Q: Why Heath?
A: If you're not drinking coffee out of a Heath mug, then you're not drinking coffee. Outrageous as that sounds, you can't deny the Sausalito based ceramic company is piping haute. Wondering why all the high dollar mug-hype?
Plainly put: Heath is beautiful.
The aim for many coffee professionals is to elevate the experience for the consumer, and Heath helps hit that mark. Andrew Barnett's Caffe Linea in SF serves up in Heath Ceramics, exclusively. Blue Bottle has a coffee-bar in the Heath Factory in SF, and may well be credited with starting the trend.
Restaurateurs are in on it, too. NOPA (also SF) and Son of a Gun (LA) plate their portions on Heath Ceramic dinnerware. Watch the server float your handmade Papardelli down to you in a heavy and gorgeous Rim Line Pasta Bowl and you're sure to tag the Instagram of your dinner "rustic" "handcraft."
Heath even has a wholesale line dedicated to outfitting the service industry with their goods. And for you newly weds - a registry, too!
The NotNeutral mugs (iconic of the Intelligentsia brand) were designed with the barista in mind. The shape of the handle and the bowl were specified to enhance perfect pours. Not Heath. They're just pretty. And while NotNeutral still has its place in the lineup, Heath has certainly widened the playing field - of mugs.
Already bored of seeing Heath everywhere?
LA-Based Coffee Bar Owners Charles Babinski and Kyle Glanville (of G&B Coffee and Go Get 'Em Tiger, and formerly of Intelligentsia) are always at the forefront. These two coffee-fellas helped design the NotNeutral cappuccino cup made famous by Intelligentsia, years ago. And you didn't hear it from me - but they both have serious have a man-crush on Ben Medansky, the accomplished and avant-garde LA ceramicist.
Visit one of their 2 locations (Downtown, or Larchmont), and enjoy a shot of espresso served in what can only be described as a work of art.
When I'm around town, I sure like taking my coffee in a beautiful mug "for here." So "here's hoping" that Heath stays in vogue. I'm a fan.
In this photo: Stack Mug from the Heath Rim Line. 8 oz. & 3" dia $30 at www.heathceramics.com
photo cred: Allison Raber