Grains of Sense

It all began with an experiment! Tom Hayman, our coffee roaster, wanted to order some green beans and experiment roasting them on the stove top. He was amazed when his wife, Kathryn, said yes and jumped on the chance before she could change her mind. Tom's attention to detail and exactness was a perfect fit with the art of roasting coffee. Several months later, he began selling his fresh-roasted coffees at the Staunton Farmers' Market. People took notice of the quality and distinguishing taste immediately. The Harrisonburg Farmers' Market had been soliciting area coffee vendors for some time to no avail. Tom stepped up to the plate (often wondering why as he had started in the frigid winter months and often made little more than gas money). Now, five years later, the Harrisonburg Farmers' Market is a vibrant, award-winning part of Shenandoah Valley life, Grains of Sense has many satisfied wholesale, market and web customers and in December 2012 Grains of Sense opened a store-front and roasting facility in downtown Staunton. April 2014 marked the opening of a roaster and caf at the Lynchburg Community Market. Even to this day, Tom roasts all coffee that carries the Grains of Sense label. For some coffee roasters it is simply a matter of dumping in the beans, pushing start and waiting for the timer to sound. At Grains of Sense, we consider roasting coffee as fine art. Like an artist, whether it be a master painter or sculptor, minute attention to detail is paid to every step and aspect of the roasting process - bean selection, time, temperature, fan speed and airflow, each being monitored and adusted accordingly, each being recorded, each and every roast - until completed; each roast a masterpiece of taste, aroma and visual appeal. Did we tell you that along the way Kathryn decided to get into the action? She has developed a line of teas that exude flavor and fond memories of Canadian tea times with family, friends or just a good book!