July 14, 2023 - Mr. Charles J. Fertitta, Jr. started a company in Beaumont, Texas in 1921 with $1,800 and a Model T pickup. It was called “Seaport Coffee Company.” This coffee was made of 100% Arabica coffee beans, which appear to be the strongest available for human consumption.
I never knew anything about this strong coffee until around 1960. I was newly married and without a job. Back in those days being young and classified 1A in the military draft, finding a job was about as easy as locating a snow ball in Hades. Nevertheless, I explored each job opportunity that I found. That is how I met this special coffee, exploring a job opportunity.
I received information that a company in Lake Charles, Louisiana was hiring younger men. I decided that it would be worth my while to motor over to this city and make application for the job. I had never been to this part of the state before, but I was willing to go anywhere for a good job.
As I recall I arrived at the plant early, so decided to get a cup of coffee to refresh my mind. I located a small café nearby, went in, and ordered a cup of coffee while seated on a stool at the long counter. Soon, the waitress set a steaming cup of black coffee in front of me. I put the one glass container of cream into the cup, and the coffee barely changed colors. It should have been a clue to me when I noticed that the spoon stood up in the cup without assistance.
I beckoned the waitress for another container of cream, stirred it into the coffee, along with some sugar. It had a very strong but pleasing taste. As a matter of fact, it was a pretty enjoyable cup of coffee after the long drive.
Pretty soon, even before I could see the bottom of the cup, I began to feel a little dizzy. “WOW, this stuff is potent”, I thought. Then the room began to spin around, and I felt a little nauseous. I wondered if the waitress had spiked my java with something as I headed for the restroom. A few splashes of cold water over my face helped my spinning head. I hung on to the lavatory for a few minutes as the room began to settle down a bit. Then as the caffeine hit, I felt a jolt of energy. I weaved my way to my parked car and sat behind the wheel for a full five minutes. Certainly, going for an interview while drunk on caffeine would not be a good idea. My heart rate was up and my face flushed. What a revolting development this had turned out to be.
By the time I was sitting in the company waiting room my system began to return to normal. I don’t recall the specific interview, however I do know that I did not get the job. On the drive home it finally occurred to me that the “Louisiana coffee” had done this to me.
Mr. Fertitta’s brew had done a number on me. That was my first and last time I ever drank Seaport coffee. Every time I drove past the coffee factory in Beaumont the aroma of the coffee would waft into the car and remind me of that very first encounter with the product.
I understand that many folk love Seaport coffee. Well, my take on that is the same as the man who said when he kissed a cow – every body to his own taste.
