Philosophical Reflections About Coffee: How Your Mug Shapes the Experience

Does your coffee ever taste different depending on your mood, the weather, or even the mug you drink it from? I believe it does. Coffee is never just about the beans—it’s a full sensory experience shaped by our surroundings, mindset, and daily rituals.

Most of us stick to a familiar coffee routine that keeps things consistent. But a couple of years ago, I started experimenting with one simple variable: the coffee mug. My fiancée brought a collection of handmade pottery mugs into our home, and I quickly noticed that each one made my coffee feel different. There’s something about pottery—its earthy weight, texture, and handmade feel—that adds a unique touch to the coffee experience.

The Magic of Pottery Mugs

Every morning, when I open the cabinet (see photo below), I choose my mug based on how I’m “vibing” that day. Now, I’ve become a full-on advocate for pottery mugs and their ability to enhance your daily coffee ritual.

Some mornings it’s one of my fiancée’s mugs, other mornings it’s one of my own. Inspired, I started making my own mugs under the guidance of Emily, my pottery instructor at a local studio. It’s been three months of shaping clay into something functional and beautiful. My creations are still a work in progress—you can probably spot my slightly chunky mug in the photo—but the process has been incredible.

Discovering Emily and Her Unique Handmade Mugs

Then came a serendipitous moment: I bumped into Emily at Millarville Farmers Market, and again at the Inglewood Night Market. That’s when I realized she’s not just a talented instructor—she’s also a gifted potter. Her handmade mugs are functional, earthy, and entirely unique, with the same magic that first made me fall in love with pottery mugs. That’s when it hit me: why not share these beautiful mugs with our Crickle Creek Coffee community?

Meet Emily—The Artist Behind CerEMics

Emily, the “em” in cerEMics, left the corporate world to pursue pottery. For nearly four years, she’s been teaching locally while refining her own style. She favors neutral, toasty earth tones and prioritizes function in her designs, with the mission of ridding the world of boring mass-produced mugs—one pot at a time.

To start, I’ve commissioned three one-of-a-kind mugs from Emily exclusively for Crickle Creek Coffee. Each is handmade with care and now available to our coffee-loving community. This is just the beginning—together, we hope to grow a full line of Crickle Creek mugs and even espresso cups.

Your Coffee Ritual, Elevated

Do you have a favorite mug that makes your coffee taste better? If you’re curious, check out Emily’s handmade mugs on our website—we’d be thrilled if one of them became part of your daily coffee ritual.

Warmly,
Alejandro