stainless Steel: it’s probably the best option for travel
• Paper: Affordable, portable and disposable 

Interestingly, coffee pots (cezve/ibrik) made of copper are used to make Lebanese coffee. 

Because copper is an excellent thermal conductor, it cooks the coffee faster extracting more flavours and aroma. They’re lined with tin that ensures copper doesn’t dissolve and changes the taste of your coffee. 

How to clean a copper mug? 

You can simply hand wash it using washing-up liquid.

But if you happen to have more than one, pop them in the dishwasher. 

Be aware of ‘patina’ which are bacteria that develop on your copper mug over time giving it a green colour. To maintain it in perfect condition for longer I suggest you use Penny Brite Copper Cleaner, a special product for copper as well as stainless steel items to make them look new and shiny – it costs $14.95, but it’s worth it.

Alternatively, you can make your copper mug look shiny with everyday products that you’ll find in your cupboard or fridge.

Cleaning your copper mug with lemon and salt 

It’s well-known information that these two do wonder in terms of cleaning different kinds of surfaces. To clean your copper mug, slice the lemon, cover one side with salt and start rubbing your mug with the half lemon for about a minute or two. Rinse off the mug to remove any salt left on it.

Cleaning your copper mug with baking soda vinegar

This is another effective within-budget combo to clean your mug.

Mix two tbsp of baking soda with two cups of vinegar to create a paste that you need to apply on the surface of your mug. Let it work its wonders for a couple of minutes, rinse it off and dry it with a cloth. 

Can I use copper mugs for hot drinks? 

It’s not recommended to use copper mugs for hot drinks including coffee and tea. 

It’s a different story though if they’re lined with stainless steel which doesn’t dissolve and keeps the taste of your coffee pure. But as mentioned above you can use your copper mug for a refreshing cocktail – the aesthetic part of drinking your cocktail out of a copper mug is pleasing too.

Let’s wrap it up

Do you fancy a Moscow Mule? I don’t blame you, it’s a pretty refreshing cocktail that you can have all year round, and of course, it’s the perfect excuse to use your copper mug.