Without a palate that can detect the taste of coffee, people would have to depend on clocks or a well-timed sunrise to determine that it's morning. Set tongue alarms with today's Groupon: for $8, you get one coffee-tasting class from Texas Coffee School at Oddfellows (a $16 value). All classes run from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Choose from the following date options:

• Friday, June 17
• Monday, July 11
• Friday, July 22
• Monday, August 8
• Friday, August 26
• Monday, September 5
• Friday, October 14
• Monday, November 7

Much like a wine tasting, coffee-cupping classes teach students how to discover the many layers of tastes and aromas within artisan coffee. Modeled after professional tastings, sippers learn the industry-standard methods for detecting the regional differences among coffees from around the globe. Each class samples gourmet grounds from around the world, particularly small-batch varieties from high-end brands that will impress tongues with their diverse flavor facets and impress taste buds with their even more diverse tango steps.

The open coffee bar at Oddfellows stages the perfect backdrop for Coffee Cupping, sporting an unobstructed barista counter for viewable demonstrations on hand-crafted brewing. After class, pupils can grab a table or mingle outside, sipping new favorite brews around the open window counters, which are reversible in the event the shop ever turns itself inside out.