Essence of Coffee

[lambrew]

Re: Essence of Coffee

Just as a fun fact, while visiting Sydney Australia this past week, (see my user profile if you want to see some pics) I went in to a convience store looking for Vegemite to bring home for those wishing to sample this very Australian product. This is when I came across a Nestle product called "Coffee & Milk". It comes in a tooth paste tube looking package, with the simple instructions on the front that says "Just add boiling water". My attention thus captured, I looked at the ingredients, they are as follows: milk, sugar, instant coffee. Sound familiar? It is almost the same in every regard, and proudly made in Australia. After all this time folks still use essence of coffee. Just a fun tid bit.

Respectfully....
Sean Collicott

[Charles Heath]

Re: Essence of Coffee

This "Camp Coffee" is pretty good, too.

http://www.sybertooth.com/camp/

No word on whether or not the little bottles come with a free kilt coupon.

[cprljohnivey]

Re: Essence of Coffee

I was introduced to "vegemite" when I was a summer camp counselor and we had international staff from all over the world. My reaction was: "Uhhh this stuff tasts like the bottom of a fish tank". Well I got my revenge on my Aussie friend when he had his first sampling of peanut butter with a similar reaction. Its amazing the differences the stuff folks eat.

[AZReenactor]

Re: Essence of Coffee

If we are looking at Modern examples, has anyone tried Autocrat Coffee Syrup or Eclipse Coffee Syrup from Rhode Island?

I'm also curious if anyone has tried this coffee paste from Italy?

[Charles Heath]

Re: Essence of Coffee

Troy,

The Autocrat is not bad, but is thin (viscosity-wise) compared to the period stuff where the instructions on the side of the tins read for the consumer to "cut out a block with a knife." The Eclipse syrup looks like just the thing for ice cream.

Heck, who knew they made anything in Rhode Island?

As to the vegamite references, now I can't get that stupid song out of my head. Thanks! Grrr.

[swamp two]

Re: Essence of Coffee

After following this thread for several days, I must confess I have endevored to create this goo per the recipe in this thread.

Although we have yet to actually make a cup of coffee with it, I can report the wife has declared it most excellent over ice cream and I have added it to my glass of milk and found it to be very good.

As I am not a usual coffee drinker and the thought of it cold made me shutter, this came as quite a surprise to me.

I think it may be habit forming as I am thinking about it as I sit here typing this.

This weekend I will test it out on the inlaws.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Essence of Coffee

Abel,

I'm sad to inform you that you have now entered that slippery victuals slope known as "making stuff." There is no known cure, and we could use some varietal labels for these cans of tar, based on some additional makers, and other manufacturers do exist:

Alden's (Also American Desiccating)

American (Also Alden's)

Dan Bohler & Co. (See the jingle below, and was he a licensee of Hummel's? It would appear so.)

Borden's (Good history here)

Hummel's (Probably the most common reenactor label)

Thomson's (Terri just picked up an original can from Bill MacIntosh, and the label is another ringer for Hummel's)

Tilden's (Sometimes specified in US Army bid ads)

The following is from a blog site with no documentation (I want to stress that), but the jingle is cute:

"Consider the following jingle for George Hummel's Premium ESSENCE OF COFFEE, manufactured by Daniel Bohler & Co., to be sung to the tune of "Yankee Doodle Dandy." It begins with a history of The Potable, from water ("As all their living was quite plain they were not very quaffy; / They drank cold water night and day and never dreamed of Coffee") to liquor ("But many found that would not do, it set their heads to reeling, / And next day when they sobered up they had an ugly feeling") to tea ("So off they went to Canton Town, and purchased some for trial. / The ladies, when they drank it, said 'twas good beyond denial / But after using it awhile they found their health was sinking; / The doctors said 'twas poisonous and they must stop tea-drinking"). Finally, coffee is discovered and "a Coffee jubilation" ensues, but, sadly, not everyone can partake due to the expense. Various experiments are tried, but then ... well, let Messrs. Bohler & Co. speak for themselves:

For many years the people bought their Coffee at high prices,
At last, to save their money, some tried various devices.
Some roasted chestnuts, rye and wheat, potatoes, corn and barley,
But all their great inventions proved a vain and empty parley.

At length rose HUMMEL 'mongst them all -- they startled at his presence --
And bid them now to come and taste his COMPOUND COFFEE ESSENCE!
So right away the ladies went, to taste the beverage charming,
Then told their husbands they had found a drink that was not harming.

The husbands they sent right away, to get a lot to try it,
And ever since they tasted it, whene'er they're out they buy it.
One shilling's worth will reach as far -- if you are money craving --
As four without the ESSENCE will -- and that I'm sure's a saving.

To close my song I just would say, before you spend your money
For HUMMEL'S COFFEE ESSENCE read the glorious testimony.
And when you buy be sure to see that you be not misguided,
For spurious coffee essence is on every hand provided."

My latest lunacy is about a 1/4 acre of prime chicory. I swore I'd never go through that process again, but here it is.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Essence of Coffee

Reviving a great old thread......Does anyone have the Hummels essence of coffee label that they would not mind emailing to me? I saw a bad link to one on another thread so I figured I would check here. I have the proper can but need the label as the one I had finally rotted away. Thanks....and RIP Mr. Heath. You are missed.

[BobSullivanPress]

Re: Essence of Coffee

{content edited}
There is a private messaging system available to you. You could have opted to use it. However, your choice continues to be to probe the limits of forum rules. Work with us and we'll work with you. Do otherwise and, well...

[Mcguire]

Re: Essence of Coffee

Saw this thread and decided to puruse it as it was started by my pard Frank. It saddened me to read Charles's posts. He really did bring alot to this forum and you're right Pete he is missed.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Essence of Coffee

Every time I make or drink Essence of Coffee, I think of how much that man and many others influenced my entry into the CPH hobby....My regret is I never got to meet him in person.

Anyways about that label? Anyone have one stored on their hard drive that wouldn't mind sharing with me? I know where I can buy one so that is not an issue. I just didnt want to place an order for one measley label if I could help it.. I am looking for free first...:)

[unclefrank]

Re: Essence of Coffee

I met Charles at the 05 Donelson event. Quite an experience. I never did get around to making the mixture. I think now would be a good time to try.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Essence of Coffee

Frank,

and others...Thanks for allowing me to Hijack this thread. I found a label thanks to the kindness of Paul W. You are a Gentleman Sir.

I made a nice batch of the Essence of Coffee last night. I tweaked the recipe more to my taste (sweeter and creamier) I took 8 oz. of the freeze dried (instant) coffee, added about 2-3 tablespoons of water in a saucepan on low heat and began stirring. I added small amounts of water until the consistency was molasses. I then added 2- 14 oz. Cans of the Borden's condensed milk. 28 oz. total. and stirred some more. I then added a second 8 oz. jar of the freeze dried insant coffee. I kept stirring and added little amounts of water. I never got the heat on the stove to make the mixture bubble. It just had a little steam coming off of it. By the time you are done mixing it should have the consistency of cold molasses. By the time I was done I doubt if I used 3/4 cups of water total. I then poured the mixtures back into the coffee jars labeled them so my wife doesn't throw them away and stuck them in the fridge. I now will be set for my coffee at the rest of this years events and possibly into next year. I made some to drink this morning. One teaspoon mixed in Hot water with some extra sugar and BAM!!! I am ready to begin my day.

[cprljohnivey]

Re: Essence of Coffee

will the milk in it cause it to go bad? Long term in the fridge or in the haversack subjected to summer heat?

[paulcalloway]

Re: Essence of Coffee

{content edited}
There is a private messaging system available to you. You could have opted to use it. However, your choice continues to be to probe the limits of forum rules. Work with us and we'll work with you. Do otherwise and, well...

Bob -
I don't really have a dog in this anymore but I can't help but wonder, what's the point of the passive-aggressive posts? As far as I know, there's nothing preventing you from supporting this site and becoming an Approved Vendor. This is a bit like complaining that you don't like your ad in the CCG, when you never bothered to buy one. Onus is on you, bud.