Is it Safe to use Copper Mugs for Drinking?
Moscow mule is a very popular cocktail that has gained popularity ever since it was invented in the 1950s. The cocktail not only tastes amazing but is also fairly simple to prepare given its popularity. You only require a few ingredients including vodka, lime juice and ginger ale to prepare it. But another crucial component you cannot miss out when serving Moscow mule is a copper mug. Moscow mule was originally served in a copper mug and is still served in Moscow mule mugs made of copper only. These mugs help with retaining the cold temperature of the drink and enhance its taste.
But since copper is a heavy metal, it may become a concern for a lot of people as consumption of copper in large quantities may result in copper toxicity. Today, in this article we are going to discuss some of the practices to follow if you prefer to serve your drinks in traditional Moscow mule mugs only.
In the present time, people are extremely cautious of what they put in their body and thus with traditional Moscow mule mugs, it is important to keep in mind the pros and cons of it. This is crucial because copper is a heavy metal and may leach into the fluid which is stored in them. When these drinks are consumed, excess metal along with the drinks gets into the body increasing the content of copper.
Is it harmful to drink from copper cups?
Instead of drinking from an unlined mug, start drinking from a mug which is lined with stainless steel, nickel or food-safe lacquer. The lining of these materials helps with restricting the metal to come in direct contact with the drink and thus prevents the leaching of copper.
As your lined mugs start getting older, you may notice some wear and tear and some scratches in the metal lining. But this is a small issue which you need not worry about as it will not result in the transfer of huge quantities of copper from your mug into the drink. But if you notice a large chunk of the metal lining has been worn off from the mug, you may have to change your copper mug.
You should also keep in mind that copper is very much present in the human body and is very important for the day to day functioning of the human body. Plus, it is one of those minerals which the human body cannot synthesize on its own and thus is important to be consumed in small quantities.
Things to keep in mind when using copper mugs
The two most important factors which determine if your copper mug is safe or not are as follows:
1. The lining of the mug- It is the lining of the mugs which prevents the heavy metal from leaching into the content of the mug. This may harm your body sometimes as large quantities of copper may affect the well being of the human body. Tin, stainless steel and nickel lining help in preventing any chemical reaction between the drink and the mug.
2. The temperature of the drink- Unlined copper mugs are at a higher risk of increased metal leaching due to some chemical reaction between the mug and the drink. This is more common when an acidic drink or a hot beverage is poured into the pure copper mug. This is the reason why ceramic mugs are perfect for drinking hot drinks and glass mugs are suitable for serving acidic beverages.
While keeping in consideration the above factors it can be said that stainless steel or nickel lined mugs are considered safe to be used on a regular basis. It is better to avoid using unlined copper mugs.
