Features
Usage & Compatibility
The 20 cl (6.5 oz) cardboard cup is the most common all-purpose hot beverage size in France: ideal for a traditional Italian cappuccino (160 ml) , a standard latte macchiato (200 ml), a lungo coffee, or brewed tea. It's a step up from the 12 cl espresso cup and a step down from the 24 cl XL latte. Perfect for takeaway, events, seminars, and shared office spaces .
FSC-certified cardboard material — sourced from sustainably managed forests (Forest Stewardship Council, an international NGO founded in 1993). The cardboard represents approximately 95% of the cup's total weight, ensuring good rigidity even when filled with hot beverages, and partial industrial compostability . Lined with a water-repellent , food-grade PE (polyethylene) film — compliant with EC Regulation 1935/2004 on food contact materials — ensuring that hot beverages remain hot up to approximately 90°C without softening.
understated Cafemalin printing on a monochrome background—neutral and professional, it doesn't distract from the contents. Delivered in a protective shipping carton—no compression, cups stacked neatly.
Compatibility: Hot drinks ~90°C — cappuccino, latte, Americano, tea, hot chocolate
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Frequently Asked Questions
20 cl — for which drinks?
size for hot drinks 150-200 mL :
- Traditional Italian cappuccino — 160 mL (1/3 espresso 40 mL + 1/3 hot milk 60 mL + 1/3 foam 60 mL). The 20 cl cup provides approximately 20% extra space to prevent foam from overflowing when serving.
- Standard latte macchiato — 200 mL (1 "staining" espresso, 250 mL milk + foam). The 20 cl cup is perfect when filled to the brim.
- Long coffee / espresso — 150-180 mL. Convenient size.
- Infused tea, herbal tea — 150-180 mL. Ideal for serving during a break.
- Hot chocolate — 180-200 mL. Excellent size.
For a 30ml ristretto espresso , use a 12cl (4oz) cup. For an XL latte or XL iced coffee , use a 24cl (8oz) cup.
Hot drink clothing — what is the maximum temperature?
Hot drinks up to ~90°C — the food-grade PE film starts to soften above this temperature. In practice:
- Extracted espresso coffee (~65-70 °C cup) — perfectly tolerated.
- Cappuccino / latte (milk heated ~60-65 °C) — perfectly tolerated.
- Standard brewed tea (85°C infusion → 75-80°C in cup) — tolerated.
- High temperature brewed green tea (95°C+) — wait 30 seconds after pouring to bring it back down below 90°C.
Caution : Boiling water (100°C) or direct steam can cause PE to sink and leave a plastic taste. Always cool slightly before serving.
Ecology — is the cardboard cup really sustainable?
A nuanced environmental assessment :
- PointPositive — FSC cardboard (managed forests), renewable resource vs fossil plastic, CO2 manufacturing balance ~50% lower than PS (polystyrene) cup according to ADEME 2020.
- Limitation — the PE (polyethylene) film that makes the cup water-repellent is difficult to recycle in practice (specialized industrial processes are required to separate the cardboard from the PE). In practice, the cup is either incinerated with energy recovery or sorted through the paper recycling stream , which rejects the PE layer.
- Best practice — strictly for "takeaway" use only (no multi-use). For service in restaurants and hotels, prioritize reusable porcelain tableware (Lavazza 160ml porcelain cups).
EU Directive 2019/904 "SUP" (Single-Use Plastics) gradually reduces single-use plastics — FSC + PE cardboard remains tolerated in 2026 but tends to be replaced in the medium term by bio-based cardboard + PLA or reusable deposit cups.
Recycling — which bin?
Yellow bin / paper recycling — the cardboard cup is theoretically recyclable in the standard paper recycling stream. The PE layer (water-repellent food film) is discarded during the pulping process (acid bath that separates cardboard fibers from the plastic material).
Before recycling :
- Empty and wipe the cup — no sticky hot drink residue.
- Compress to optimize volume in the recycling bin.
- Do not mix with plastic tableware (separate bin) or food waste (composter).
Note : Some local authorities automatically dispose of PE cardboard cups in household waste bins (limited recycling process). Check your local recycling guidelines.
Compatible with lid?
Standard 6.5 oz US (mouth diameter ~80 mm) — compatible with most universal 80 mm cardboard or PS takeaway lids. Note : Lids are not included in this set. See our coffee accessories range for compatible lids (subject to stock availability).
Other formats available?
Our Cafemalin of cardboard cups :
- 4 Oz (12 cl) — ristretto / short espresso. See the 12 cl x50 format.
- 6.5 Oz (20 cl) — cappuccino, latte, lungo (this product).
- 8 oz (24 cl) — XL latte, iced coffee, XL chocolate. See the 24 cl x50 format.
For service in the restaurant/hotel/café setting, choose Lavazza porcelain tableware.
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