Hardtack Sources/Bent Company Question

[Kevin Spangler]

I missed that G.H. Bent no longer makes Hardtack. Didn't find anything about this on the website when I searched last night, so I'm going to ask a question about Hardtack. Is Hardtack commercially available elsewhere? Bent Company seemed to be the go to place in the past. Where are you sourcing your Hardtack now, or are you baking it yourselves?

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Hardtack Source/Bent Co Question

Excelsior Water Crackers from Jamaica are smaller, round, and use some leavening, but they're a convenient commercial substitute that doesn't use sugar or shortening: https://books.google.com/books?id=c5...res%22&f=false

If you want to make your own, Kilburn's "Notes on Preparing Stores" provides a description and instructions. Note the insistence on using steam power for mixing. Hardtack was just as likely to end up crumbly as rock hard. The desired consistency was more like Bent's, which is why more than one account describes "sandwiches" of salt pork between two hardtack. Unless you're very diligent you're not going to get that from what most reenactors do at home: https://books.google.com/books?id=c5...res%22&f=false

[Chaplain Roger]

Re: Hardtack Sources/Bent Company Question

The Regimental Quartermaster sells hard tack but its expensive. Better off making your own. The 11th Ohio Cavlary has a great video on youtube that walks you through the entire process, one of the best out there

[smicha6551]

Re: Hardtack Sources/Bent Company Question

How correct is the haystack from Ye Old Mans Table Works?

[Kevin Spangler]

Re: Hardtack Sources/Bent Company Question

Thanks for the replys, Guys. Gives me three options to look in to.