Bigguy I didn't know you knew about Inteligentsia! Really Inteligentsia is great and so is Zoka located in Seattle. Coffee is really like fine wine and it doesn't take a lot of training of the pallet to tell. I usually find foods that pair well with the coffee, just like certain wines pair well with certain foods. Example if you get a Sumatra or even a Salawesia (sp) they are both great with cheeses and ooooooh so gosh darn good with cheese cake! Kenya and my absolute favorite Harrar (sp) are good with berries esp. blueberries with the Harrar. Try the harrar in the morning with a yummy blueberry muffin and you'll know what I am talking about. The best brewing method is the French Press but if you don't want to deal with a press a brewer with a metal filter is next best. Here is a great link with word and pic demo for a press http://coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot If you decide to go with the press later on it is best NOT to use dish soap on it. The reason for this is that the taste of the soap or fragrance can stick to the insides and for a purist or close to it that is no bueno. A simple hot water rinse is good enough for cleaning. One thing about the metal filters they are better for the environment as are the presses because you aren't using paper filters and since you aren't using the paper filters you are going to be getting more of the actual taste of the coffee. I hope that our tips help you to enjoy coffee a little bit better. Even though I am not a big fan of Charbucks the bare basic of info is a good start but if you want better beans (trust me I am a coffee snob!) The above shops that are mentioned are the best I have had.

Edited to add: I forgot to mention use filtered water! The chemicals that are put into our drinking water can really affect the way good coffee tastes. I really can't stress enough to use filtered water only! Never ever ever ever tap water!