For every meeting, every discussion, every conversation there is one thing that must not be missing: the obligatory hot drink, coffee or tea depending on taste. It introduces the required aroma and that relaxing moment into the daily struggle for survival. When somewhere in high up forests beans and leaves are picked and dried for the benefit of mankind, it is not that much longer before large ships dock in ports, importing the goods, blended or pure, destined for the coffee and tea shops. When subsequently the leaf or bean kisses the cup and hot steam rises ... that is the best moment of the day for many people. But wait! What does the cup look like – and the packaging? Should we be satisfied with the mundane office coffee culture, simply leaving a milestone in the history of drinks to “slurp” by? “Never!” was Ritzenhoff’s response and asked Sieger Design to provide help with top-flight designers.
The time was well chosen. Coffee bars and tea shops are sprouting up like Bolivian beans and Assam highland plants. Even in the fashionable districts of tea-drinking London it is easy to wend one’s way with café longo, latte and co. from a bar into the next tea lounge. And despite caffeine: American studies have shown that the stuff is good for you – and that there are fewer people with heart disease among coffee drinkers than among those who abstain! If that is not an argument for carefree pleasure!
The externals must fit as well. The most lovely drinks in the world have therefore been given a special name: My Darling. Designers from many different countries opened their hearts and salons to the hottest drink in the world!