Oslo · Norway
Solberg & Hansen
Solberg & Hansen is one of 6 Oslo roasters tracked on day9, in Oslo.
Since 1879 · Carl Solberg, Fritjof Hansen
Overview
Founded in 1879 by Carl Solberg and Fritjof Hansen, Solberg & Hansen is Norway's oldest and largest specialty coffee roastery, and a foundational name in the international specialty coffee movement. Erna Knudsen, who worked with the company, famously coined the term "specialty coffee" in a 1974 Tea & Coffee Trade Journal interview. Operating from their longtime Ryen roastery in east Oslo, they buy directly from farmers worldwide and roast with profiles refined over generations.
Known for
- Norway's oldest specialty coffee roastery (1879)
- Birthplace of the term "specialty coffee" (Erna Knudsen, 1974)
- Nordic Roaster of the Year 2012
- Mathallen concept store in Oslo (opened 2012)
- Black Coffee/Black Espresso line (collaboration with Norwegian metal culture)
Why it matters
Solberg & Hansen is not just historically important — they literally named the category. Their continued role as Norway's leading specialty roaster, combined with deep producer relationships and technical knowledge accumulated since 1879, makes them a benchmark for what European specialty coffee aspires to.
Production
- roastery location
- Ryen, Oslo (Enebakkveien 125)
Café
This roaster operates a café.
Recognitions
- Nordic Roaster of the Year (2012)
- Origin of the term 'specialty coffee' (Erna Knudsen, 1974)