George Howell is one of the most respected names in New England specialty coffee, and the roaster’s stall at Boston Public Market doubles as a classroom. At these free midday tastings, the team pours single-origin coffees side by side and teaches you to actually taste them — sometimes as a classic cupping, sometimes as a triangulation, where two cups are identical, one is different, and your palate has to find the odd one out.

Sessions are short, casual, and led by staff who genuinely enjoy the geekery; themes rotate through brewing methods, processing styles, and coffees from around the world. It’s a perfect lunch-break detour if you work downtown — the market is steps from Haymarket — and a sneaky-good free date. Come curious, leave understanding why that Kenyan pour-over costs what it does.