Pullin Mummo Grinds Coffee
In this wonderful glimpse into everyday life, we see Pullin Mummo—literally "Granny Pulli"—grinding coffee by hand in her home in Airanne, part of the former Sortavala rural municipality. In Finnish, mummo is a warm and familiar word for grandmother, often used beyond immediate family to refer affectionately to older women in a community.
Coffee holds a special place in Finnish culture. Already by the late 1800s, Finland had one of the highest per capita coffee consumption rates in the world—a distinction it still holds today. In rural homes like this one, beans would be roasted and ground fresh by hand, creating a beloved ritual that brought people together in both daily life and special gatherings.
The surroundings offer rich details: shelves lined with tins and cups, walls partly covered with pages from the newspaper Laatokka, and a sturdy walking stick leaning against the bench. It's a scene that tells of practicality, resilience, and small comforts—where even modest decorations carried meaning.
Original Photograph
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Digitally Restored Photograph
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Photo Information
Original photo courtesy of the Finnish Heritage Agency
Photographer: Unknown
Year: Early 1900s
Link to original photo here
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