I've learned that just as wine glasses influence the wine consumption experience...coffee cups influence the coffee consumption experience. This is especially true for espresso. The little amount of coffee is prone to rapid heat loss and the crema will dissolve almost immediately if in a wide-mouthed cup.About these cups:1. I was surprised by the heavy weight of the cups and saucers. These are very cute yet substantial.2. To my delight, there is something magical about these cups. They are fun to hold, you can feel the warmth of the espresso, yet the espresso holds the heat long enough to enjoy. Further, these bring out a smoothness in the espresso I was not experiencing in two other cups.3. Was unsure of the brown but it is a deep coffee color and looks great next to or on my machine.Highly recommend.