Which Are the Best Disposable Cups for Hot Drinks?
Drinking iced beverages in the hot summer is a very enjoyable experience, but what about in the cold winter? I think you really need a cup of hot chocolate to replenish your energy and warmth. Whether you are indoors or outdoors, a hot drink can instantly soothe your cold hands and shivering body. Whether you are a beverage shop, a restaurant, a school cafeteria, or hosting a private gathering at home, choosing disposable cups for hot drinks is very important. While enjoying your hot drink, it also provides you with convenience.
What are Disposable Cups for Hot Drinks?
Disposable cups for hot drinks are designed to serve and insulate hot drinks like hot coffee, hot chocolate, and hot tea. The material used to make cups for hot drinks must can withstand high temperatures and provide insulation to keep the drink warm while protecting the user’s hands from the heat.
Types of Disposable Cups for Hot Drinks
There are many types of disposable drinking cups on the market. When you need them for serving hot drinks, you need to choose the proper type. Let’s take a look at the types of hot drink cups.
Paper Cups
Generally, there are 3 types of paper cups selling on the market, they are slightly different and have different uses.
Single-Wall Paper Cups
Single wall paper cups are made from a single layer of paperboard, normally lined with a layer of plastic coating to prevent leakage. This kind of paper cup is only suitable for short-term use and doesn’t have too much insulation effect.
Double-Wall Paper Cups
As the name suggests, double wall paper cups are made from two layers of paperboard. This kind of paper cup provides better insulation than a single wall paper cup, keeping the drink warm while protecting the consumer’s hands from heat.
Ripple-Wall Paper Cups
Ripple wall paper cups have a corrugated outer layer, this design provides additional insulation and a secure grip and has better thermal insulation performance than the above two types.
Foam Cups
Polystyrene foam cups are made from expanded polystyrene, famous for its excellent insulation. These are the best insulated disposable coffee cups among all the single-use cups, you can use them to serve hot drinks and maintain the temperature for a long time inside the cup, but the touch of the cup is still cool. However, this material is not eco-friendly and is gradually banned in many countries and regions.
Plastic Cups
The plastic cups for hot drinks are heat-resistant plastic and are less common for hot drinks. Can be used for cold drinks and hot drinks, but its insulation properties are poor compared with paper and foam cups.
Compostable Cups
With the advocacy of environmental awareness around the world, there are two main types of compostable cups on the market:
PLA Cups
PLA cups are made from a plant-based plastic that is compostable, this material is eco-friendly and provides a similar level of insulation as traditional plastic cups, so not very suitable for hot drinks.
Bagasse Cups
Bagasse cups are made from sugarcane byproduct, which is 100% biodegradable and compostable. This material is both environmentally friendly and has good thermal insulation properties.
Differences Between Hot Drink Cups and Cold Drink Cups
When you choose disposable cups for hot drinks or cold drinks, you should the their difference, below are the main points:
Material and Insulation
- Hot Drink Cups: Often use a double wall or thicker material to make the cup, this could maintain the drink temperature and protect the consumer’s hands.
- Cold Drink Cups: Generally not insulated and made to prevent condensation, often use plastic, paper, or bagasse cups.
Lid Design
- Hot Drink Cups: The lids are designed for hot drink cups usually with a small drinking hole, people sip the beverage from this hole, this design helps to maintain heat and prevents spills.
- Cold Drink Cups: Often have larger openings or straw slots for easy access to the beverage. If the beverage has ice or whipped cream on the top, you will need the dome lids.
Durability
- Hot Drink Cups: The cup needs to be more durable to handle the heat without warping or becoming too hot to hold.
- Cold Drink Cups: The cup needs to resist condensation and be sturdy enough to hold ice or cold liquids.
Environmental Impact
- Hot Drink Cups: The disposable hot chocolate cups often need to be coated with a layer of non-biodegradable material to prevent leakage.
- Cold Drink Cups: Generally use PET material disposable cups, this is recyclable, but not biodegradable.
Usage Context
- Hot Drink Cups: As the name suggests, hot drink cups are more suitable for hot drinks, such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and other warm drinks.
- Cold Drink Cups: As the name suggests, cold drink cups are more suitable for cold drinks, such as iced coffee, iced tea, sodas, smoothies, and other chilled beverages.
Things to Pay Attention When Purchasing Hot Beverage Cup
When you purchase a hot beverage cup for a hot drink, you need to consider the below factors before making the decision.
Insulation
The insulation property for hot drinks is important because you want to keep the hot drink temperature as long as possible and the cup needs to prevent burns to the hands.
Materials
There is a wide range of choices for hot beverage cups: paper, plastic, foam, and plant fiber, they have their specific features, and you need to choose the proper one that fits your needs. Not sure? Contact our expert here.
Lid Type
Choosing the lid type needs to be based on the drinking you are selling. For example, you can use the same lid for drinking tea, hot chocolate, and coffee. But, if you want to drink hot milk tea with boba, you will need different types of cup lids.
Cup Size
Depending on the drink portion you supply, you can order the corresponding cup size from your supplier
Cost
The cost of hot drink cups is different according to different cup materials and cup sizes. Generally, wholesale disposable cups will help you reduce costs.
The Application of Disposable Cups for Hot Drinks
The hot beverage cup is versatile for many types of drinks and can be used in many places.
Coffee Shops: Drinking iced coffee in the winter can make your stomach uncomfortable, so a cup of warm coffee is very good for you. It can not only refresh you but also warm your stomach, killing two birds with one stone.
Offices: What do you plan to have for afternoon tea in the winter? How about a cup of hot chocolate? So, buying some disposable cups for hot chocolate in your offices is important, they will make you enjoy your afternoon tea time.
Events and Catering: Maybe you are the large banquet service provider, you will also need the cups for hot drinks in the events and catering to serve all the guests present.
Choosing the best disposable cups for hot drinks in winter is very important, whether you need them at home or in your beverage shop. Eco March is the manufacturer of eco-friendly and compostable cups in China, we only supply quality products, so if you need any molded fiber packaging, do not hesitate to contact us.
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John Q
John Q is Eco March’s Product Manager. With 5 years of prior experience in the food industry after graduating from university, he has been an integral part of Eco March. He excels in creating and developing eco-friendly food packaging products with a keen focus on enhancing the consumer experience.
