The Little Cup That Changed the World

Italy once designated espresso a necessity by law. In 1911, amid social unrest and rising prices, the Italian government capped the cost of a cup of espresso to ensure it remained affordable for workers. The reasoning was simple: espresso was not merely a beverage, but a social and cultural staple – a few sips of concentrated energy that fueled the nation’s productivity and connected people from all walks of life. From the dockworker in Naples to the banker in Milan, everyone could stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the bar, down their shot in two or three gulps, and return to the day’s business. It was democratic, ritualistic, and woven into the national identity.

Over a century later, espresso remains the heartbeat of Italian coffee culture and an ambassador to the world. In Italy, it’s rarely about lingering, it’s about the purity of the moment: a tiny porcelain cup, crema the color of caramel, and a burst of flavor that seems to distill life’s pleasures into twenty-five seconds.  Beyond its borders, espresso has inspired entire café movements, from the bustling third-wave coffee bars of Melbourne to the artful cortados of Brooklyn. Yet whether you drink it at a sun-washed counter in Rome or a trendy café in Portland, the essence remains unchanged: espresso is less a drink than a declaration – a bold, concentrated affirmation that good things are meant to be savored, even quickly.

A ceramic espresso cup inspired by the iconic Anthora paper cup captures New York City’s coffee heritage in a lasting, reusable form – the classic blue-and-white design, but built to be sipped and savored for a lifetime.

Dedicated to preserving the legacy of the iconic Anthora coffee cup – a true symbol of New York City’s street culture, corner delis, and daily rituals – NY Coffee Cup celebrates its enduring design, cultural significance, and place in coffee history, both in NYC and beyond.