Imagine the aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans. That rich scent fills the air around the Alte Kaffeerösterei. This place is more than just a building. It is a testament to Bonn’s long and fascinating coffee tradition.
Bonn might not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of coffee culture. However, this city on the Rhine has a surprisingly deep connection to the beloved beverage. The story of Alte Kaffeerösterei is a part of that history. It shows how coffee became an important part of Bonn’s identity.
Back in 1837, a significant moment occurred. The coffee roastery “A. Zuntz sel. Wwe.” was founded in Bonn. In those days, “sel. Wwe.” meant “the late Amschel Zuntz’s widow”. This roastery was not just a local business. It grew to become a supplier to royal houses. They served the House of Sachsen-Coburg and the Prussian Emperor.
The Zuntz brand expanded. Branches opened in Berlin in 1879 and Hamburg in 1889. The Alte Kaffeerösterei played a key role. It helped establish Bonn as a hub for coffee excellence. Even today, the “A. Zuntz sel. Wwe.” brand exists under Dallmayr Kaffeerösterei in Munich. Its origins remain firmly rooted in Bonn.
Another prominent coffee name emerged in Bonn. In 1895, Eduard Schlingschröder founded the coffee import roastery “Ed. Schlingschröder” in Bonn-Castell. This roastery operated until 1980. This shows that Bonn was a place where coffee businesses could thrive.
The building we see today stands as a reminder of this rich past. The Alte Kaffeerösterei witnessed the rise and fall of coffee empires. It saw how tastes and trends changed over time. It is a physical link to a time when Bonn was at the heart of German coffee production.
The story of “A. Zuntz sel. Wwe.” is particularly interesting. Nathan David started a coffee and colonial goods business in Bonn’s “Bonner Judengasse” in 1783. His daughter Rachel married Amsel Herz Zuntz in 1813. After Amsel’s death, Rachel took over the business with her son Leopold. They renamed it “A. Zuntz sel. Wwe.”.
Leopold expanded the business. The roastery became known for its “kandierter Kaffee”. This was coffee roasted with added sugar to caramelize the beans. The company grew. It opened branches across Germany and became a purveyor to royalty.
In 1925, the iconic logo of the “Dame mit dem Schutenhut” was created. This logo was a tribute to Rachel Zuntz. It depicted a woman in Biedermeier style with a bonnet-like hat.
Sadly, the Nazi era brought ruin to the Zuntz business. It was seized from its Jewish owners. Bombing and looting further destroyed the company. After the war, shortages made it difficult to recover.
In 1951, Alois Dallmayr from Munich took over the Berlin branch. In 1971, they acquired the entire company. Though much of the original “Chateau Gothique” was torn down, the facade with the “Dame mit dem Schutenhut” logo and the inscription “A. Zuntz sel. Wwe – Bonn – Berlin” remains. It stands protected as a historical landmark.
The Alte Kaffeerösterei is more than just bricks and mortar. It represents the entrepreneurial spirit of Bonn. It embodies the city’s connection to a global commodity. The next time you sip a cup of coffee, remember the story of Bonn’s Alte Kaffeerösterei. Consider the journey that bean took. Appreciate the tradition it represents.