The Origins of Peet's Coffee & Tea

Ever wondered how the American specialty coffee movement really began? Or why Peet’s Coffee & Tea, once just a Berkeley roastery, helped shape the future of coffee worldwide—even influencing Starbucks? This article digs into the real story of Alfred Peet, his 1966 Berkeley shop, and how his methods sparked a revolution still felt today.

Alfred Peet is recognized as the father of specialty coffee in the United States. He opened the first Peet’s Coffee & Tea in Berkeley in 1966, introducing fresh-roasted high-quality beans and a dark roast profile that redefined American coffee expectations. His influence directly shaped the founders of Starbucks, making him a foundational figure in US coffee history.

The Birth of a Coffee Revolutionary

In 1966, Alfred Peet opened the first Peet’s Coffee & Tea in Berkeley, California. Unlike anything else in the US at the time, Peet focused on fresh-roasted coffee made from premium imported beans, using deep roasting techniques that produced intense, bold flavours. His approach was a radical shift from the low-quality, pre-ground coffee that dominated American kitchens. Peet became known for his meticulous control over roast profiles and bean sourcing, setting a new benchmark for what coffee could be. This store laid the groundwork for what we now call specialty coffee.

From Peet’s to Starbucks: A Direct Lineage

Three of Peet’s early employees—Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker—went on to found Starbucks in Seattle in 1971. They adopted Peet’s dark roast style and sourcing ethos, learning the craft directly under his guidance. For its first year, Starbucks even bought its roasted beans from Peet’s. Although Starbucks later scaled and shifted focus, its original coffee philosophy was rooted in Peet’s practices. While Starbucks grew into a global brand with a market cap dwarfing Peet’s—Peet’s was valued at just 2.3% of Starbucks’ $6.36 billion in 2011—the two share an irrefutable historical connection.

The State of Peet’s Today: Scale vs. Specialty

Today, Peet’s Coffee & Tea operates around 200 locations and employs 4,000 people. While impressive, this scale raises questions about how well the brand maintains its original specialty coffee standards. Critics debate whether Peet’s still qualifies as a true specialty coffee retailer given its widespread presence. Founder Alfred Peet passed away in August 2007 in Oregon at age 87, leaving behind a legacy that transformed American coffee culture. His approach to freshness, quality beans, and bold roasting set the stage for the entire specialty movement—even if the modern Peet’s faces challenges in living up to that original ideal.

What Peet’s and Starbucks Left Behind

Despite ongoing debates over quality and consistency, both Peet’s and Starbucks played pivotal roles in moving coffee forward. Peet introduced Americans to the concept of fresh, high-quality, dark-roasted coffee, while Starbucks brought coffeehouse culture to the masses. Later, Starbucks introduced innovations like the Clover brewer and expanded into single-origin offerings and roastery experiences. Peet’s, meanwhile, has pursued acquisitions, including notable buys like the famed Bay Area specialty tea shop and, more recently, the acclaimed Tree House Coffee. These moves suggest a slow but steady push toward greater specialty coffee involvement. Many still see echoes of Alfred Peet’s original values—quality, service, and a commitment to better coffee—in the brand’s direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is considered the father of specialty coffee in the US?

Alfred Peet is widely recognised as the father of specialty coffee in the United States. He pioneered the use of fresh, high-quality beans and introduced deep roasting techniques through his Berkeley shop, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, founded in 1966.

Did Peet’s inspire Starbucks?

Yes. Three former Peet’s employees—Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker—founded Starbucks in 1971. They adopted Peet’s dark roast methodology and initially bought roasted beans from Peet’s. Starbucks’ original coffee philosophy was directly influenced by Peet’s practices.

How big is Peet’s Coffee & Tea today?

As of the data referenced, Peet’s operates approximately 200 stores and employs 4,000 people. In 2011, its market value was $636 million, just 2.3% of Starbucks’ $6.36 billion valuation at the time.

Is Peet’s still considered a specialty coffee brand?

The article raises doubts. While Peet’s began as a specialty coffee pioneer, its current scale of 200+ locations leads some to question whether it can maintain the quality standards historically associated with specialty coffee.

What happened to Alfred Peet?

Alfred Peet passed away on August 29, 2007, in Oregon at the age of 87. His death was mourned across the US and European coffee communities, and he is remembered as a pioneer of the “coffee revolution.”

What recent moves has Peet’s made toward specialty coffee?

Peet’s has acquired several specialty-focused businesses, including a well-known Bay Area tea shop and the acclaimed Tree House Coffee. These moves suggest a continued, if gradual, move toward deeper specialty coffee engagement.

FrontStreet Beans That Define Deep Roast Heritage

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