About Jacobs
Jacobs represents one of Europe's most prestigious coffee brands, bringing German roasting expertise to coffee lovers for over 125 years. From the historic roastery in Bremen to cups enjoyed across continents, Jacobs has built its reputation on quality at accessible prices - a philosophy established by founder Johann Jacobs in 1895. The brand's flagship Krönung blend has become one of Europe's best-selling coffees, demonstrating how German precision and quality can create genuinely beloved products. The Jacobs story begins in 1895 when Johann Jacobs (1869-1958) opened his first specialty shop in Bremen, Germany, selling coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, and biscuits. From the start, Jacobs emphasised quality at affordable prices - a positioning that would define the brand for generations. In 1907, Jacobs established his first roastery in Bremen, pioneering the concept of delivering pre-roasted coffee directly to customers' doors. This innovation removed the need for customers to roast their own beans, making quality coffee more accessible to everyday households. The brand's reputation grew rapidly. By the 1920s, Jacobs coffee was being served in luxury hotels, prestigious restaurants, and aboard transatlantic steamers. This premium positioning established Jacobs as a coffee for discerning tastes whilst maintaining accessibility through direct retail channels. The combination of quality and value proved irresistible to consumers. Innovation continued through the twentieth century. In 1957, Jacobs launched its first instant coffee - Mocca Press - meeting growing consumer demand for convenient coffee without compromising on the Jacobs taste profile. Walther Jacobs's son Klaus joined the company in 1962, bringing fresh energy to product development, packaging, and communications. Under Klaus Johann Jacobs's leadership from 1970, the company expanded into new fields. It merged with Swiss chocolate company Interfood in 1982 to form Jacobs Suchard and acquired American confectioner Brach's Candy in 1987. The brand's ownership has evolved through major industry consolidation. Kraft Foods acquired Jacobs Suchard, and the coffee business later became part of Mondelēz International. In 2015, Jacobs became a cornerstone of Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE), formed as a joint venture between Mondelēz's coffee division and D.E Master Blenders 1753. This partnership created the world's largest pure-play coffee company with annual revenues exceeding €5 billion. In December 2019, JDE merged with Peet's Coffee to form JDE Peet's. The company went public on Euronext Amsterdam in May 2020, raising $2.5 billion at a $17.3 billion valuation. The Jacobs product range spans multiple coffee formats to suit different brewing preferences and occasions. Ground coffee remains central to the offering, with various roast profiles from mild to extra strong. Whole bean options cater to those with grinders who prefer freshness. Instant coffee provides convenience without requiring equipment. Coffee capsules compatible with major pod systems deliver single-serve convenience. Jacobs also produces filter coffee formats optimised for drip machines. Krönung represents Jacobs' flagship range, commanding devoted followings particularly in German-speaking markets. The balanced flavour profile, careful blend selection, and consistent quality have made Krönung one of Europe's bestselling coffees. Various Krönung variants address different preferences - from mild to intense roasts, ground to whole bean, filter to instant. In the UK market, Jacobs competes within the competitive instant and ground coffee segments. Whilst less dominant than in Germany, the brand offers European quality coffee at competitive prices. UK retailers stock Jacobs alongside other international coffee brands, with the German heritage providing differentiation in a market often dominated by British and Italian brands. Jacobs coffee is available across UK retailers. Major supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Asda stock selected Jacobs products. Speciality retailers and ethnic food stores often carry wider ranges. Online retailers provide access to the full product portfolio. Prices typically position Jacobs as mid-market - more premium than basic own-brand instant but accessible compared to artisan roasters. When comparing Jacobs to UK competitors, the brand offers Central European flavour profiles that may differ from British preferences shaped by Nescafé or Kenco. Against Italian espresso brands like Lavazza, Jacobs provides different roast characteristics. German coffee tends toward balanced, smooth profiles rather than intense darkness. For UK consumers exploring beyond typical British brands, Jacobs offers an accessible entry to continental coffee traditions. For UK coffee drinkers seeking quality coffee backed by over 125 years of German roasting expertise, Jacobs delivers consistent flavour at reasonable prices. Whether you prefer the convenience of instant, the freshness of ground, or the precision of capsules, Jacobs offers European coffee heritage accessible through UK retailers. Using Grocefully to compare Jacobs prices ensures you find the best deals on these continental coffee products.