We believe nothing can stop the power of love.

The Unseen Bean Coffee Company - For those who still believe in love

Gerry Leary, founder of the Unseen Bean, has been blind since he was born. But his lack of vision does not stop him from roasting coffee. You don’t need sight to roast coffee, you need a heart, and Gerry has a huge one. Gerry’s love for coffee has helped him overcome every obstacle he’s faced.

While other coffee roaster use their eyes to monitor the look of the beans, Gerry roasts with love.

Our Story…

Gerry Leary founded The Unseen Bean in early 2003 with the intention of making the freshest, best-tasting coffee available anywhere. Leary, who is blind from birth, refused to let his sightlessness keep him from becoming a Master Coffee Roaster. He trained in San Francisco at the West Coast Specialty Coffee Company.  After working as a blind mechanic for 40 years, Gerry decided it was time to trade in his toolbox for a coffee roaster. “I’m very content in the coffee profession. People are upset when their cars break down, but almost everyone is happy with a great cup of coffee.”  

Beginning with only a quarter-pound roaster in a shed in his yard, Gerry logged every roast until he perfected the craft of roasting coffee in the dark. Who says you have to see the color of the beans? Gerry’s potential roasting capabilities were initially doubted. However, he has learned how to observe the sound and smell cues behind roasting excellent coffee with utmost precision. Gerry is now the world’s only known blind coffee roaster.