Douwe Egberts Coffee Jar Tops; one of [my]lifes little mysteries....

Blunt knife blade, edge not end, under the edge of the lid and lever (bit like those old shoe polish tins with that thing that you twist to get thetop off) used to work but we don't use that coffee so I haven't had to do it for yonks.

Thanks, everyone - I truly thought it was just me and my small and clumsy hands!

I agree!
And has anyone tried realigning Carte Noire plastic lids? They don't square up to the jar after I've opened the jar the first time

There must be a knack.....

I had to clean the soles of my shoes in case I'd got a few grains on them and it would have stained my new carpet in the living room.

I give the jar to DH since on the last occasion I tried, I literally managed to fling a 1/3 of a nearly full jar over the inside of one of my kitchen cupboards. The sheer number of granules reminded me of grains of sand.

If he is not likely to be around, I keep the lid very loose.

My dog did that last night! I said to her 'well, you won't be able to sleep now after alL that caffeine'. However, in desperation I just attacked the lid with a knife [grrr] and realised that the plastic bit comes off. So, I'm assuming that it's only there to keep the coffee dry until it's sold and then you take the plastic off [mind you, it will then get damp as the glass isn't very airtight]. Still, at least I can now use it to store buttons etc. My daughter has DE coffee; I wonder if she knows the plastic comes off??

Yes, totally agree. Ridiculous design. Have you told them Tegan? They have a Facebook page - might be worth mentioning it on there. Someone else has, so the more people complain maybe they'll do something.

Copied from their FB page:

"I love the taste of your coffee but have difficulty getting the top off . Today I bought a jar . Tried for 5 mins to get the top of with no success . I asked my partner bearing in mind he is gym fanatic with weights and even he could not get the top Off . After 10 minutes of him trying he eventually got the top of but as he pulled it off the force of it made half the contents go all over my freshly mopped floor . So I went to get my dustpan and brush and at the same time my mop bucket but by the time I came back my shin-poo had locked up half of what was on the floor . I have now got a hyper dog with very bad flatulence that smells of coffee"

I was just thinking that recently too. Have to hold it over the sink to avoid coffee sprinkles everywhere.

Oh so agree. I thought it was an age thing but the other day DDIL couldn't manage either! Such a bad design.

I totally agree with you Tegan.
I just twist and wiggle till they budge.-

You need to twist as you pull , I agree they aren't easy..