Julius Meinl: now and then
Julius Meinl represents Viennese coffee house culture around the world and combines tradition with a spirit of innovation. For over 150 years, our family business has been synonymous with the highest quality coffee and tea, as well as a complete, tailored service for the food service and hotel industry.
A culture which stands the test of time
With roots in the 19th century, we have grown through many social changes and technological innovations. However, the coffee houses of Vienna have always been bustling meeting places for artists and free thinkers and this continues today, as all kinds of people visit to read, write, work or simply to relax.
Through the years
1862 - now
1862
Julius Meinl I. opens a spice shop in downtown Vienna, where he sells green coffee beans, cocoa, tea, spices, rice and sugar.
1877
Julius Meinl I. revolutionises coffee roasting with a process he developed himself. The beans no longer come into contact with coal gases. For the first time, the coffee beans are free of aftertaste, while keeping their full, natural aroma.
1912
The company headquarters moves to today’s Julius Meinl-Gasse (the street was later named after Julius Meinl II in 1954) in the 16th district of Vienna, where you can still find it today.
1913
Julius Meinl is the largest coffee roaster of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and at the same time, the largest importer of coffee and tea in Central Europe, an economic area of 50 million inhabitants.
1924
Graphic designer Joseph Binder creates the Meinl logo, which becomes the iconic label for Meinl coffee and later, the trademark of the company.
1950
The Julius Meinl flagship store at Graben 19 in the City of Vienna is opened, remaining the number one location for premium specialties in Vienna to this day.
1962
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of our company, the “Jubilee” coffee blend is introduced.
1980
The premium Präsident coffee is launched.
2004
Famous Italian designer Matteo Thun relaunches the Julius Meinl logo and develops a Trend cup design based on the shape of the logo.
2008
During the 2008 European Football Championship, Julius Meinl builds the world‘s largest coffee house between the Natural History and Art History Museums on Vienna‘s Ringstrasse.
2009
Julius Meinl’s 1862 Premium coffee is launched for the restaurant trade. It is characterised by its exceptional taste, its unique design and its state-of-the-art technology.
2010
Trendy packaging designed by Matteo Thun is launched.
2012
Julius Meinl celebrates 150 years of delivering unrivalled quality and coffee expertise. The Julius Meinl Tea is relaunched under the name “East meets West”.
2015
The “Pay with a Poem” event is a global success.
2016
The new concept of Inspresso – the Inspiring Espresso capsules – is introduced in retail.
2017
Following a long family tradition of coffee craftsmanship, Julius Meinl launches “The Originals”.
2018
Julius Meinl expands its range of cold drinks with the launch of the Tea on the Rocks collection and the innovative Cold Brew coffee series.
2019
Julius Meinl Industrieholding GmbH is pleased to publish its first Sustainability Report.
2020
Julius Meinl launches its new INSPRESSO capsule range that consists of 7 different capsules made from a fully biodegradable material. This means another small step towards a better planet for us and our future generations.