Postum

Something I remember from my childhood was Postum.  I didn't really know much about it, but I knew Dad had it once in a while, now and then; I think Mom was more of a coffee drinker.  In fact, I can clearly remember being just a little taller than the kitchen table and asking her if I could have a sip of her coffee.  No decaf back then either!  Anyway, Postum was always there in the cupboard, right next to the cinnamon brown sugar shaker, just in front of the Sucaryl (remember that stuff?).

The product was originally invented by C. W. Post in 1895 at his Postum Cereal Company, but the instant mix we all knew of started production in 1911.  I never knew if Mom and Dad actually liked Postum, or maybe if it was something Grandma or Grandpa Calkins liked.  During WWII, coffee was rationed and I wonder if they "converted" to Postum during that time as they paid for it with their steel pennies.

The Postum Cereal Company eventually became General Foods (which this jar is from) who was bought by Philip Morris who also bought Kraft Foods, who discontinued production of Postum in 2007.  I guess people just liked coffee better.  This picture is of a jar I got probably back in the late 70's (about 35 years ago).  Note the old spelling "caffein" which now carries an 'e' at the end of the word.  It has a Walco price tag on the bottom of $4.29.

Believe it or not, I have been drinking this stuff lately!  Every time I make a cup, I am aware I am making a cup of the "original" instant Postum.  Who knows, I might actually have the last few grains left on the planet of this great historic product!  I looked around and believe it or not, someone actually started making it again, albeit with a slightly different recipe than the original.  Today you can buy an 8 oz. jar like this one for about $18.00.