Coffee

During World War II, Germany experienced a critical shortage of real coffee, as imports were cut off due to naval blockades. True coffee was extremely rare and typically available only on the black market or through private parcels. As a result, soldiers and civilians alike consumed Ersatzkaffee – coffee substitutes made from roasted grains and roots.

1. Gollner Kaffee-Ersatz-Mischung
   A widely used German coffee substitute made from roasted chicory, malt, barley, rye, and acorns. Known colloquially as "Muckefuck" (from French mocca faux = fake coffee), it contained no caffeine and had a bitter, unpleasant taste. Nonetheless, it was the daily norm in military rations and civilian households.

2. Reiner Bohnen-Kaffee (10g pack)
   A rare packet of real ground coffee from wartime Germany. Such small amounts were occasionally issued to soldiers, especially in the rear areas, hospitals, or as part of special rations. Soldiers could grind coffee beans using personal or camp grinders and prepare a much-needed warm drink.

3. Nescafé Instant Coffee (can)
   A reproduction of Nestlé’s instant coffee, originally a Swiss product. Sometimes acquired through captured goods or foreign trade, Nescafé was favored by officers and Luftwaffe personnel. It was compact, easy to prepare, and valued as a caffeine-rich morale booster.

Coffee (or its substitute) was a staple part of Wehrmacht daily routines, whether during short breaks, in the field kitchen, or back at camp. While real coffee was often hoarded or traded, Ersatzkaffee was consumed daily. These reproductions are perfect for reenactment kits, museum exhibitions, or film props focusing on life behind the front lines.

The term "Muckefuck" became so widespread that even postwar generations used it to refer to bad coffee. Despite the poor quality, it became symbolic of wartime hardship and ingenuity