Recipes

Coffee (Urn Method)

Recipe No. 3 from the U.S. Army's WWII cookbook — Beverages. Quantities are exactly as printed, for 100 servings; a scaled-down 8-serving version is in the notes.

Army TM10-412 · Drink

Serves 7 gallons

Recipe No. 3 from the U.S. Army’s WWII cookbook — Beverages. Quantities are exactly as printed, for 100 servings; a scaled-down 8-serving version is in the notes.

Ingredients

  • Coffee, roasted and ground — 3 pounds (3 No. 56 dippers)
  • Water, freshly drawn — 7½ gallons (30 No. 56 dippers)

Directions

  1. Pour water into jacket of urn until glass gauge registers about ¾ full.
  2. Heat the water to the boiling point but avoid boiling it.
  3. Replenish water whenever gauge shows less than ½ full.
  4. Pour coffee into wet urn bag or basket and pour or siphon freshly boiling water evenly over the coffee.
  5. Cover and let water drip completely through once.
  6. If urn bag is used, pour ½ of the coffee brew back over grounds to give a full extraction and a clear brew. Remove bag or basket as any seepage from grounds impairs the delicacy of flavor and aroma.

Notes

SCALED TO 8 SERVINGS (the original is ÷12.5): Coffee, roasted and ground — 3¾ oz Water, freshly drawn — 2⅓ qt

Coffee grounds will absorb about 2 quarts (2 No. 56 dippers) water. Make coffee just before using as it deteriorates on standing.

— TM 10-412, Army Recipes (War Department, 15 August 1944), recipe No. 3, Beverages. Army measures: 1 No. 56 dipper = 1 qt; 1 No. 55 dipper = 1¾ qt; 1 mess kit cup = 1½ pints.