Alfred Peet was born on October 3, 1920, in the Netherlands. He grew up surrounded by the aromas of freshly roasted coffee, as his father ran a coffee roastery in Alkmaar. It was here that Peet first developed his passion for coffee and learned the ins and outs of the business.
After completing his education, Peet traveled to the Dutch East Indies and New Zealand, where he worked as a tea taster. In 1955, he made the decision to move to San Francisco, California, where he would eventually make his mark on the coffee industry.
In 1966, Alfred Peet founded Peet's Coffee & Tea in Berkeley, California. His goal was to bring high-quality, freshly roasted coffee to the American market. His dedication to sourcing the best beans and roasting them to perfection quickly made Peet's Coffee & Tea a favorite among coffee enthusiasts.
Peet's Coffee & Tea was not only a successful business venture for Alfred Peet, but it also had a lasting impact on the coffee industry as a whole. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his commitment to quality, inspiring a new generation of coffee roasters and enthusiasts.
Alfred Peet's influence in the coffee world extended beyond his own company. He was instrumental in helping the founders of Starbucks get their start, supplying them with coffee during their first year of business. His dedication to his craft and his willingness to share his knowledge helped shape the specialty coffee industry as we know it today.
Alfred Peet's love for coffee was deeply rooted in his family history. His father's coffee roastery in the Netherlands not only sparked his interest in the business but also laid the foundation for his own success. Peet's passion for coffee was a lifelong pursuit, and he passed on his knowledge and expertise to a new generation of coffee lovers.
Alfred Peet's reputation as a coffee connoisseur attracted a wide range of fans, including celebrities like Katie Holmes. His commitment to quality and his unwavering dedication to his craft earned him respect and admiration from all who knew him.
Alfred Peet's impact on the coffee industry cannot be overstated. His pioneering spirit and commitment to quality transformed the way we think about and enjoy coffee. His legacy lives on in the countless cups of coffee enjoyed by people around the world every day.