Iconic coffee grinder in the city museum: A treasure from Zella-Mehlis!

Iconic coffee grinder in the city museum: A treasure from Zella-Mehlis!

A very special piece is currently being presented in the city museum in the shelling facility in Zella-Mehlis: the small wooden coffee grinder with the brand label “Hugh – Zella Mehlis”. This object was awarded Object of the Month in October 2025 and delights not only lovers of antique kitchen utensils, but also history lovers and coffee connoisseurs.

The coffee grinder is not only a decorative part of many kitchen cupboards or attics, but has also found its place in the cellars of many households. More and more people are rediscovering them and using them to prepare freshly brewed coffee. Because crushing coffee beans is not just an art, but also a question of taste. Freshly ground coffee simply has a completely different quality than pre-ground beans. This is one reason why hand-operated mills like the Hugh are always so popular.

The history of coffee

But how did coffee come to have its permanent place in society? The popular drink originally only became widespread in Europe in the 17th century and was initially a treat for the wealthy. Over time, however, coffee became accessible to the wider population and became a popular national drink. In the beginning, the beans were crushed with mortars until the first coffee grinders appeared in the early 18th century. These hand mills were a true innovation and have hardly changed fundamentally to this day.

Coffee grinders through the ages

From hand-operated devices with conical grinders to modern electric models, the coffee grinder has gone through many developments. Originally, table mills intended for commercial purposes were usually made of cast iron. Over time, however, wooden models emerged that were more suitable for private use. From around 1850, lap mills developed that could be comfortably held between the legs. These were usually made of wood or, more rarely, metal or ceramic.

The world of coffee grinders has changed significantly in the last few decades. The devices are often artfully designed and are intended to be more than just functional. Many of the retro models are of questionable quality, but the classic hand mills are still very popular. They are not only suitable for home use but also perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. They are still in production today, although the electric models that became popular in the 1960s increasingly dominated the market.

With its presentation of the Hugh coffee mill, the city museum not only draws a link into the past, but also invites visitors to experience the history of coffee and its preparation up close. In times of sustainability and a return to tradition, grinding coffee continues to enjoy great importance and is worth a visit to the museum to reminisce over a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

You can find more information about the coffee grinder and its importance on the website in southern Thuringia, GUMV and on the detailed one Wikipedia page.