Pike Place Peet’s?
So, having heard all the hullabaloo about Starbucks’ new coffee (and having gotten one of those snappy little cards in the paper), I sipped for myself last week. First thought? Wow — it doesn’t taste burnt (sometimes I think I’m the only person on the planet who notices that black Starbucks coffee tastes like tar. The rest of you must be addicted to the double amount of caffeine)! Second thought: this tastes familiar…
If you haven’t experienced Peet’s Coffee, you have all my sympathy. It’s delightful. It’s strong enough (sorry, Dunkin’, I love it, but you’re not putting hair on anyone’s chest) without tasting overbrewed (see angry parentheses previous). And actually, it’s Starbucks’ long lost brother. Back in the day, Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegel, and Gordon Bowker began in the company of Alfred Peet, owner of Peet’s Coffee. Eventually, Baldwin bought Peet’s and the others went big time with the brand we all know and love/hate.
Peet’s remained somewhat local. I tried it while in San Francisco and seriously considered ordering it online. It was Starbucks strength minus fierce bitter. It was Dunkin’ Donuts plus more manliness. In short, it was delightful. If you can’t make it out to the West Coast, go for the Pike Place brew. I give it a thumbs up.
