The taste and tradition of Seaport Coffee is so popular with Texans
and so well-respected that the Texas Legislature submitted a bill
to make Seaport the Official Coffee of Texas.
Texas Coffee Company began in Beaumont, Texas in 1921 when Charles J.
Fertitta, Sr. recognized the demand for a good quality coffee with a
distinctive aroma and flavor. Mr. Fertitta began with an investment
of $1800 and a Ford Model-T truck, a few pounds of coffee and a one
room “shotgun” style shack in back of the Crescent Market on Magnolia
Street in downtown Beaumont.
In 1926, Mr. Fertitta recapitalized the company by forming a partnership
with R. C. Maceo and Joseph S. Serio. They moved Texas Coffee Company
to a larger, more modernized facility that was better equipped to handle
the growing customer base. With this new partnership, Mr. Maceo was plant
manager while Mr. Fertitta and Mr. Serio delivered their product in the
Beaumont and Pt. Arthur territories. In 1968, Texas Coffee Company became the first coffee company in the
United States to begin packaging coffee in vacuum-packed foil bags.
The site on Martin Luther King Parkway (previously named Port Arthur
Road) is still the home of Texas Coffee Company. Its corporate offices
are housed there, as well as the manufacturing facilities. Manufacturing
equipment has been updated but a certain nostalgia remains in the old
hardwood floors and exposed steel beam supports, not to mention the
exotic aroma of fresh roasted coffee beans.
Texas Coffee Company is the manufacturer and distributor of Seaport coffee
and TexJoy Coffee. Each brand is distinctly different and appeals to
different types of coffee drinkers.
“Seaport Coffee is the coffee that got us where we are, and with the
addition of TexJoy Coffee, we are focused on the future,” says company president, Joseph Fertitta.
While each brand is 100 percent Arabica pure coffee, Seaport and
TexJoy Coffee are made from a blend of quality beans imported from
coffee growing countries around the world. Seaport is available in
five different roasts: dark roast, between dark and medium roast,
medium roast, Founder’s Choice and decaffeinated. Seaport's Dark Roast
is the heartiest roast in our line, offering the richest aroma and flavor available on the market today. Between Roast combines rich aroma and flavor that is desired by many coffee drinkers.Medium Roast gives you a milder flavor without sacrificing the
quality and taste that is synonymous with the heritage and tradition of Seaport Coffee.
Founder’s Choice offers a single roast coffee that is superior to the flavor
of any of the recognized national brands. This mild roast provides a smooth,
yet robust flavor that has quickly gained popularity among all types of
coffee-drinkers.
TexJoy Coffee is a premium roast coffee of 100% Arabica beans offering the
richest, most robust aroma and flavor, even for the most discriminating
coffee drinker.
Production begins shortly after the beans arrive in the warehouse as they
are sifted, separated and thoroughly cleaned to remove foreign matter. They
are then custom roasted to perfection, using different temperatures and
lengths of exposure to produce the various roasts. After roasting, the beans
are cooled, ground, and packed for the freshest taste. In fact, many
people who became accustomed to the rich taste and then moved away write
that they can’t find the same quality and freshness in any other coffee and
ask to be shipped their favorite blend.
In recent years, some customers have confused other coffee brands as having
been locally roasted and packaged in the Golden Triangle. The fact is, only
Seaport and TexJoy coffees are roasted, ground and packaged locally. Other
misconceptions involve people believing that Seaport contains additives or
chicory. Not true! Seaport is guaranteed to be 100 percent pure coffee with
NO additives, fillers or chicory. Still others have heard for years that Seaport and TexJoy coffees are strong, full-bodied coffees. Only half true! Seaport was the originator of three different roasts, which offer an appealing range to coffee drinkers who want anything from a mellow, full-bodied taste to a rich, traditional cup.
Seaport’s parent company, Texas Coffee Company, also manufactures a line
of spices under the TexJoy label. Like the coffee, people throughout the
United States and the world request the spices, which are shipped to a very loyal clientele. Recently, the packaging of all spice products has become
fully automated with the addition of new packaging and sealing machines. This
equipment allows for the inclusion of a freshness/tamper resistant seal.
“We feel that this important improvement will make it easier for us to
expand into new markets," says Fertitta. The most popular blend of spice is
TexJoy Steak Seasoning. Along with our newest blends — Rooster Booster Chicken Seasoning, Butt and Rib Tickler Port Rub, and our saltless Herbs du Beaumont Seasoning — we offer a wide varity of special blends including Special BBQ Seasoning, Old
West Mesquite Shake, Lemon Pepper, Cajun Seasoning, Italian Seasoning
and Old Fashioned Sausage Seasoning. TexJoy and Seaport products are currently
stocked in stores from Houston to Lafayette and Galveston to Alexandria,
Louisiana. Additionally, the coffee and
spices are served by many well-known food service institutions, restaurants,
delis, meat markets, and bakeries across the country.
In 1999, key management positions were taken over by third-generation
family members. The current President is Joseph F. Fertitta; Donald P. Fertitta is Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer; and Steve Lyle is the Regional sales Supervisor. The pride and rich
heritage of tradition continues on in the 21st Century with a fresh attitude and renewed commitment to success.
To all our customers, we remain dedicated to this proud heritage of
continuing to offer quality products and excellent service.