Roots

First there was a cup.

In 1775 there was a man called Kuisma, who was brewing some alcoholic beverages. He carved a cup, using the knowledge of his ancestors, to taste the homebrew. Later, the cup received the nickname HARAKKAKUPPI (The Magpie Cup), and became the first Kupilka style cup on record. That very cup is nowadays kept in a museum in Finland.

Over 200 years later, the Kaasinen family had a dream to move away from the hustle and bustle of the Helsinki capital area, and to live surrounded by the forests and lakes; and piles of snow during the winter times! They wished to establish a company with ethical values and ecological mindset, having gathered experience in making cups and bowls for 25 years. And so, it was decided – first the move to Eastern Finland, and then the start of the business in 1996 on a beautiful hill, Pyytivaara, in Kontiolahti. At that time, it was rather exceptional to think “green”, but the Kaasinen family was convinced that this was the way – the only way – to go. This is how the company became to be the very first in Finland to use green electricity (now called EKOenergy) in all its production. And who knows, maybe they were the first in the world too!

Meanwhile in the nearby town of Joensuu, the researchers in the Wood Technology Centre Puugia were developing completely new type of materials from the Finnish wood, later called KARELINE® Natural Fibre Composites. For years now, the Kareline materials have been produced in Pyytivaara’s beautiful hilltop by the Kaasinen family, together with the Kupilka series.

Knowing each other through the material development, Heikki Koivurova, the designer, and Kari Kuisma, the innovator, created the classic KUPILKA 21 cup in 2003. And that’s how Kupilka’s journey began… The old Magpie Cup has transformed to serve mostly coffee and tea, but every now and then it’s still used for its original purpose. After all, our favourite cup is meant to hold what we appreciate the most – back then, as well as now, and in the future…

Design

Heikki Koivurova

A Finnish industrial designer, known for his down to earth attitude and beautiful organic yet functional forms, is the main designer of KUPILKA dishware and knives. Originally from Finnish Lapland but now living in North Karelia – close to where the name Kupilka originates from. KUPILKA series combine Finnish traditions with the latest technology and the best materials. Functionality, top quality and aesthetics have been the main drivers in the design process. Whether in a group or alone, KUPILKA brings Nordic edge to your dining moments.

Kupilka Materials

Raw Material

Our very own Kareline® natural fibre composite: Eco-friendly cellulose fibres from certified Finnish forests reinforce the material with FDA approved polypropylene used as an adhesive. (Ratio: 50% wood-based cellulose fibres + 50% thermoplastic). Products from this material age beautifully yet keeping their qualities.

The development of Kareline® natural fibre composite material was initiated by Puugia, the Centre for Wood Technology in Joensuu, Finland.

Other

  • Blades: – Stainless steel by Laurin Metalli W.-NR.4110 (X55 CrMo 14), 57-58 HRC

  • K5 reindeer leather string: Reindeer leather is uniquely soft, thin and durable. It is also seen as an ethical alternative as the reindeer lives most of its life free and the leather is produced as a by-product of food production.

  • Packaging: Recycled cardboard

Kupilka Superior Qualities

  • Manufactured in Finland using EKOenergy

  • Carbon neutral production process

  • Stiff and strong structure

  • Unique appearance

  • Wide operating temperature (-30°C + 100°C)

  • Long life span

  • Easy to clean