The founder of now, Mastertons Coffee and Tea Specialists, Ronald John “Jock” Masterton was born on 13 November 1897. He came to South Africa from Scotland in 1920 at the age of 23 after serving as an officer in the Black Watch regiment during the First World War. He knew he was going to fall in love with the country after meeting a South African in hospital during the First World War. Stories of wide-open spaces and endless sunshine were just what the doctor ordered, especially following four years in the trenches. Jock’s love for coffee, however, only came later.

 

RJ Masterton in the 1st Western Trench Mortar Battery, Western Division, British Army of the Rhine - Aug 1919

 

He first worked as assistant manager on a farm in Vereeniging where he met his future wife Marjorie. In love, he made the logical move to Marjorie’s hometown of Port Elizabeth, where her father was the Harbour Engineer in charge of building the breakwater which still protects the harbour to this day.

With the aim of establishing his own business, Jock travelled to Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka) where he studied Tea Tasting, often sampling more than 400 varieties of tea in a single day. He had a very acute palate and could taste even the slightest subtleties in the teas, it was a gift that served him well in South Africa. 

 

Tea tasting
 

Returning to Port Elizabeth, he opened “The Tea and Coffee House” at 33a Queen Street (now Govan Mbeki Avenue) on 4 December 1924. It was called the Tea & Coffee House, but people referred to it colloquially as “Die Koffiehuis”.

 

The Mastertons Roastery at 33 Queen Street

One of the first price lists at the coffee roastery

 

In 1966 the Queen Street coffee shop moved to its renowned PE spot in 114 Russell Road. “That was when he first started using the family name – Mastertons.” Jock also started importing his own coffee beans shortly after. “I have a picture of the first shipment coming into the PE harbour on the ship ‘Ortelius’,” James Masterton, Jock’s son recalls. “It came from the Honduras in South America.” (Central America, strictly speaking). Mastertons loyal customers say they can still smell the coffee being roasted when they drive down Russell Road even though the roastery has long since moved to its new location in Main Road, Walmer.

 

Photograph from E.K. Lorimer's book titled "Panorama of Port Elizabeth" published in 1971 which depicts Russell Road in the year 1863

 

114 Russell Road, Port Elizabeth

 

Mosaic created by Marita of MEM Pottery Studio

 

The Second Generation

Bea Christie (Masterton) joined the family business in August 1957 and celebrated her 65th work anniversary in 2022. Bea was known for her dedication and passion and always had time for the family business. She shared some of her memories in a 2022 interview:

I can still remember my first official day, I started on the 19th of August in 1957, I was 19 years old. Back then I went to the Commercial College here in Rose Street and I wouldn’t say I liked it. My dad (Jock) needed help at the roastery, and I was always more of a people’s person than a book person, so my coffee journey began!

When I joined Mastertons I wore a starched white overall and dad wore a white coat! Unofficially I started working at Mastertons when I was four years old, I used to catch the bus with my dad to Queens Street. My job was to stand on an old Schweppes cooldrink crate and fill little tea boxes.
 
In the beginning, it was me, my dad, and the delivery assistant who operated a bicycle back then! I can still see my dad cleaning every coffee bag before handing it over to the customers.

 

Bea Christie

 

Jock Masterton, Coffee Legend

 

James Masterton joined the business after leaving his position as a production manager at a large coffee producer in Cape Town. James (aged 26) joined his father and sister in the family business in 1969, and has been roasting coffee ever since. His father taught him the craft of coffee roasting on a small gas-fired roaster imported from UNO Company in Prescot Lane, London. Which, mind you, is still in working condition and on display in the Walmer shop.

With over 50 years' experience in the coffee industry, James Masterton is a veritable wealth of coffee information. "Technology has certainly standardized roasting processes, but it has its limits. There's no substitute for knowing exactly what aroma or sound signifies a perfectly roasted bean. Much of it comes down to intuition and experience," James explained. "And the challenge is to maintain this ‘feeling’ consistently on a commercial scale."

 

James Masterton behind the roaster

 

James Masterton roasting coffee at the Russell Road Roastery

Sandy Masterton, James’s wife, played a huge role in the Mastertons family business history, assisting in acquiring the Probat Roaster still used for roasting today. The Probat was the 1st imported & brand new roaster purchased by Mastertons. This Probat 12kg batch roaster arrived from Germany to help them keep up with the demand for their coffee. Named “Helga” and delivered by a rig to Russell Road. Sandy is still currently one of the 4 directors assisting with larger family and business decisions.

 

Sandy Masterton unboxing “Helga” the Probat Roaster

 

Mastertons Coffee & Tea specialists in the 21st century

Ryler Masterton joined the family business in 2002. After studying at Stellenbosch University, he started at the family business, diligently working his way up the ranks and improving on his wealth of coffee knowledge. This foundation of know-how, combined with invaluable business skills, enabled him to propel the business into a new era, setting the stage for the next century of coffee craftsmanship.

"The business ventured into the retail market years ago, a move that proved to be a saving grace, especially during the Covid-21 crisis of 2021. One of our proudest achievements is that we didn’t have to retrench any employees during the lockdown," Ryler Masterton reflected.

Nicole Masterton joined the family business in 2011, continuing the legacy of dedication to craftsmanship. As Operations Director, she oversees the day-to-day operations of Mastertons Coffee, ensuring the company's commitment to excellence remains unwavering.

 

James and Ryler Masterton in the Walmer Roastery
  

Mastertons Coffee & Tea Specialists has been catering to coffee shops, restaurants, guest houses, delis, bakeries, hotels, and other businesses within the hospitality industry since first opening their doors in 1924. Their coffee can be found on the shelves of supermarkets, retailers & through independent resellers throughout South Africa. With global appreciation for fine coffee rapidly growing, many people now insist on brewing only quality coffee in their homes and won’t settle for anything less.

In 2018 the roastery moved to 92 Main Road, from where they roast their coffee today. Although Russell Road will always be fondly remembered by the Mastertons family, PE Central became unmanageable with higher crime rates and inadequate space for growth. Locals and tourists alike can now visit the Mastertons Roastery for a large variety of fine teas, brewing equipment, coffee advice and accessories to a range of traditionally hand-roasted coffee blends all while enjoying a cappuccino from the coffee bar.

 

Mastertons Coffee Walmer via Mastertons Coffee

Three generations on, the Mastertons roasting process is the same today as it was when Jock first opened the roastery in 1924, using sight, sound and smell to roast their coffee to perfection. Firing up our roasters every morning, they strive to bring out the unique characteristics of each and every coffee bean through their time-honoured roasting method.

You can visit the Mastertons Roastery at 92 Main Road, Walmer, PE, 6070. Click here to visit the Mastertons website.