Which coffee company is known for introducing the European style of roasting coffee to the U.S.?

Peet's Coffee and Tea is recognized for introducing the European style of roasting coffee to the U.S. This company, founded by Alfred Peet in the 1960s in Berkeley, California, played a significant role in changing American coffee culture by emphasizing darker, richer roasts, much like those found in Europe. Peet's approach to sourcing high-quality beans and focusing on the roasting process helped set the stage for a new appreciation of specialty coffee in America. The influence of Peet's can still be seen today in many coffee shops, including Starbucks, which later adopted similar principles of quality and flavor.

Other coffee companies listed have made significant contributions to the coffee landscape but are not specifically recognized for introducing European roasting styles to the U.S. Starbucks, for example, is known for popularizing specialty coffee more broadly, but it did so after the groundwork laid by Peet’s. Blue Bottle Coffee and Caribou Coffee have their unique identities and contributions but don’t have the same historical significance regarding the introduction of European coffee roasting techniques.