Oliver Berg/Getty Images
- Weck jars are becoming increasingly popular among coffee and matcha drinkers.People say they like the 19.6-ounce jar's unique size, chubby shape, and sleek look.Weck, a legacy German brand, originally marketed the jars for food preservation, not as glasses.
Alisha Sholtis was scrolling through TikTok when she noticed multiple creators drinking coffee from one specific jar.
None of them, though, would reveal where they'd bought it.
"Everyone was trying to gatekeep this cup," Sholtis, 39, told Business Insider. "Nobody would respond in the comments when I asked what size it was, or if they would share a link. I was like, 'What the heck?'"
Turns out, the Michigan resident was looking for a 19.6-ounce Weck jar. It's chubby, made of glass, and embossed with Weck's strawberry logo.
It's also one of the hottest drinkware items on the market.
Alisha Sholtis
Move over, mason jars
Initially, Sholtis was drawn to the aesthetic of a squat jar that could show off her daily coffee creations.
"If I can make something fun at home, I will, and it's as simple as buying a cup," she said. "Then I don't want to go out and spend $9 on a coffee from Starbucks. I'm going to make it at home and save money."
Others on TikTok have shared similar sentiments.
When one person told TikToker @bynakkie to "just use a mason jar" for her daily matcha, she responded: "mason jar no chub 😔."
In other words, the Weck jar's distinct shape and trendy look were more compelling than the convenience of any other glass.
Oliver Berg/Getty Images
Though the German brand might seem shiny and new, Weck was actually founded in 1900. From day one, the brand's glassware was designed to preserve food, not carry drinks. That's why they're topped with glass lids, rubber rings, and metal clamps.
Today, the brand sells its products at retailers like Crate and Barrel and on its own website. Some shoppers are buying its glasses in bulk.
Sholtis bought a pack of six on Amazon, and Valentina Arce, a 24-year-old from Florida, told BI she bought 12 jars in different sizes on the Weck website. The most popular size, 19.6 ounces, is sold in packs of six for $23.40.
"I was seeing influencers make their matcha in these jars, and I thought they were super cute and chunky and different than your basic cup," Arce told BI. "I kept an eye on them until I purchased some myself."
Who needs another cup? Apparently, lots of people.
You might not see anyone fighting over Weck jars in stores like they did for Stanley cups last year. Still, one look at social media shows just how popular the glassware is.
On TikTok, a search for #CoffeeTok results in numerous videos featuring influencers making mouth-watering drinks in thick Weck jars. The company has even embraced the trend, posting photos of its jars being used as coffee cups more frequently on Instagram.
TikTok
Of course, some say buying bulk Weck jars and other popular cups is wasteful. People who collect Stanley cups in multiple colors have been widely criticized, and brands like Hydro Flask have been questioned for making mini versions of their bottles and other accessory products.
Similarly, some are now saying there's no need to buy Weck jars when you could reuse jars that contained food or something else.
Arce tried that, though. She told BI that the strawberry jam jars she previously reused were ultimately too small for her drinks, and their metal tops would rust over time.
So, when she saw Weck jars being used as matcha cups, she felt inspired to use them to store fruit, make puddings, and even meal prep.
Sholtis also argues that Weck jars are functionally better than the mason jars and compostable plastic cups she used to drink from.
"The glass used for mason jars is thinner and sweats," Sholtis said. "Weck jars are thicker, and I like the way that they fit in my hand. They also have wider brims, so you can easily put a lot of ice in there. The whole coffee experience is better based on your cup."
Controversial or not, Weck fans are sticking with their coveted cups — at least, until the next trendy glass comes along.
