If you’ve ever sat down at a traditional kopitiam in Singapore, you’ll know the feeling. The kopi comes served in a thick-walled glass cup, often with a saucer beneath it. The glass is warm to the touch, the kopi is dark and aromatic, and the cup itself feels like a small piece of history in your hands. These thick glass cups are more than just vessels for coffee — they’re symbols of tradition, durability, and Singapore’s kopi culture.
But why have thick glass cups always been used, when mugs, ceramic cups, and even disposable cups exist? The answer lies in a blend of practicality, culture, and nostalgia. Let’s take a closer look.
The Origins of the Kopi Glass Cup
The use of thick glass cups in kopitiams can be traced back to the early 20th century when Hainanese immigrants established coffee stalls across Singapore and Malaysia. These stalls needed cups that were affordable, widely available, and strong enough to withstand daily use in busy hawker settings.
Porcelain was expensive and fragile. Enamel mugs chipped easily. Thin glassware cracked under hot liquids. The solution? Thick-walled glass cups that could take the heat, survive frequent handling, and last through years of use.
Soon, these cups became the default vessel for kopi, to the point where the image of kopi in a glass cup became inseparable from the drink itself.
Practical Reasons Behind the Choice
There are several very practical reasons why thick glass cups became the standard for kopi stalls.
1. Heat Retention
Kopi is brewed strong and served piping hot. The thick glass walls act as insulation, keeping the coffee warm for longer while preventing the outer surface from becoming unbearably hot to touch.
2. Durability
In a busy kopitiam, cups are washed and reused countless times a day. Thin cups would break easily, but thick glass cups could handle the heat, clinking, and occasional drops without much issue.
3. Transparency
Unlike ceramic mugs, glass cups allowed customers to see the kopi inside. This mattered because kopi orders are highly customised — from kopi-O (black coffee with sugar) to kopi-C (coffee with evaporated milk). The stallholder could immediately confirm the right order by looking at the colour and opacity of the brew.
4. Affordability
Glass cups were relatively inexpensive compared to porcelain. For hawkers working on small margins, this affordability made them the obvious choice.
The Iconic Look and Feel
Ask any Singaporean, and they’ll tell you there’s something deeply nostalgic about drinking kopi from a thick glass cup. The ridged design, the weight in your hand, the slight fog on the inside of the glass as hot kopi meets cool air — it all contributes to the experience.
Even though many kopitiams today use ceramic cups decorated with green floral patterns, the glass cup has never truly disappeared. It remains a visual icon of traditional kopi culture, instantly recognisable across Southeast Asia.
Kopi Culture: Cups as a Social Symbol
The kopi cup is more than just a container — it’s a social symbol. In old kopitiams, sitting with friends around a table, each person with their kopi glass in front of them, was a communal ritual. The cup represented not just coffee, but conversation, relaxation, and community.
Hawkers too recognised the importance of the cup. A clean, sturdy, transparent glass cup reassured customers of hygiene and quality. Over time, these cups became an inseparable part of the kopi identity.
Comparisons: Glass Cups vs. Other Options
Today, kopi can be served in ceramic mugs, takeaway bags, or styrofoam cups. But each has its pros and cons compared to the thick glass cup.
Ceramic mugs keep drinks hot and are more common now in modern kopitiams. However, they hide the drink, making it harder to distinguish kopi orders at a glance. Plastic bags are convenient for takeaway but lack the tactile and visual charm of glass. Styrofoam cups are used by kopi stalls catering to office crowds, but they’re disposable and lack durability.
The thick glass cup, on the other hand, combines functionality, durability, and tradition — making it uniquely suited for kopi.
Why the Tradition Still Matters Today
In a world of fast-changing coffee trends, from cold brews to nitro-infused lattes, the kopi glass cup stands as a reminder of simplicity. For many, it’s not just about the taste of kopi, but the entire sensory experience: seeing the coffee swirl, feeling the weight of the cup, sipping from its thick rim.
It’s also an important cultural anchor. Just as Italians have their espresso cups and Japanese kissaten have their porcelain mugs, Singapore has the humble thick glass kopi cup — a piece of heritage that tells the story of how locals adapted coffee to their own rhythms and needs.
The Future of Kopi Cups
Will kopi glass cups continue to survive in the age of sustainability and café culture? It seems likely. While takeaway cups may dominate the modern landscape, the traditional kopi glass cup remains beloved in dine-in kopitiams.
In fact, the rise of nostalgia-driven cafés has revived appreciation for these old-school cups. Some cafés even source vintage kopi glasses to serve their brews, celebrating their role in Singapore’s coffee history.
Conclusion
Kopi served in a thick glass cup isn’t just about practicality — though it is durable, heat-retaining, and affordable. It’s about tradition and identity. These cups tell the story of Singapore’s kopi culture, shaped by immigrants, sustained by hawkers, and cherished by generations of coffee drinkers.
So the next time you find yourself in a kopitiam, take a moment before sipping. Notice the cup in your hand, feel its weight, and remember that this humble glass has been at the heart of kopi culture for decades. It’s not just a vessel. It’s history you can hold.
☕ Barista’s note: As someone who works with coffee every day, I can tell you — the vessel matters. Kopi in a thick glass cup just tastes different. Maybe it’s the heat retention, maybe it’s nostalgia, but either way, it’s an experience every coffee lover should try at least once.
