Editing Melitta

{{Short description|German coffee company}}
{{About|the coffee company|the bee genus|Melitta (genus)|similarly spelled terms|Melita (disambiguation)}}
{{expand German|Melitta (Unternehmen)|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023|cs1-dates=y}}
{{Infobox company
| name   = Melitta Group
| logo   = Logo Melitta (Unternehmen).svg
| logo_size = 200px
| type   = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| slogan = 
| foundation     = 1908
| location       = [[Minden]], [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], [[Germany]]
| key_people     = 
| num_employees  = 3,736 (2014)
| industry       = Retail [[Coffee]] 
| products       = Coffees, coffee filters, small appliance (coffee makers etc.)
| subsid         = 
| revenue        = 1.325 billion € (2014)
| homepage       = [http://www.melitta-group.com www.melitta-group.com]
}}

[[File:Melitta-Zentrale.jpg|thumb|Melitta headquarters in Minden]]
[[File:Kaffeefilter.jpg|thumb|right|A Melitta coffee filter, containing ground coffee, in a single cup brewing holder]]

'''Melitta''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|ˈ|l|iː|t|ə}}) is a German company selling [[coffee]], paper [[coffee filter]]s, and [[coffee maker]]s, part of the [[Melitta Group]], which has branches in other countries. The company is headquartered in [[Minden]], [[North Rhine-Westphalia]].<ref name=business_observer_2010>{{cite web |last1=Walsh |first1=Alex |title=Filter Family |url=https://www.businessobserverfl.com/article/filter-family |website=Business Observer |access-date=21 February 2020 |language=en |date=25 March 2010}}</ref><ref>"[http://www.melitta.de/serviceadressen_en,311.html Service addresses] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403071115/http://www.melitta.de/serviceadressen_en,311.html |date=2009-04-03 }}." Melitta. Retrieved on August 12, 2009.</ref>

It is named after [[Melitta Bentz]] (1873–1950) who founded the company after she invented the [[drip brew]] paper coffee filter (German patent granted 8 July 1908). Bentz later ran the company as a [[family business]].<ref name=nytimes_2018>{{cite web |last1=Moses |first1=Claire |title=Overlooked No More: Melitta Bentz, Who Invented the Coffee Filter |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/obituaries/melitta-bentz-overlooked.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=21 February 2020 |date=5 September 2018}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Melitta teapot.png|thumb|This Melitta [[teapot]] was the model for the [[Utah teapot]] 3D rendering, a ubiquitous object in early computer graphics research]]
In 1908, Melitta Bentz, a 35-year-old woman from [[Dresden]], Germany, invented the first coffee filter, receiving a patent registration for her "Filter Top Device lined with Filter Paper" from the Patent Office in Berlin on 8 July. She founded the company bearing her name the same year.<ref>[http://www.melitta.com/melittahistory,159.html Melitta History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529223458/http://www.melitta.com/melittahistory%2C159.html |date=2013-05-29 }}, Melitta.com</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Total banal - genial!|url=http://www.spiegel.de/einestages/alltagserfindungen-a-947032.html |work=Spiegel Online |date=29 May 2008 |access-date=6 October 2015 }}</ref><ref name="Siems_2015"/>

In the 1930s, Melitta revised the original filter, tapering it into the shape of a cone and adding ribs. This created a larger filtration area, allowing for improved extraction of the ground coffee. In 1936, the widely recognized cone-shaped filter paper that fit inside the tapered filter top was introduced. The '102' became the most popular.<ref>{{cite web|title=Diese 15 Zahlen haben eine Geschichte: Kaffeefilter 102 |url=http://www.bild.de/ratgeber/2015/ratgeber/zahlen-mit-geschichte-allgemein-41043414.bild.html |work=BILD.de |date=25 May 2015 |access-date=6 October 2015 }}</ref>

During [[World War II]], Melitta paused production of coffee filters to work with the [[Nazism|Nazis]] to produce military supplies as part of a "National Socialist model plant."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-09-05 |title=Overlooked No More: Melitta Bentz, Who Invented the Coffee Filter |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/obituaries/melitta-bentz-overlooked.html |access-date=2025-04-25 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Between 1941 and 1945, the [[Concordia Porzellanfabrik]] was used by Melitta.<ref name="Ruisinger_1994"/> In 1951/1952 and 1957/1958, the Porta-Keramikwerke J. Brauers in Barkhausen at Porta Westfalica, Germany produced ceramic<!-- but not porcelain --> filters for Melitta.<ref name="Spiegel_1962"/> {{ill|Langenthal Porzellan|de|Porzellanfabrik Langenthal}} once also produced porcelain filters for Melitta.<ref name="Schweingruber_2023"/> The [[Porzellanfabrik Friesland]], founded in 1953 as part of the German Melitta group,<ref name="Siems_2015"/> and independent since 1991/1995, produced Melitta porcelain filters up to 2018. Since then, they continue to sell these filters under their own Friesland label,<ref name="Friesland_2018">{{cite web |title=Vom "Melitta" Kaffeefilter zum "Friesland" Kaffeefilter |language=de |trans-title= |date=2018-06-26 |publisher=[[Friesland Versand GmbH]] |url=https://frieslandversand.de/inspirationen/kaffeegenuss/vom-melitta-kaffeefilter-zum-friesland-kaffeefilter |access-date=2023-02-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228214816/https://frieslandversand.de/inspirationen/kaffeegenuss/vom-melitta-kaffeefilter-zum-friesland-kaffeefilter |archive-date=2023-02-28}}</ref> whereas Melitta itself switched to produce these filters in China.

Melitta continued to develop new techniques to improve the shape, performance, material and production process of its filter systems. In 1989, Natural Brown coffee filters made from unbleached pulp were introduced, which kept unwanted by-products from leaching into the environment.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Jolly |first=R. D. |last2=Thompson |first2=K. G. |last3=Winchester |first3=B. G. |date=1975 |title=Bovine mannosidosis--a model lysosomal storage disease |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/100 |journal=Birth Defects Original Article Series |volume=11 |issue=6 |pages=273–278 |issn=0547-6844 |pmid=100}}</ref> In 1992 Melitta developed an oxygen-bleaching process to produce white paper without chlorine. 

In 1996, the [[Miele]] Group established the [[Dongguan]] factory as a joint venture with Melitta, which became fully owned by Miele in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Production sites |url=https://www.miele.com/en/com/china-dongguan-factory-2315.htm |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=www.miele.com}}</ref>

In 1997, Melitta developed a filter with Flavor Pores, microfine perforations that filter out unwanted sediment, particles and oils{{Clarify|date=September 2018|reason=surely adding pores lets more, not less, through?}}. In 2002 Melitta added a second safety crimp to increase strength and durability. In 2007 bamboo Filters were introduced and the Flavor Pores filter was improved.

{{As of|2015}} Melitta Group KG employed 3,300 people.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 everyday things invented in Germany #5: The coffee filter |url=http://www.dw.com/en/10-everyday-things-invented-in-germany/g-18582961 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=15 July 2015 |access-date=13 September 2018}} (Select 5th item)</ref>

In the 2019 financial year, the group's turnover increased by 10 percent to almost 1.7 billion euros.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Melitta Geschäftsbericht 2019 - Home |url=https://report.melitta-group.com/geschaeftsbericht-2019/ |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=Melitta Geschäftsbericht 2019 |language=de-DE}}</ref> The number of employees grew to 5654.<ref>Hinweis in: [[Westfalenpost]] vom 18. August 2020, Seite ''Wirtschaft''.</ref>

In April 2020, Melitta announced that the company would be manufacturing nose and face masks as part of the [[COVID-19]] pandemic. The masks consist of a three-layer fleece and are produced worldwide. Melitta donates the first million masks to healthcare facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-25 |title=Melitta stellt ab sofort Millionen Atemmasken her - Melitta Corporate Site |url=https://www.melitta-group.com/de/Melitta-stellt-ab-sofort-Millionen-Atemmasken-her-3659.html/ |access-date=2022-05-11 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425095918/https://www.melitta-group.com/de/Melitta-stellt-ab-sofort-Millionen-Atemmasken-her-3659.html/ |archive-date=25 April 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Melitta USA==
'''Melitta USA''', headquartered in [[Clearwater, Florida]], is part of the privately held Melitta Group of Minden, Germany.<ref name=business_observer_2010 /> Melitta USA is responsible for the [[sales]] and [[marketing]] of Melitta coffee filters, coffee, and non electric coffee systems in the USA.

Melitta USA's coffee filters are manufactured in Clearwater, Florida, and the company has a [[coffee roasting]] operation in [[Cherry Hill, New Jersey]]. The company Web site said in 2018 that it had been roasting coffee in Cherry Hill for more than 50 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.melitta.com/en/Company-Information-636,615.html |title=Company Information |website=Melitta|access-date= 13 September 2018}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Coffee}}
* [[Easy Serving Espresso Pod]]
* [[Flavia Beverage Systems]]
* {{section link|Tea culture|Germany}}
* [[Utah teapot]], a 3D graphics computer model of a modern Melitta teapot used in graphics research and testing

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="Siems_2015">{{cite book |title=Melitta und Friesland Porzellan - 60 Jahre Keramikherstellung in Varel |language=de |trans-title=Melitta and Friesland Porzellan - 60 years manufacturing of ceramics in Varel |editor-first=Maren |editor-last=Siems |author-first1=Antje |author-last1=Sander |author-first2=Maren |author-last2=Siems |author-first3=Wilfried |author-last3=Wördemann |author-first4=Stefan |author-last4=Meyer |author-first5=Nina |author-last5=Janssen |publisher={{ill|Isensee Verlag|de}} |publication-place=Oldenburg, Germany |series={{ill|Schlossmuseum Jever|de|lt=Schloss Museum Jever}} |id=Begleitkatalog zur Ausstellung: Jeverland - in Ton gebrannt |edition=1 |volume=Jever Heft 33 |date=2015 |isbn=978-3-7308-1177-1 |pages=}} (48 pages)</ref>
<ref name="Schweingruber_2023">{{cite web |title=Melitta Kaffeefilter von Langenthal Porzellan |language=de |trans-title= |author-first=Andreas |author-last=Schweingruber |date=2023 |orig-date=2021 |url=https://kaffeefilter.webfenster.ch/Melittafilter%20von%20Langenthal%20Porzellan/index.html |access-date=2023-02-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220195923/https://kaffeefilter.webfenster.ch/Melittafilter%20von%20Langenthal%20Porzellan/index.html |archive-date=2023-02-20}}</ref>
<ref name="Spiegel_1962">{{cite news |title=Melitta-Filter: Wesentlicher Unterschied |language=de |trans-title=Melitta filter: Main differences |date=1962-12-04 |newspaper=[[Der Spiegel]] |issue=49 |volume=1962 |publisher= |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/wesentlicher-unterschied-a-ec97a12b-0002-0001-0000-000045125110 |access-date=2023-02-26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226215340/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/wesentlicher-unterschied-a-ec97a12b-0002-0001-0000-000045125110 |archive-date=2023-02-26}}</ref>
<ref name="Ruisinger_1994">{{cite magazine |title=Melitta: Geschirr-Nostalgie in Pastellfarben |language=de |trans-title=Melitta: Dish nostalgia in pastel colors |author-first=Karl |author-last=Ruisinger |date=<!-- 1994? --> |number=<!-- 180? --> |id=180/94 |magazine=Trödler |publisher=Gemi Verlags GmbH |publication-place= |pages=32–37 [34] |url=https://kaffeemaschine.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/kaffeemaschine-de-pdf-Melitta-Geschirr.pdf |access-date=2024-10-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910051435/https://kaffeemaschine.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/kaffeemaschine-de-pdf-Melitta-Geschirr.pdf |archive-date=2024-09-10}} (6 pages)</ref>
}}

== Further reading==
* {{cite book |title=Geschichte und Geschichten um Melitta - geröstet, gemahlen und gefiltert - zum 50jährigen Bestehen der Melitta-Werke Bentz & Sohn in Minden |language=de |trans-title=History and stories around Melitta - roasted, grinded and filtered - at the 50th anniversary of Melitta-Werke Bentz & Sohn in Minden |author-first=Hans-Günther |author-last=Oesterreich |author-link=:de:Hans-Günther Oesterreich |editor-first=Horst Wolfgang |editor-last=Bentz |editor-link=Horst Wolfgang Bentz |edition=1 |date=1958 |publisher=Melitta-Werke Bentz & Sohn / Druckerei Otto-Behrens |location=Minden, Germany |publication-place=Bremen, Germany}} (2+70+2 pages)
* {{cite book |title=100 Jahre Melitta - Geschichte eines Markenunternehmens |language=de |trans-title=100 years Melitta - History of a brand company |date=2008 |edition=1 |author-first=Mechthild |author-last=Hempe |editor=Melitta Unternehmensgruppe |editor-link=Melitta Unternehmensgruppe |location=Minden, Germany |publisher=Geschichtsbüro Verlag / Geschichtsbüro Reder, Roeseling & Prüfer GbR |publication-place=Cologne, Germany |isbn=978-3-940371-12-6}} (2+140+2 pages) (NB. There is also a French translation named {{lang|fr|100 années Melitta - L'histoire d'une marque}}. Reportedly, English and Brazilian translations exist as well.)
* {{cite magazine |title=Betriebsalltag und Unternehmensentwicklung eines NS-Musterbetriebs im Spiegel seiner Werkzeitung |language=de |trans-title=Daily business life and company development of a model NS company as reflected in its company newspaper |author-first=Kristan |author-last=Kossack |magazine={{ill|Westfälische Zeitschrift|de}} |issn= |publication-place=Paderborn, Germany |issue=155 |volume=2005 |date=2005 |pages=351–371 |publisher=Verein für Geschichte und Alterumskunde Westfalens |url=https://www.lwl.org/westfaelische-geschichte/txt/wz-9037.pdf |access-date=2024-11-02 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817105810/https://www.lwl.org/westfaelische-geschichte/txt/wz-9037.pdf |archive-date=2024-08-17}} [http://www.hiergeblieben.de/pages/textanzeige.php?limit=50&order=titel&richtung=ASC&z=108&id=8871] (21 pages)

==External links==
{{Commons category|Melitta}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070403051202/http://www.melitta.de/en/home.html Homepage of Melitta, Germany] with international links

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Coffee brands]]
[[Category:Coffee appliance vendors]]
[[Category:Home appliance manufacturers]]
[[Category:German brands]]
[[Category:Companies based in North Rhine-Westphalia]]
[[Category:Drink companies of Germany]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1908]]
[[Category:Minden]]
[[Category:1908 establishments in Germany]]
[[Category:Coffee in Germany]]
[[Category:Home appliance manufacturers of Germany]]