#2. MY HOLY GRAIL DRINKING GLASSES
Water. Latte. Coke Zero. Poppi. Orange juice. Cocktail. Frequent glass breaker friendly and reminds me of my roots.
For most of our lives, we never have to think about buying cups & glasses. Then we move out into a dorm or an apartment and all of a sudden realize that is not such an easy decision. You see grown men still using plastic solo cups to avoid the decision to your favorite thrifter who is always circling out different colored vintage glassware.
It also comes down to size preference, types of beverages, & cupboard space.
Growing up, I had a set of pokemon themed dishware that my dad got me when I was probably about 5 and it was EVERYTHING to this 90s kid. I still have the whole set complete with pikachu shaped fork and spoon. I can’t seem to get rid of it.
My parent’s got divorced when I was 4 so when I spent time with my dad it was Pokemon at his house and when I spent time with my mom and my grandmother who lived with us — it was Duralex.
I’ve tried a lot of different glassware. I’ve collected at thrift shops. I’ve bought standard ones from target. I too have owned the ultimate classic Pokal ikea set - its hard to be less than $1 a glass. But - I’m also incredibly clumsy.
My first apartment in New York was a 6 floor walk up on the corner of Sullivan and Bleeker. Our bathtub was in our kitchen and it was an experience. I remember one day I was rushing out to class at NYU and I shattered a glass on the floor. Cursing and picking up the sharp pieces, I was searching in the old uneven floorboards for tiny sharp shards that I didn’t want to cut my roommates feet. We were as I have always been a shoes off household. I made a silent vow for no more dangerous glasses and ordered some Duralex. I needed tempered glass.
You’ve probably drank out of them - maybe water or maybe a latte on a sidewalk cafe. When you tilt up the cup you’ll see the etched in “made in France” at the bottom.
It’s an ingrained memory in my childhood of drinking out of those cups. I would always twist the cup around in the sunlight to read the phrase each time. And now I’ve decided that if I were to lose all of my things in a fire, or move to another country again and have to get rid of most things - these will be my first order for any apartment and home. My holy grail drinking glasses.
But - as I’ve expanded in their tempered glass world. I now own their bakeware & glass bowls.
So what the heck is tempered glass?
It’s still glass but made at over 600 degrees celsius which makes it 2.5x stronger than normal glass, more shock resistant from going from ice cold water to a hot tea, and (my favorite) if it breaks it breaks into large pieces so you’re not gonna get tiny flecks of glass in your floor boards and hopefully not feet.
Duralex actually invented the process in 1954 with the tumblers that I have - the picardie. Duralex still makes all of their products in France (hence the writing on the bottom) and is pretty much a heritage brand at this point having been founded in 1945.
AND - when it breaks you just recycle it!
Duralex® Products are 100% recyclable, glass is made to be remade. Glass is one of the most recyclable materials on the planet. Our products are made of soda-lime glass created from sand, soda ash and limestone. Completely lead and cadmium free. Our glass, unlike boron-based cooking or pharmaceutical glass, is fully recyclable. - Duralex site
According to their site they also source their materials as close to the factory as possible, have a particular furnace to reduce energy consumption, and have a particle filter to reduce the fumes from their factory. Obviously, I am not a scientist and have not visited the factory to see for myself but I appreciate the consciousness in their production cycle.
It’s just a glass…
Sure, but I like the shape of the Picardie for water. I need the massive 18oz Unie for water and iced coffees in the summer. I’ve used the gigogone for espressos when I had my old machine in London (had to leave there cause of the plug situation and have been hunting for a new one for a while now).
The Picardie shape stacks like a dream and they now make really fun colors if you’re a maximalist.
But also, I think the simple things are some of the most important. Blame it on being neurodivergent or blame it on my Libran love of aesthetics - but if something doesn’t feel good or look good — I just can’t.
Then, as someone who is always overthinking - you’re always thinking about safety and all the what ifs. So I need things that aren’t going to give me anxiety if they break. Especially as the proud mom of a sweet puppy with soft paws. This checks all my boxes.
And this time I guess the NYT & Wirecutter agree with me.
Duralex has lived with me for my whole life thus far and I don’t see a reason to pause. One less decision.
Have you ever used one of these? Had a cheeky latte at a coffee shop in one? Had a stack of them brought to your table with a water carafe?
Do you have a holy grail drinking glasses? Or! Do you have an absolute favorite glass or cup that you will never get rid of? I’d love to hear yours!
xx Bailey
My holy grail drinkware is so similar! I have the Bormioli Rocco Bodega glasses in both the 17oz and 12oz sizes. They're tempered glass as well and the 17oz is a tad shorter than the Duralex Unie which gives it a profile that I love. I use the shorter ones in a similar way when I'm having a more casual glass of wine or a negroni.
https://bormioliroccous.com/collections/drinkware?gf_280112=271623880856
Totally agree! We’re a duralex household and find having different sizes covers every single need… water, wine, espresso bevs, juice, and now the itty bitty ones we once used for *gasp* shots are the perfect size for our one year old. I also like to use them to catch tea bags now that straight liquor is never on the menu 😄