About TexJoy and Texas Coffee Company

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.

The Beginning

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.

Seaport & Texas Coffee

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.

TexJoy Steak Seasonings & Fine Spices

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.

Vision For The Future

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.