Skip to content
FREE Gift with Purchase of X54 Home Grinder + 20% Off All Burrs! Free Shipping to Contiguous USA on Orders $100+
FREE Gift w/ X54 Home Grinder Purchase + 20% Off All Burrs! Free Shipping - Contiguous US Orders $100+
Mahlkönig The First 100 Years

The First 100 Years: The 1960s

In the 1960s, traditional farming methods were still widely used, but there was a gradual shift towards more industrialized agricultural practices. This period also saw a cultural shift, with coffeehouses becoming central to the Beat Generation and the emerging counterculture. These venues often hosted poetry readings, live music, and political discussions, making them important social hubs.

Mahlkönig Milestones:

Mahlkonig acquires Zwanger grinders

Mahlkönig and Favorite employed a "Two-Brand Strategy" where products were offered under both brands. These products were then marketed and sold to Mahlkönig customers as well as Zwanger customers. This strategy followed the acquisition of the Zwanger company, along with its brand "Original Favorite," based in Pinneberg, which was Mahlkönig's biggest competitor at the time.

VTA Shop grinder from Zwanger

The future Mahlkönig classic, the shop grinder "VTA," comes from the Zwanger house and is added to the portfolio: "VTA = Vertical, Bag (in German: Tüte) Holder, Automatic." Initially offered to Tchibo as the model "Robusta," with a special color for Tchibo being mint.

Brasilia grinder new designs

New design lines for electric coffee grinders, such as the Columbia (available as a poppy seed grinder, featuring a two-tone and scratch-resistant casing) and the Brasilia (available as a grain or flaxseed grinder), have been developed.

Grinder for large scale roasters

A grinder specifically engineered for large-scale roasters was crafted in limited, small batch productions.

The Coffee Industry:

coffee marketing trends

Coffee advertising in the 1960s reflected broader cultural trends, emphasizing convenience and modernity. Television commercials became a powerful medium for coffee marketing.

advancements with espresso machines

Technological advancements played a crucial role during this era, particularly with the development of more efficient and reliable espresso machines. These innovations allowed espresso-based drinks to spread beyond Italy, contributing to the growing popularity of café culture worldwide. There was a tension between the demand for high-quality coffee and the push for higher production volumes. This sometimes led to compromised quality, particularly with the rise of instant coffee.

coffee chains gain popularity

The 1960s saw the beginnings of coffee chains gaining popularity. While Starbucks, for example, wasn't founded until the 1970s, coffee houses and chains like Dunkin' Donuts were becoming more common.

Previous article The First 100 Years: The 1970s
Next article The First 100 Years: The 1950s
  • The First 100 Years
    September 20, 2024

    The First 100 Years: The 1990s

    Coffee in the 1990s became more than just a beverage—it became a symbol of lifestyle and social identity. The “third wave” of coffee culture, which emphasized coffee as an artisanal product, began taking shape, especially in urban areas of the...

    Read now
  • Athens Coffee Festival
    September 11, 2024

    Get Ready for Athens Coffee Festival

    Athens Coffee Festival is 2024 is just around the corner! Join us from September 28th to 30th at Technopolis city of Athens for an exciting experience as Mahlkönig, will have its very own booth, represented by our amazing partner Equipme....

    Read now
  • The First 100 Years
    September 3, 2024

    The First 100 Years: The 1980s

    The 1980s saw the rise of the specialty coffee movement, which began in the late 1970s and gained momentum throughout the 1980s. This movement focused on high-quality, artisanal coffee with an emphasis on unique flavors and distinct profiles. The Specialty...

    Read now