I was recently "home-schooled" in the art of making coffee. My instruction occurred in my kitchen, using my Cuisinart automatic drip coffee maker and Baltimore water. I did graduate work with the French press coffeepot.

My instructor was Erica Hess, who holds the title of coffee educator for Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc. Peet's is named after Alfred Peet, who in 1966 began roasting coffee in a small shop in Berkeley, Calif. Peet, who came to be called the grandfather of specialty coffee in America, died in September at the age of 87. Peet's Coffee is sold throughout the United States, including Whole Foods stores in Baltimore.

Peet's Major Dickason's Blend $14.99 for a 12-ounce bag

Fragrant and complex, this blend of seven beans (the exact mix is a trade secret) produced a mellow, satisfying cup with a slightly winelike finish.