Johann Hunt
Groceries have a way of reflecting the times. As eating habits shifted, many products quietly disappeared without much notice. They weren’t failures, just no longer part of the routine. Still, they left behind traces in old recipes and family memories. Let’s revisit 10 grocery items that once played a bigger role than they do now.
Condensed Milk In A Can
When refrigeration wasn’t an option, this stuff came to the rescue. During WWII, it became a trusted kitchen staple that lasted without spoiling. People poured it into pies and folded it into fudge. Even now, some desserts across the world won’t work without it.
Powdered Eggs
Long before protein powders, these were the original survival pantry MVP. No fridge needed, and they packed serious nutrition. Powdered eggs were standard during wartime and even ended up on NASA’s cargo lists. Today, they’re found mostly in camping gear, quietly doing the job nobody notices until it’s necessary.
Deviled Ham Spread
Tiny metal tins with a red devil logo once filled sandwich drawers and lunchboxes. Deviled ham spread, made by Underwood, was salty and easy to smear on crackers or white bread. It’s still around, but you’ll have to dig past rows of modern dips to find it.
Tang Drink Mix
Orange powder in a jar doesn’t sound exciting until you realize astronauts drank it in space. Tang wasn’t made for NASA, but it sure became their thing. Once it hit households in the ’60s and ’70s, kids everywhere stirred up that space-age glow like it was rocket fuel.
Jell-O Salad
Once seen as a modern marvel, this gelatin-based dish made a name for itself at family gatherings. It showed up in elaborate shapes, packed with fruits or (surprisingly) vegetables. Though its shine has dulled, old-school molds still turn up as collectibles. Back then, this stuff was kitchen showmanship.
Malted Milk Tablets
Before energy bars hit the market, there were these. Originally created as a nutrition aid in the late 1800s, they later doubled as candy for troops in WWII. Drugstores stocked them near the counter. Hidden in metal tins, they became one of those snacks that outlived their original purpose.
Postum Cereal Beverage
Coffee alternatives don’t get much older than this. Made from roasted grains, Postum was the go-to for anyone skipping caffeine. It rose during WWII when coffee shortages hit hard. Surprisingly, it still has a niche crowd writing to brands that are hoping to see it back on the shelves again.
Jarred Dried Beef
Not much sparkle, this one is just salty beef slices packed in a squat glass jar. It was a postwar grocery standard, especially for households making creamed chipped beef or casseroles. No need for a fridge and a long-lasting shelf life made it a go-to in many kitchens. These jars rarely show up anymore.
Canned Brown Bread
It came in a can, and yes, people actually ate it. Canned brown bread was a New England staple, often served with baked beans. Slightly sweet and steamed inside the tin, it didn’t need baking or freezing. Grocery stores once carried it proudly. Today, it’s a quiet regional holdout.
Sarsaparilla Soda
Health drink or soda? Back in the 1800s, it was both. Brewed from the sarsaparilla root, it was poured in saloons and pharmacies alike. Some believed it cured ailments, others just liked the taste. Though it’s mostly vanished, a few small breweries still serve up that wild, earthy fizz.