Alfred H. Peet Dies at 87
September 4, 2007
Alfred H. Pete, known as the “grandfather of specialty coffee” and the leader of the gourmet coffee revolution, died Wednesday of cancer. His revolution started with a small shop in Berkeley, CA that focused on quality in production, ingredients, and preparation. His shop soon grew into 150 stores in four states. In addition to personally training some of today’s coffee elite, Peet is also remembered for being the first to bring fine dark-roast coffee to the masses.
Clark Wolf, a restaurant consultant, credited Mr. Peet with almost single-handedly helping the American consumer appreciate the dark roast blend.
“He got us to embrace deep, rich flavors,” Mr. Wolf said, “and so had a huge influence on much of what we value in food and wine — yes, wine — today.”
Read more of the New York Times tribute to Peet.
[…] many ways, the direct-trade roasters are building on the foundation laid by companies like Peet’s and, later, Starbucks, which went outside the commodity system to find superior coffee. But, Ms. […]
[…] many ways, the direct-trade roasters are building on the foundation laid by companies like Peet’s and, later, Starbucks, which went outside the commodity system to find superior coffee. But, Ms. […]