I Tried This Iconic 135-Year-Old Coffee, and It’s All I’m Drinking from Now On
Last year, I watched a great documentary that a relative recommended called “The Automat.” It chronicled the history of Horn & Hardart, a company founded in 1888 that began as a luncheonette before opening the first Automat in 1902. This revolutionary restaurant (there were 171 by 1952) was kind of like a fancy food hall with vending machines carrying freshly prepared meals in glass-enclosed cubbies. Insert a few nickels, open the glass panel, and help yourself to a sandwich, baked halibut, creamed spinach, or a slice of pie or cake. The people featured in the documentary, including Mel Brooks and the late Ruth Bader Ginsberg, raved about the food, but the hands-down favorite at the Automat? The coffee, which customers dispensed from a whimsical brass dolphin spout after inserting 5 cents into the machine.
The Automat concept sounded amazing to me, and I was sad that they no longer exist (the last one closed in 1991). I thought, What I wouldn’t give to sample some of the offerings gushed about in the documentary! And then, lo and behold, I was scrolling through Instagram a few months ago, and up came an ad for Horn & Hardart’s Automat Coffee! I had no idea the company was still around and selling bags of its popular blends, but this was my chance to see what all the fuss was about. And after brewing it for myself, I can assure you that the hype is real.
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Horn & Hardart Automat Coffee - Ground - 2 Bags
Amazon
$35.95
What Is Horn & Hardart Automat Coffee
Horn & Hardart’s 100% Arabica Automat Coffee comes in two different roasts. There’s the Historic Automat Blend, a medium roast based on the original coffee served in the actual automats back in the day, and the Chestnut Street Blend, a dark roast named for the Philadelphia location of the very first automat. The Historic Automat Blend is made up of beans from Brazil, Columbia, and Costa Rica, while the Chestnut Street Blend features a combination of beans from the mountains for Central America. Twelve-ounce bags of ground or whole bean coffee are sold as sets for $35.95, and pods are also available for drip machines, costing $20 for 15 capsules.
Why I Love Horn & Hardart Automat Coffee
I bought the Historic Automat Blend and Chestnut Street Blend so that I could give both flavors a taste. The Historic Automat Blend is deliciously smooth and the perfect cup of coffee to drink first thing in the morning or later in the day, with dessert. It’s full of flavor, and I especially like using it for iced coffee. But as much as I enjoy the Historic Automat Blend, the Chestnut Street Blend is my favorite. I love dark roast coffee, and this one is bold without being bitter or overpowering. And the aroma every time I open the bag is heavenly. The Chestnut Street Blend is the one I turn to when I need an extra pick-me-up that day; it gives me a little more energy without feeling jittery.
I’m thrilled that I’ve gotten to experience Horn & Hardart coffee, and it’s now my go-to brew every single day. It also appears that I may eventually get to sample Horn & Hardart’s food, too. According to reports, the company is planning to reopen an Automat in New York City. Fresh-baked apple pie and delicious coffee poured from a dolphin spigot? I’ll drink to that!
Buy: Horn & Hardart Automat Coffee, $35.95 for two bags
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