Candy-coated pecans are pure Texas product

If it is true there is nothing better than the sweet taste of success, then Jeff and Bunny King have the sweetest deal in Katy.

The confectioners own and operate The Great Texas Pecan Candy Company and have been satiating sweet tooths with their pure Texas products for 15 years.

"Everything we make here and everything in our products is all Texas products," Bunny said.

It is not simply a matter of being proud Texans—which they are—but rather a belief in buying local and buying the best ingredients they can. Only the highest quality pecans, freshest butter and real Imperial sugar is fit for the Kings.

"We've concentrated on keeping the quality of our products as high as we can," Jeff said. "We don't buy discount pecans."

Since 1997, the Kings have operated out of a small shop in a strip mall on Mason Road. With the exception of a second store they opened seven years ago in the Gruene Historic Disrict of New Braunfels—which sells additional merchandise—nearly everything they sell is made, packaged and shipped from Katy. There are a couple of non-pecan products they purchase rather than make, but otherwise the cooking of the candy begins early each morning and several pounds of Pecan Roca, Pecan Beer Nuts and West Texas Fire—among many other varieties—are made by Chris Oliver.

"I enjoy cooking candy, and I like working for Jeff and Bunny," Oliver said. "They make it a great working experience here."

Oliver has been with the Kings for four years and has 12 years experience.

"I fell in love with the place," he said. "It's one of the best things that ever happened to me, coming here."

When they started the business, Jeff was ending a career in real estate and Bunny was teaching nutrition and food service at Katy High School.

"I was cooking all day and then she would come from school and do the packaging, and I would go clean up," Jeff said.

In addition to themselves, they have two full-time employees at each store and a few part-time workers. They are currently heading into a busy season with Christmas, followed by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo—where they have had a booth for 15 years—which is quickly followed by spring break for the schools near New Braunfels.

"We cook every day to keep things fresh," Jeff said. "If it's out of date, we toss it. There are no preservatives in here."

The kitchen is equipped with standard-size kitchen ovens and sinks.

"All of it is done in small batches," Bunny said.

In addition to the candies, Bunny makes fresh cakes and pies. The most popular are her Chocolate Trifle cakes, Pumpkin Praline cakes and—of course—her pecan pie. Their products end up being shipped around the world, though most of their business is domestic.

"It's amazing when you talk to people and find out where it's gone," Jeff said.

The Great Texas Pecan Candy Company, 870 S. Mason Road, Katy, 281-395-2500, www.texaspecancandy.com