Innovation from tradition Over 150 years of expertise

Our shade tree project

Together with five coffee cooperatives and our long-standing partner Fairtrade, we plant shade trees between the coffee plants. They not only provide vital shade, but also have a positive effect on the microclimate, coffee plants, people and biodiversity, depending on the species. For every pack of our Bio Gustoso, Selección Honduras and Selección Peru coffees sold, we plant a shade tree.

Dartford Café Du Monde Ltd. member of the Group

The political times in Europe may be stormy, but for Darboven it is important to set the course for the future with a steady hand. Last but not least, we welcome Café Du Monde Ltd. from Dartford to our group of companies in 2018.

Sustainability report

In addition to the commitment to the highest quality, social engagement and ecological responsibility are an important part of J.J. Darboven's corporate philosophy. With the Sustainability Report 2018, we want to provide a uniform framework for the various efforts that we have initiated and successfully built up over the years in the areas of ecological, economic and social responsibility.

New roaster in Sauerlach

We rely on our locations in Germany and abroad. With an investment of over seven million euros in our southern location in Sauerlach, we are showing that our heart is not just in Hamburg and that we have our eyes on the future. With the most modern profile roaster currently in Europe, the Bavarian master roasters can produce gently, sustainably and with the high quality standards of J.J. Darboven.

150th anniversary

J.J. Darboven celebrates its 150th anniversary - with a Senate reception in Hamburg City Hall, an anniversary exhibition, special editions and much more. A small grocery store in Hamburg has developed into an internationally active trading company that will continue to stand for the successful combination of tradition and innovation in the future.

H.E.L.P.

To mark its 150th anniversary, J.J. Darboven launches the Honduras Education Life Project, or H.E.L.P. for short, under the motto "Helping people to help themselves". Together with the raw material supplier OLAM, Darboven helps more than 600 small farmers to develop economically.

Inauguration of the new administration building

The new administration building at the company's headquarters in Hamburg-Billbrook is opened in March 2016, just in time for the company's 150th anniversary.

Launch of the Cocaya brand

New cocoa variety: With the launch of the Cocaya drinking chocolate and cocoa from J.J. Darboven is being reinterpreted.

Dublin becomes member of the Group

The expansion course will continue in 2013. J.J. Darboven Ireland Limited becomes the 11th subsidiary to join our group of companies. Located on Dublin Bay, J.J. Darboven Ireland offers its own typical Irish roast in addition to the well-known Darboven coffee, tea and cocoa brands. True to our credo: "Enjoyment is close to the people".

Gourvita GmbH becomes part of the group of companies

J.J. Darboven takes the step into the digital age. Since 2004, coffee, espresso & co. have been just a click away: customers can now order their favorite drinks in the online store www.gourvita.com online shop.

Poland branch established

The opening in Poland follows in 1993. The subsidiary in Rumia has been growing steadily ever since, even outside of coffee. An own riding academy, B&B and many other beautiful projects have been implemented since then.

Cooperation with TransFair

As early as 1993, J.J. Darboven began cooperating with the non-profit organization TransFair and introduced a coffee product based on fair trade. Fairly traded coffee comes directly from small farming families in the producing countries, excluding middlemen. TransFair guarantees a minimum price for the harvests.

J.J. Darboven s.r.o. founded in the Czech Republic

After the major political upheavals at the end of the 1980s and beginning of the 1990s, Europe grows together. Darboven also continues to grow and founds its first subsidiary in the Czech Republic.

Foundation of IDEE OFFICE COFFEE SERVICE

With the founding of IDEE Office Coffee Service, the group establishes a specialized subsidiary for the growing market of high-quality hot beverages for offices.

How espresso came to Germany

The brand Alfredo Espresso was created after the company's master roasters were trained to roast Italian espresso in Bologna. Today, Alfredo Espresso is one of the most popular brands in the out-of-home sector and combines Italian joie de vivre with German craftsmanship.

Albert Darboven becomes the face of the company

What Nikolaus Darboven (1902-1985) had already started in 1963, Albert Darboven successfully continued in 1987: the company boss appeared personally in TV commercials. The commercial, in which he presents an elderly lady with flowers and a packet of IDEE KAFFEE for her birthday, makes him the best-known face in the coffee industry.

The EILLES brand is taken over

Joseph Eilles founded a delicatessen in 1873, just 7 years after Johann Joachim, which quickly became a purveyor to the Bavarian court thanks to its excellent coffees. The brand EILLES brand still stands today for the best coffee and teas, which have made it into top gastronomy. The takeover by J.J. Darboven in 1987 was therefore more a marriage of two companies that had been passionate about tea, coffee and cocoa since their foundation.

Mövenpick cooperation

Since 1980, J.J. Darboven has been cooperating with the traditional Swiss brand Mövenpick has enjoyed a successful partnership to this day. The range of high-quality coffees, which has grown considerably over time, continues to enjoy growing popularity, as confirmed time and again by various awards.

Acquisition of the Bavarian coffee roasting company Burkhardt & Imhof

J.J. Darboven continues to grow with the purchase of the Bavarian roasting company Burkhardt & Imhof. The plant in Sauerlach near Munich, which is still in operation today, can be traced back to this acquisition, as can the well-known Bavarian brand Burkhof.

Commissioning of the current plant in Billbrook

The ever-growing company opens the new plant in Hamburg-Billbrook, where it is still based today and sells its products worldwide.

100th anniversary & foundation of subsidiary in the Netherlands

Just in time for the company's 100th anniversary, the first foreign subsidiary is founded in Amersfoort in the Netherlands.

Albert Darboven joins the company

He is still one of the best-known faces when it comes to Hamburg's long coffee tradition. After his training and many years at the origin, Albert Darboven actively joined the company in 1960. He still determines the fortunes of the company today.

Invention of KOFF

Due to a lack of green coffee, J.J. Darboven once again had to resort to producing an alternative during the Second World War. This is found in a tasty substitute drink, which is christened "Koff" ("As long as you lack IDEE KAFFEE, take Koff, then you have chosen well!"). The drink is based on a variation of the recipe that had already helped coffee lovers survive the hardships of the First World War.

Expansion

The company continues to grow. The brothers Arthur and Caesar Darboven expand coffee sales to the food service industry.

Registration of the IDEE KAFFEE coffee brand

The "Idee" trademark was registered back in 1915. Legend has it that Arthur Darboven invited his family to an open exchange of ideas at the coffee table. Unfortunately, we no longer know who came up with the creative idea for Germany's oldest coffee brand. But this coffee table impressively proved that coffee promotes ideas.

Founded by Johann Joachim Darboven

On March 21, 1866, Johann Joachim Darboven ventured into self-employment in Hamburg. In his store, he sells bread, milk and - unusual at the time - already roasted coffee beans. What else sets J.J. Darboven apart from others: The young entrepreneur later uses daily mail delivery to supply his customers with packaged coffee and sugar cut into cubes. A service that was enthusiastically received in the age of raw coffee beans and unwieldy sugar loaves.