Our history
The story of Solberg & Hansen begins in a grocery store in Oslo in 1879. A fateful meeting between two coffee-thirsty gentlemen, Carl Solberg and Fritjof Hansen, laid the foundation for one of Norway's most knowledge-intensive companies to see the light of day.
Solberg & Hansen's history
Did you know that Solberg & Hansen is a pioneer in the Norwegian and international coffee industry?
A FATED MEETING
Carl Solberg from Østre Toten travelled to Christiania to work for merchant Bernt J. Olsen. Here Carl met another man who shared his interest in good coffee and profitable trading.
regular supplier to Mrs Stockfleth
When Mrs Astri Stockfleth took over the running of the Danish Coffee Association, she chose Solberg & Hansen as her coffee supplier. Mrs Stockfleth's business grew to become Oslo's leading specialist coffee and tea shop in the 1930s. The business also changed its name to Astri Stockfleth. Today known as Stockfleths.
IMPORT AND SALE OF TEA
Solberg & Hansen expands and starts importing and selling tea. Today, our tea range consists of over 100 different teas.
New distillery at ryen
Together with Nicolaisens Elektriske Kaffebrænderi AS, Solberg & Hansen moved to a new building at Ryen in Oslo. At the time, Solberg & Hansen had the third floor as its roastery and head office. We're still here, but now Solberg & Hansen fills the entire building.
The word "speciality coffee" was used for the first time
Erna Knudsen was born in Bodø in 1921. 53 years later, she changed the entire coffee industry with just one word. In 1974, Erna was interviewed by the Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, and it was during this interview that she famously introduced the term "speciality coffee" to describe the quality coffee she sold.
coffee shop culture emerges in oslo
After a decade characterised by bad times in the coffee industry, coffee shops came to Norway. The owner of Solberg & Hansen at the time, Trygve Klingenberg, was an early adopter.
Many people spoke highly of coffee from Solberg & Hansen, which is why both the very first coffee shop in Østbanehallen and several other successors to Solberg & Hansen came to buy freshly roasted coffee.
SPECIALITY COFFEE ASSOCIATION EUROPE
The Specialty Coffee Association Europe (SCAE) is established and Solberg & Hansen was then and still is a major contributor to the organisation.
CUP OF EXCELLENCE
The Cup of Excellence (CoE) is established and Solberg & Hansen participates and wins several of the first auctions.
world barista championship
Together with the Specialty Coffee Association Europe, Solberg & Hansen is launching the World Barista Championship.
The first world championship is held in Monte Carlo in Monaco the same year. Norwegian Robert W. Thoresen won with the espresso blend "Half & Half" from Solberg & Hansen.
Robert W. Thoresen.
NORDIC ROASTER
Solberg & Hansen launches the Nordic Roaster competition. A competition created to promote the Nordic light, roasting style. The competition was held every year until 2019. In 2023, a new competition called Nordics Best Roaster was started, with the same premise.
First pre-packed bags of 250g
We see the need for 250 gram bags, suitable for direct sales to consumers. Until now, we have only sold coffee in 1kg and 2.5kg, and our retailers have packed the coffee in smaller bags in their own stores.
OPENS CONCEPT STORE IN THE FOOD HALL
On 12 October 2012, Solberg & Hansen's concept store will open in Mathallen Oslo. With only pure espresso and hand brew on the menu. Today, our concept store still specialises in hand-brewed coffee, but you can now also get a full espresso menu with milk, if you wish.
New and more sustainable profile
With an increased focus on sustainability, we recognise the need for a new profile and more recyclable materials in our packaging.
