You may think it’s a long-shot referring to the brand as ‘cup experts,’ but much of the company’s 13 years in existence has been dedicated to refining the perfect coffee cup.
Given their smooth and glossy coloured cups and mugs now hold short blacks and flat whites in the country’s best cafes as well as hospitality locations around the world, they might just have nailed the title.
Their timeless, placeless style is part of the appeal, a uniform cup in appealing colours that suits a variety of commercial (and plenty of private) interiors.
Established by Wellington-based Caffe L’affare founder, Jeff Kennedy and partner Bridget Dunn, Acme came into being because the pair decided they could do better than the imported cups they were using to hold their famed coffee. Two years ago, the company changed hands and is now run by Acme staffers Megan Wyper and Paddy Kennedy.
Though they haven’t changed those perfect cups and saucers, the pair are expanding. The first addition is a set of elegant tumblers designed to hold cold drinks.
Several years ago the brand worked with Keishiro Matsubara of the Maruasa Porcelain Factory in Tajimi, Japan on a rounded tumbler that became a favorite with wine and cooler coffee drinkers. The delicate style is indicative of the expertise of artisans in Tajimi, known as the ‘ceramic capital’ of Japan. Still family-run, the Maruasa Porcelain Factory has been in business for over 100 years.
Now, the brand has again worked with Maruasa on two straight-sided tumblers, a tall and short version. Both are glazed inside with either a milk (white) or feijoa (green) interior with a smooth, matte finish on the outside.
The new tumblers are thicker than the original, which makes them perfect for an iced coffee, beer, wine or cocktail, but they are perfectly suitable for both cold and warm drinks.
Perfect for entertaining at home, the porcelain is said to hold its temperature well.
