A demitasse (/ˈdɛmɪtæs/; French: "half cup"), demi-tasse,[1] or espresso cup is a small cup used to serve espresso. It may also refer to the coffee served in such a cup, though that usage had disappeared in France by the early 20th century.[1]
A demitasse typically has a capacity of approximately 60–90 millilitres (2–3 US fl oz), half the size of a full coffee cup (a tasse à café is about 120 millilitres (4 US fl oz)).[2] The Italian Espresso National Institute recommends serving espresso in a white china cup holding 50−100 ml.[3] They are typically ceramic and accompanied by matching saucers, but some coffeehouses and china companies also produce brightly decorated varieties.[4][5] Another type of demitasse has a glass cup set into a metal frame, called a zarf.
Demitasse cups are small because they usually serve espresso, which is a stronger, more concentrated coffee, best served in smaller portions.