Our heritage

For more than 250 years, our name has been synonymous with exceptional coffee and tea. Now, we’re building on this unrivalled legacy to become the best blenders in the world – continually enhancing the way you enjoy your coffee and tea; wherever you are.

All of our coffee and tea brands are blended to match specific tastes, moods and buying preferences. Some have long pedigrees; others have been recently developed by our Master Blenders to meet changing consumer tastes.

You can find out more about each of our brands here.

1753 - Grocery shop in Joure

Our story began in a small village in the Netherlands in the year 1753 - around the same time that coffee houses were becoming popular places to meet to discuss the important topics of the day. Egbert Douwes opened a grocery store in Joure, selling mostly coffee, tea and tobacco.

1780 - Easy access to the waterways

Egbert Douwes decided, like other merchants at the time, that Joure's easy access to the waterways would allow trade to flourish, and he was right.

1920 - Introducing Douwe Egberts seal

The original shop was called The White Ox – De Witte Os, in Dutch – but the family renamed the company Douwe Egberts as its trade in coffee and tea expanded, along with its reputation. As the business developed, its headquarters were moved to Utrecht, and in 1920, the iconic Douwe Egberts seal – now incorporated into the company's logo – was introduced.

1940 - Expansion into Western Europe

In the 1940s, the business extended into Western Europe and in the decades that followed the company acquired leading coffee makers in France, Spain, Denmark, and the Netherlands; as well as the British tea maker, Hornimans.

1978 - Douwe Egberts acquired by Sara Lee

In 1978, Douwe Egberts was acquired by Sara Lee, and as part of this global food and beverage organisation, the company moved into new markets. Innovation drove the business forward, and in 1998 the organisation expanded into Brazil. The Out of Home business also expanded rapidly during the 1990s, with the Cafitesse liquid coffee system becoming widely popular in offices, health care organisations, hotels and other public buildings.

2001 - Launch of the Senseo coffee system

It was a pioneering partnership with Philips that led to the launch of the revolutionary single-serve coffee system, Senseo, in 2001, and in 2010 the company moved into the portioned espresso market with the launch of L'OR EspressO capsules.

2011 - D.E MASTER BLENDERS 1753

In 2011, it was decided to separate the international coffee and tea business from the Sara Lee organisation, and in June 2012, the new company, with a name that links our past to our future, was listed on NYSE Euronext - D.E MASTER BLENDERS 1753.

Our heritage

1753 - Grocery shop in Joure

1780 - Easy access to the waterways

1920 - Introducing Douwe Egberts seal

1940 - Expansion into Western Europe

1978 - Douwe Egberts acquired by Sara Lee

2001 - Launch of the Senseo coffee system

2011 - D.E MASTER BLENDERS 1753

Business

Share price €12.16

Follow us

Contact us

Careers