Hardtack supplier

[Rachal]

I have been looking on the net for a couple of weeks and cannot find a supplier of hardtack other than Bent's. Who else is manufacturing it these days? We were issued some at Olustee that looked like the old Mechanical Bakery hardtack, but I cannot find a contact for them anymore. I would rather not have to bake some myself, as it never looks quite right and I was pleased with what we were issued there. Any help? Thanks.

[DamYankee25]

You could always make it yourself, it's pretty simple, flour, water, salt...hardtack.

[Rachal]

I've done that before, and like I said in the original post, I wasn't happy with the looks of it. I do a lot of school presentations and I would prefer to have some that looks more like the real thing. I could buy it a piece at a time from the sutlers, but that seems to be a waste of money compared to buying it by the box. Thanks anyway.

[44thGa]

Try G.H. Bent. I think they have been in business since before the war.

www.bentscookiefactory.com

[GaWildcat]

The Gentleman was looking for someone other than Bents....

[Rachal]

Thanks, Bobby. While I like Bent's product, it doesn't hold up as well as the other style. I can't remember eating an intact piece of Bent's that has been in my haversack for more than a couple of hours. Far too fragile. Looks great, but way to fragile.

[bob 125th nysvi]

home baking their own I think Brents is it as far as commercial is concerned.

A suggestion for you though. I also do school presentations and when dealing with 80 students I really don't want to finance a piece of hardtack for each so what I do is prepare (or use a sutler version) of a full size one as a visual aid. I then make a batch with each cracker pre-scored into 9 sections before baking so the students can have a taste.

That way I have my visual yet a home made batch (@ 24 crackers each) will cover a couple of hundred students.

[Marc]

The Mechanical Baking Company used to make hardtack. I goggled them and appears they do not exist anymore ar least from a supplier standpoint.

[TheQM]

Thanks, Bobby. While I like Bent's product, it doesn't hold up as well as the other style. I can't remember eating an intact piece of Bent's that has been in my haversack for more than a couple of hours. Far too fragile. Looks great, but way to fragile.


Thomas,

If you think the Bent's crackers are too soft, just put them away for six months or a year, in the plastic bags, they come in. Trust me, they'll be hard enough to suit you!

Off subject, but it's my guess, the Army wanted to supply the troops with fresh Bent's hardtack; (Or other brands.) but often issued old, moldy and/or wormy hardtack instead. The Army still hasn't figured out "First in-First out" inventory control. :)

[Union Maid]

i dont know but where do you do reenactments? my sister bakes a ton of hardtack and she was thinking of doing commercial. but course we are in florida.sorry

[tompritchett]

i dont know but where do you do reenactments? my sister bakes a ton of hardtack and she was thinking of doing commercial.

I don't want to sound like I am being discouraging but I would suggest that she check into some of the Health Department, FDA and such regulations that would have to complied with if she is planning to sell what she is baking. It may never be an issue but, if it does become one, it is best to have done one's homework first.

[Union Maid]

yes sir i appreciate your help, we are/have looking into it but thank you. plus were not sure if were going that direction just thought i should inquire. but thank you for the advice.

[PetePaolillo]

I bought one of these and followed a civil war recipe and have been making some nice hard tack the key is slow baking at low temp about 300 for 1.5 hrs. Here is the recipe I use and the cutter below.

http://users.lmi.net/mcm20me/20th_Maine/CompG/research/hardtack.htm

http://www.dixietinworks.com/index_files/Page5611.htm

[bkylehand]

I was at Olustee this year, and from what I understand the Blue-Gray army inc. provided all of the rations. you can find contact info for them at http://www.olusteefestival.com/

[Regular3]

... You may as well follow the QM's specs:

http://kenanderson.net/hardtack/recipes.html

Mind you I've never tried this myself, although in earlier years I have attempted some of the other receipts I've seen. It's simpler just to order a couple of boxes from Bent's each spring and be done with it.

[TheQM]

Guys,

I took this from Darrel's link. If you'll notice, the discription of good Hard Bread sounds a lot like what you get from the Bent's Company today.

From what I understand, one of the problems with making Hard Tack at home, is getting the proper flour. This "cracker flour" is not readily available at you local super market.


"Should be made of best quality of superfine, or what is usually known as extra superfine flour; or better, of extra and extra superfine, (half and half). Hard bread should be white, crisp, light and exhibit a flaky appearance when broken. If tough, solid and compact, is evident the fault is either in the stock, manufacture or baking; it should not present the appearance of dried paste. If tough and pasty, it is probably manufacture from grown wheat, or Spring wheat of an inferior kind. In all cases it should be thoroughly cooled and dried before packing. Kiln drying, where practicable, for long voyages, is particularly desirable; but if really and thoroughly dried in the oven, hard bread will keep just as well and its flavor is not destroyed. To make good hard bread, it is essential to employ steam; hand work will not do."

[Artyman]

I started to order some Brents last week. I canceled the order when the shipping turned out to be $17.50!!!! The hardtack was $10 per box. Cripes, that makes it cheaper to pay $1.50 each at the sutler.

I don't know how good or correct Brent's crackers are, but with such a userous shipping rate I can find another source.

Harry

[Regular3]

Harry - Bent's has been in business since 1801. They started out making ship's biscuits for the whaling / maritime trade and supplied hardtack to the Army during the Civil War, so I think it's safe to say they're authentic. As to good? Well, they say it's pointless to debate matters of taste. Suffice it to say they don't taste like your Premium saltines :mrgreen:

Come to think of it, it wouldn't surprise me to learn that the crackers in our C-rations were made by Bent.

[snk22nd]

I should go there and buy up all there hardtack and resell it.They only charge 5 bucks a box instore. I was just there yesterday and picked up a few boxes.

[Artyman]

That's a cool idea! Guess I'll hafta look at the address.

I like hard tack and White Castles! My dog will eat hard tack if I put peanut butter on it.:p

Harry

[Ephraim_Zook]

Hardtack and a slice of onion. Doesn't taste real good but keeps obnoxious people at a distance.

[Rachal]

Thanks for all of the help. I will check with the Olustee group and see if they can help. The increased price for Bent's was a major factor in my desire to find an alternate source. I just could not justify the new price. I did, however, try another round of homemade tack last night and got better results. I was rolling it too thin in the past and overbaking ( I know - how???), but this batch came out allright. If I cannot find anything else I will go this route.

[PetePaolillo]

Please forgive this shameless plug but if you would like some hardtack I have been baking and and selling it. I sell it "for display only" but you are welcome to eat it as do I. Here is a link to the thread.

http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13147