People usually start their days with a cup of coffee or tea — and they would certainly enjoy their hot beverage more from a creatively designed cup.
MagiCup is a mug-designing Instagram store. It offers cups with various designs, colors and sizes, magic cups that change color with heat, and travel mugs.
It was established in May 2018. Customers can customize their own cups with their desired designs.
The co-owner of the store, Futoon Saif, explained the inspiration behind creating the store from her background in interior design.
“When I was a student in the interior design field, I realized how good designs have an affect on our lives; they affect everything around us, even the small products we use daily like mugs.
“Me and my partner Majed started MagiCup because we know how lovely it is for people to start their morning with their favorite cup that is designed.”
She said that mugs will always sell no matter what. “We choose to design cups because these are the things that are never going to be replaced by technology, and people for sure won’t stop using cups, so we want to keep on making wonderful designs for people to start their days with.”
Designing mugs is quite a process.
“In the beginning, we start by deciding which kind of mug we are going to use, the normal sized or small sized one, or the travel mug. After that, we start making the design that is going to be printed on the mug, and when we finish the design we create a mock-up for it to make sure it’s going to look good. The last step is that we print the design on a custom paper and print it on the mug itself.”
MagiCup wants to expand its reach and become a global online store.
“We will not open a physical store, but our store is going to be an online store that will serve you much better than a physical one. It is also an advantage that we make our store come to you rather than you come to it.”
She explained the connection the designs on the cups have with their owners. “I learned that designing is storytelling and I just want to make our clients day happy by designing their stories on their lovely cups.”
Saif said that MagiCup strives to achieve customer satisfaction.
“We take our customer’s idea and add our own twist to it. Even if it was a ready-made picture or design, we adjust it, consult and follow up with the customer,” she said.
Start-up of the Week: MagiCup aims to become a global online store
Start-up of the Week: MagiCup aims to become a global online store
Where We Are Going Today: Adani Bar in Jeddah
- The two-way cheese sandwiches, paired with either strawberry or blueberry jam, play on sweet and savory contrasts
Located in Al-Rawdah, Adani Bar is a small cafe founded on Yemeni tea and coffee traditions, with a menu that mixes the familiar with personal interpretation.
The focus here is clearly on Adani tea. The classic version blends milk with tea and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, saffron, cloves and habaq. It is served hot or cold and the balance remains steady in both forms.
Other drinks lean toward fusion, including the London, which combines Yemeni Haraz coffee with cinnamon paste, milk and maple syrup, and ya caramela, in which Adani tea is paired with a Haraz espresso shot and caramel sauce.
These drinks show experimentation, though some combinations feel busier than necessary and may not appeal to those who prefer simpler tastes.
Food options are limited, but show some variety nevertheless. Sandwiches such as the ultimate tuna — with sun-dried tomatoes, olives and tahini mayo — and the establishment’s turkey offering — a regional take on turkey and mozzarella — are filling without being heavy.
The two-way cheese sandwiches, paired with either strawberry or blueberry jam, play on sweet and savory contrasts.
And do not miss the lamb kebab, a new menu addition served both as a plate and a sandwich and served with yogurt, tahini and accompaniments that stay close to traditional flavors.
Desserts follow a similar approach. I tried the basboosa with Adani ice cream, which connected well with the cafe’s core theme. I also tried dibs and tahini brownies, both of which were rich and satisfying, boasting layered elements that made for generous portions.
