How to Turn Coffee Grounds Into Reusable Espresso Cups

You’ve just pulled a shot of espresso and cleaned your portafilter — now you’re left with a pile of damp coffee grounds. Most people toss them in the trash or compost, but what if those grounds could become part of your coffee routine in an entirely new way?

The answer is yes: spent coffee grounds can be turned into sturdy, functional, and surprisingly stylish espresso cups. One designer has already done it, and his creation is now in use across Europe.

What Is Kaffeeform?

Kaffeeform is the name of a line of reusable coffee cups and saucers made from recycled coffee grounds. Developed by German designer Julian Lechner, these cups are designed specifically for espresso — and they look and feel unlike anything else on the market. Each cup has its own distinct marbled texture, thanks to the natural variation in the coffee grounds used.

Lechner first developed the concept after wondering how to give used coffee grounds a second life beyond compost. His goal was to create a circular product that could turn a daily waste product into something both beautiful and useful.

How Are the Cups Made?

Creating a Kaffeeform cup is a multi-step process. Lechner collects used espresso grounds from Berlin coffee shops — the exact number isn’t stated, but the material is real post-brew waste. These grounds are then combined with natural glues, wood particles, and other biodegradable binders. The exact formula is proprietary, but the result is a malleable, resin-like material.

This mixture is injected into molds to form the shape of the cup and saucer. Once cured, the final product is solid, waterproof, and — importantly — heat-resistant enough for serving hot espresso. The cups are also dishwasher safe, making them practical for everyday use.

The resulting cup isn’t just durable; it’s also distinctive. No two Kaffeeform cups are identical, due to the natural variance in the used coffee grounds. That means your cup carries its own visual fingerprint, based on the specific blend of coffee residues it was made from.

Where Can You Get One?

Kaffeeform cups are currently available for purchase in Germany. A single cup with its matching saucer retails for €25. If you’re buying two sets, the price drops slightly to €40 for the pair. The design first gained attention at the Amsterdam Coffee Festival, where it was showcased as an innovative example of coffee waste reuse.

The cups have a faint, pleasant coffee aroma, adding to the sensory experience — though not enough to affect the taste of your espresso. They’re aimed squarely at espresso drinkers, with a shape and volume tailored for a standard single shot.

While not yet widely distributed outside of Germany, the project has generated international interest as a model for sustainable product design in the coffee world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Kaffeeform coffee cups made from?

Kaffeeform cups are made from a mixture of used coffee grounds, natural glues, wood particles, and other biodegradable binders. The coffee grounds are collected from Berlin cafes and combined with other materials to create a durable, moldable composite.

Are Kaffeeform cups really made from recycled coffee waste?

Yes. The primary material in Kaffeeform cups is real, post-brew coffee grounds collected from cafes. These grounds are combined with natural binding agents to form a stable, reusable material suitable for making cups and saucers.

How much do Kaffeeform cups cost?

A single Kaffeeform cup with saucer costs €25. Buying two sets (two cups and two saucers) costs €40. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer or event.

Can you put Kaffeeform cups in the dishwasher?

Yes. Kaffeeform cups are dishwasher safe, making them practical for everyday use. They are also heat-resistant and waterproof, designed to handle regular use with hot beverages like espresso.

Where can I buy a Kaffeeform cup?

Kaffeeform cups are currently available in Germany. They first appeared at the Amsterdam Coffee Festival and have since gained attention across Europe, though they may not yet be widely available internationally.

Do Kaffeeform cups smell like coffee?

Yes, the cups have a faint, pleasant coffee aroma, due to the used coffee grounds used in their production. This doesn’t affect the taste of the beverage but adds to the sensory experience of using them.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Espresso

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright citrus and floral notes in espresso, or their Brazil Queen Manor for a nutty, chocolatey base. Both roast profiles complement the earthy tone of Kaffeeform cups. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.