106-year-old Antarctic fruitcake found, might be edible
Newly discovered artifact of South Pole expedition in 'excellent condition'

By Mike Moffitt, SFGATE Updated 12:43 pm, Friday, August 11, 2017

A 100-year-old fruitcake was recovered on Cape Adare in Antarctica.

Move over, Twinkies. You've been bested in the "food that refuses to
decompose" department, and the contest wasn't even close.

Conservators with the New Zealand-based Antarctic Heritage Trust
recently discovered a 106-year-old fruitcake in Antarctica's oldest
building, a hut on Cape Adare.

A fruitcake is a dense, brick-like confection spiked with lumps of dried
fruit and nuts that is traditionally regifted at Christmas. It is known
for its long shelf life, although usually not 100 years long.

The Antarctic dessert was found wrapped in paper in a decrepit tin. But
despite its rotting container, the cake was said to be in "excellent
condition."

"There was a very, very slight rancid butter smell to it, but other than
that, the cake looked and smelled edible," trust program manager Lizzie
Meeks said.

Conservators believe British explorer Capt. Robert Falcon Scott probably
brought the cake, made by the British biscuit company Huntley & Palmers,
to Antarctica during their ill-fated 1910-1913 Terra Nova expedition.

The expedition's Northern Party took shelter in the Cape Adare hut,
which had been built by Norwegian Carsten Borchgrevink's team in 1899,
and left the fruitcake behind.

Scott and his four companions reached the South Pole, only to discover
Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen had beaten them to the spot five weeks
earlier. All five died on the return trip, four after support teams
failed to rendezvous with his party as ordered.

The fruitcake is one of last of some 1,500 artifacts conserved by the
trust. After conservation, which includes stabilizing and repairing the
items, they will be returned to the site.

On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 00:06:53 -0400, Travis McGee >
wrote:

>106-year-old Antarctic fruitcake found, might be edible
>Newly discovered artifact of South Pole expedition in 'excellent condition'
>
>By Mike Moffitt, SFGATE Updated 12:43 pm, Friday, August 11, 2017
>
>A 100-year-old fruitcake was recovered on Cape Adare in Antarctica.
>


ALL fruitcake should be sent to the South Pole.

I used to like Claxton fruitcakes.

On 8/12/2017 8:46 AM, Boron Elgar wrote:
> On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 00:06:53 -0400, Travis McGee >
> wrote:
>
>> 106-year-old Antarctic fruitcake found, might be edible
>> Newly discovered artifact of South Pole expedition in 'excellent condition'
>>
>> By Mike Moffitt, SFGATE Updated 12:43 pm, Friday, August 11, 2017
>>
>> A 100-year-old fruitcake was recovered on Cape Adare in Antarctica.
>>
>
>
> ALL fruitcake should be sent to the South Pole.
>
LOL! I've never tasted fruitcake. It was not a tradition on either
side of the family. (Someone will undoubtedly chime in and tell me I
should try theirs...)

Jill

On 2017-08-12 9:40 AM, jmcquown wrote:
> On 8/12/2017 8:46 AM, Boron Elgar wrote:
>
>>
>> ALL fruitcake should be sent to the South Pole.
>>
> LOL! I've never tasted fruitcake. It was not a tradition on either
> side of the family. (Someone will undoubtedly chime in and tell me I
> should try theirs...)


I probably already have ;-) Both light and dark fruitcake were
Christmas traditions in my family. My mother, aunts and grandparents all
made it, and I loved it. Having tasted some commercially made fruitcakes
I certainly understand why so many people think it is disgusting. I
only made the light but I have found places where I can get a quality
dark fruitcake, but they are very expensive.

On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 06:36:04 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

>I used to like Claxton fruitcakes.

I used to make my own fruitcake and Xmas puds, usually by October of
any year. David had a pier head jump once and while he was away for
a couple of years, I went home to my parents in Japan. Both cake and
puds had been made and went into storage with the rest of the stuff.

When we were all back together again, they were in their third year
from making. I fed them well with some extra rum and brandy and they
were voted the best ever when we ate them.

I love fruit cake, properly made and fed, there is nothing to dislike.

> wrote in message
...

> I love fruit cake, properly made and fed, there is nothing to dislike.


Unless you don't like it.

Cheri

Boron Elgar wrote:
>
> On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 00:06:53 -0400, Travis McGee >
> wrote:
>
> >106-year-old Antarctic fruitcake found, might be edible
> >Newly discovered artifact of South Pole expedition in 'excellent condition'
> >
> >By Mike Moffitt, SFGATE Updated 12:43 pm, Friday, August 11, 2017
> >
> >A 100-year-old fruitcake was recovered on Cape Adare in Antarctica.
> >
>
> ALL fruitcake should be sent to the South Pole.

LOL! Unlike others, I actually like them once a year. Never made
one but each year I'll buy one. Last fall I finally added alcohol
to mine and it was good. I used Jim Beam Apple. Described as
apple liqueur infused with Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. (70
proof). Good stuff, imo.

"Wayne Boatwright" wrote in message
9.44...

On Sat 12 Aug 2017 05:46:16a, Boron Elgar told us...

> On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 00:06:53 -0400, Travis McGee
> > wrote:
>
>>106-year-old Antarctic fruitcake found, might be edible
>>Newly discovered artifact of South Pole expedition in 'excellent
>>condition'
>>
>>By Mike Moffitt, SFGATE Updated 12:43 pm, Friday, August 11, 2017
>>
>>A 100-year-old fruitcake was recovered on Cape Adare in
>>Antarctica.
>>
>
>
> ALL fruitcake should be sent to the South Pole.
>

I have always liked really good homemade fruitcake, especially if it is
chock fulll of dried and candied fruits, peels, and nuts, and
generously "fed" with your choice or combination of rum, brandy, wine,
etc. First wrapped in muslin, then plastic wrap, then foil, and stored
in an airtight container. Our family always baked them in the Fall of
one year, to be consumed in the following year. They should be fed at
least monthly. They can be stored in a really cold pantry or
refrigerator, or even frozen once the "feeding" has been completed.



Wayne Boatwright

==

That is exactly what I used to do Not in the huge quantities you
mention though.



--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

On 8/12/2017 9:58 AM, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> On Sat 12 Aug 2017 06:40:01a, jmcquown told us...
>
>> On 8/12/2017 8:46 AM, Boron Elgar wrote:
>>> On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 00:06:53 -0400, Travis McGee
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>> 106-year-old Antarctic fruitcake found, might be edible
>>>> Newly discovered artifact of South Pole expedition in 'excellent
>>>> condition'
>>>>
>>>> By Mike Moffitt, SFGATE Updated 12:43 pm, Friday, August 11,
>>>> 2017
>>>>
>>>> A 100-year-old fruitcake was recovered on Cape Adare in
>>>> Antarctica.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ALL fruitcake should be sent to the South Pole.
>>>
>> LOL! I've never tasted fruitcake. It was not a tradition on
>> either side of the family. (Someone will undoubtedly chime in and
>> tell me I should try theirs...)
>>
>> Jill
>>
>
> I promise not to do that. :-)
>
It wouldn't matter. I wouldn't make it anyway.

Jill

On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 14:31:49 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> wrote:

>On Sat 12 Aug 2017 07:16:27a, Cheri told us...
>
>> > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>> I love fruit cake, properly made and fed, there is nothing to
>>> dislike.
>>
>>
>> Unless you don't like it.
>>
>> Cheri
>>
>>
>
>Certainly that's reason enough. However, I'd be willing to bet that a
>great many people have never tasted it and swear that they don't like
>it.

Or at least, not tasted a properly made one - I tried a couple of
boughten ones, argggh

wrote:
>
> On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 14:31:49 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> > wrote:
>
> >On Sat 12 Aug 2017 07:16:27a, Cheri told us...
> >
> >> > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >>
> >>> I love fruit cake, properly made and fed, there is nothing to
> >>> dislike.
> >>
> >>
> >> Unless you don't like it.
> >>
> >> Cheri
> >>
> >>
> >
> >Certainly that's reason enough. However, I'd be willing to bet that a
> >great many people have never tasted it and swear that they don't like
> >it.
>
> Or at least, not tasted a properly made one - I tried a couple of
> boughten ones, argggh

Believe it or not, one year I bought one at K-mart and I loved
it. :-O

The last 2-3 years, I bought a small one at my grocery store. Not
bad. Last year I infused it with the Apple Bourbon and it was
excellent.

Question for you fruit cake experts. Once you start infusing it,
do you keep it out (in a container) at room temp or do you
refrigerate the container? I opted for the safe fridge
environment and add the bourbon once a week. Just a little
drizzle each week. (for a month)

On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 15:12:51 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> wrote:

>On Sat 12 Aug 2017 08:08:03a, told us...
>
>> On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 14:31:49 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>On Sat 12 Aug 2017 07:16:27a, Cheri told us...
>>>
>>>> > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>
>>>>> I love fruit cake, properly made and fed, there is nothing to
>>>>> dislike.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Unless you don't like it.
>>>>
>>>> Cheri
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>Certainly that's reason enough. However, I'd be willing to bet
>>>that a great many people have never tasted it and swear that they
>>>don't like it.
>>
>> Or at least, not tasted a properly made one - I tried a couple of
>> boughten ones, argggh
>>
>
>I think that's the typical reaction. A friend of mine used to bring
>me a "Plantation Fruitcake" from Georgia (I don't remember the
>brand), but it was actuallly excellent. Not as good as my own
>homemade, but better than any I'd ever tasted before.

Closest I ever tasted was a Marks & Spencer Gourmet Fruitcake, pretty
good but better after a feeding at home.

On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 11:59:39 -0400, Gary > wrote:

wrote:
>>
>> On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 14:31:49 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >On Sat 12 Aug 2017 07:16:27a, Cheri told us...
>> >
>> >> > wrote in message
>> >> ...
>> >>
>> >>> I love fruit cake, properly made and fed, there is nothing to
>> >>> dislike.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Unless you don't like it.
>> >>
>> >> Cheri
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >Certainly that's reason enough. However, I'd be willing to bet that a
>> >great many people have never tasted it and swear that they don't like
>> >it.
>>
>> Or at least, not tasted a properly made one - I tried a couple of
>> boughten ones, argggh
>
>Believe it or not, one year I bought one at K-mart and I loved
>it. :-O
>
>The last 2-3 years, I bought a small one at my grocery store. Not
>bad. Last year I infused it with the Apple Bourbon and it was
>excellent.
>
>Question for you fruit cake experts. Once you start infusing it,
>do you keep it out (in a container) at room temp or do you
>refrigerate the container? I opted for the safe fridge
>environment and add the bourbon once a week. Just a little
>drizzle each week. (for a month)

I never put mine in the fridge at any stage, far less the freezer as
some do. Usually left the mix in a glass/china pot and sealed that
within an airtight bag. Nobody was ever sick after eating it anyway.

On 2017-08-12 7:52 AM, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> On Sat 12 Aug 2017 05:46:16a, Boron Elgar told us...
>
>> On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 00:06:53 -0400, Travis McGee
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> 106-year-old Antarctic fruitcake found, might be edible
>>> Newly discovered artifact of South Pole expedition in 'excellent
>>> condition'
>>>
>>> By Mike Moffitt, SFGATE Updated 12:43 pm, Friday, August 11, 2017
>>>
>>> A 100-year-old fruitcake was recovered on Cape Adare in
>>> Antarctica.
>>>
>>
>>
>> ALL fruitcake should be sent to the South Pole.
>>
>
> I have always liked really good homemade fruitcake, especially if it is
> chock fulll of dried and candied fruits, peels, and nuts, and
> generously "fed" with your choice or combination of rum, brandy, wine,
> etc. First wrapped in muslin, then plastic wrap, then foil, and stored
> in an airtight container. Our family always baked them in the Fall of
> one year, to be consumed in the following year. They should be fed at
> least monthly. They can be stored in a really cold pantry or
> refrigerator, or even frozen once the "feeding" has been completed.
>
I used to make them and used a hypodermic to inject them with brandy:-)
Graham

"Gary" > wrote in message ...
> wrote:
>>
>> On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 14:31:49 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >On Sat 12 Aug 2017 07:16:27a, Cheri told us...
>> >
>> >> > wrote in message
>> >> ...
>> >>
>> >>> I love fruit cake, properly made and fed, there is nothing to
>> >>> dislike.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Unless you don't like it.
>> >>
>> >> Cheri
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >Certainly that's reason enough. However, I'd be willing to bet that a
>> >great many people have never tasted it and swear that they don't like
>> >it.
>>
>> Or at least, not tasted a properly made one - I tried a couple of
>> boughten ones, argggh
>
> Believe it or not, one year I bought one at K-mart and I loved
> it. :-O
>
> The last 2-3 years, I bought a small one at my grocery store. Not
> bad. Last year I infused it with the Apple Bourbon and it was
> excellent.
>
> Question for you fruit cake experts. Once you start infusing it,
> do you keep it out (in a container) at room temp or do you
> refrigerate the container? I opted for the safe fridge
> environment and add the bourbon once a week. Just a little
> drizzle each week. (for a month)


I used to buy the Klaxton, I believe that was the name at Walmart around
Christmas. I thought they were very good.

Cheri

On 8/11/2017 10:33 PM, Sqwertz wrote:
> It probably
> tastes like when hell freezes over.
>
> -sw

Steve Wertz - unrepentant woman stalker and total head case begging poor
Omelet to shoot him with a sniper rifle in austin.food:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ost
>
3/18/2011 3:49 PM
Microsoft Internet News 4.70.1162
readnews.com - News for Geeks and ISPs
fa35d278.newsreader.readnews.com


Sorry I don't fit either of your Ideal Psycho Pal Profiles.

-sw
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'd prefer you use a sniper rifle on me from a few hundred yards away.
There you go - a reason for you to buy yet another gun and ammo.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"graham" wrote in message news
On 2017-08-12 7:52 AM, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> On Sat 12 Aug 2017 05:46:16a, Boron Elgar told us...
>
>> On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 00:06:53 -0400, Travis McGee
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> 106-year-old Antarctic fruitcake found, might be edible
>>> Newly discovered artifact of South Pole expedition in 'excellent
>>> condition'
>>>
>>> By Mike Moffitt, SFGATE Updated 12:43 pm, Friday, August 11, 2017
>>>
>>> A 100-year-old fruitcake was recovered on Cape Adare in
>>> Antarctica.
>>>
>>
>>
>> ALL fruitcake should be sent to the South Pole.
>>
>
> I have always liked really good homemade fruitcake, especially if it is
> chock fulll of dried and candied fruits, peels, and nuts, and
> generously "fed" with your choice or combination of rum, brandy, wine,
> etc. First wrapped in muslin, then plastic wrap, then foil, and stored
> in an airtight container. Our family always baked them in the Fall of
> one year, to be consumed in the following year. They should be fed at
> least monthly. They can be stored in a really cold pantry or
> refrigerator, or even frozen once the "feeding" has been completed.
>
I used to make them and used a hypodermic to inject them with brandy:-)
Graham

===

Snap)



--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

Ophelia wrote:
> "graham" wrote in message news > On 2017-08-12 7:52 AM, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>> On Sat 12 Aug 2017 05:46:16a, Boron Elgar told us...
>>
>>> On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 00:06:53 -0400, Travis McGee
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>> 106-year-old Antarctic fruitcake found, might be edible
>>>> Newly discovered artifact of South Pole expedition in
>>>> 'excellent
>>>> condition'
>>>>
>>>> By Mike Moffitt, SFGATE Updated 12:43 pm, Friday, August
>>>> 11, 2017
>>>>
>>>> A 100-year-old fruitcake was recovered on Cape Adare in
>>>> Antarctica.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ALL fruitcake should be sent to the South Pole.
>>>
>>
>> I have always liked really good homemade fruitcake,
>> especially if it is
>> chock fulll of dried and candied fruits, peels, and nuts, and
>> generously "fed" with your choice or combination of rum,
>> brandy, wine,
>> etc. First wrapped in muslin, then plastic wrap, then
>> foil, and stored
>> in an airtight container. Our family always baked them in
>> the Fall of
>> one year, to be consumed in the following year. They
>> should be fed at
>> least monthly. They can be stored in a really cold pantry or
>> refrigerator, or even frozen once the "feeding" has been
>> completed.
>>
> I used to make them and used a hypodermic to inject them
> with brandy:-)
> Graham
>
> ===
>
> Snap)
>
>
>
I had a few slices of a some store bought cakes ( 40-50
years ago) that were not too bad, but not especially good. I
probably never had a _good_ fruitcake. Some of them were
pretty bad, but given as gifts, in those little tin
containers with fanciful images. One must not complain to
the giver.

The brandy or cognac would definitely be a flavor enhancer
to complement the fruit content of the cake. Good cognac
always goes with fruit.

Several years back, I received a gift from a retired US army
colonel (He bought it at a costco store) ... It was a type
of fruit candy, and the best candy I ever had. I have never
found it again, despite many searches.

On 2017-08-12 5:55 PM, heyjoe wrote:
> On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 10:08:02 -0400, Dave Smith wrote:
>
>> I
>> only made the light but I have found places where I can get a quality
>> dark fruitcake, but they are very expensive.
>
> Even home made fruit cake (worth eating) is not inexpensive to make!
>
> I like moist, dense, loaded with fruit and nuts fruitcake. But I also
> like corn dogs and tater tots - obviously a food heathen.
>
> If you make and like Boston Brown Bread . . . you, too, might be a food
> heathen.

That's for sure. I started making (light) fruitcakes while my mother was
still alive and for a while after she died I kept my brothers supplied.
I soon realized they had little appreciation for the expense I went to
in order to make them. The oldest brother is notoriously frugal and he
called me up a couple years ago and asked me if I was going to make him
some fruitcake. I told him I would do better than that. I would give him
Mom's recipe. He said that he had the recipe and was going to make it,
but when he went to the store to get the ingredients they were really
expensive. Apparently it is too expensive for him to make fruitcake for
himself, but it is not too expensive for me to make it for him.

On 2017-08-12 4:14 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2017-08-12 5:55 PM, heyjoe wrote:
>> On Sat, 12 Aug 2017 10:08:02 -0400, Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>>> I
>>> only made the light but I have found places where I can get a quality
>>> dark fruitcake, but they are very expensive.
>>
>> Even home made fruit cake (worth eating) is not inexpensive to make!
>>
>> I like moist, dense, loaded with fruit and nuts fruitcake. But I also
>> like corn dogs and tater tots - obviously a food heathen.
>>
>> If you make and like Boston Brown Bread . . . you, too, might be a food
>> heathen.
>
> That's for sure. I started making (light) fruitcakes while my mother was
> still alive and for a while after she died I kept my brothers supplied.
> I soon realized they had little appreciation for the expense I went to
> in order to make them. The oldest brother is notoriously frugal and he
> called me up a couple years ago and asked me if I was going to make him
> some fruitcake. I told him I would do better than that. I would give him
> Mom's recipe. He said that he had the recipe and was going to make it,
> but when he went to the store to get the ingredients they were really
> expensive. Apparently it is too expensive for him to make fruitcake for
> himself, but it is not too expensive for me to make it for him.
>
>
>
Your family has the makings of a sitcom!

On Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 5:13:23 PM UTC-5, Dave Smith wrote:
>
> That's for sure. I started making (light) fruitcakes while my mother was
> still alive and for a while after she died I kept my brothers supplied.
>
>
My recipe is for a light/white fruitcake and I really do like it. But
this past Christmas I made fruitcake cookies and were they ever tasty.
They were a hit with everybody who tried them.

> wrote in message
...
> On Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 5:13:23 PM UTC-5, Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>> That's for sure. I started making (light) fruitcakes while my mother was
>> still alive and for a while after she died I kept my brothers supplied.
>>
>>
> My recipe is for a light/white fruitcake and I really do like it. But
> this past Christmas I made fruitcake cookies and were they ever tasty.
> They were a hit with everybody who tried them.


Same here, I use the recipe for my MIL's white fruit cake, but have made
bars and cookies with it, very good and time saving.

Cheri

On Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 10:14:10 PM UTC-5, Cheri wrote:
>
> > wrote in message
> ...
>
> > My recipe is for a light/white fruitcake and I really do like it. But
> > this past Christmas I made fruitcake cookies and were they ever tasty.
> > They were a hit with everybody who tried them.
>
>
> Same here, I use the recipe for my MIL's white fruit cake, but have made
> bars and cookies with it, very good and time saving.
>
> Cheri
>
>
Some people won't touch fruitcake no matter who makes it but
mention cookie and they're all over it. Even more surprising
is when they ask for the recipe.

> wrote in message
...
> On Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 10:14:10 PM UTC-5, Cheri wrote:
>>
>> > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>> > My recipe is for a light/white fruitcake and I really do like it. But
>> > this past Christmas I made fruitcake cookies and were they ever tasty.
>> > They were a hit with everybody who tried them.
>>
>>
>> Same here, I use the recipe for my MIL's white fruit cake, but have made
>> bars and cookies with it, very good and time saving.
>>
>> Cheri
>>
>>
> Some people won't touch fruitcake no matter who makes it but
> mention cookie and they're all over it. Even more surprising
> is when they ask for the recipe.
>


Ain't it the truth!

Cheri

I once suggested here to pour port wine on fruit cake, I'd never pour rum on 1 but brandy would be ok.

On 2017-08-13 2:09 PM, wrote:
> I once suggested here to pour port wine on fruit cake, I'd never pour rum on 1 but brandy would be ok.
>
Port would be OK with which to soak the fruit overnight. After baking,
some type of brandy is preferable. I have used Cointreau, for example.
Graham

https://www.google.com/search?site=w...k1.kcNI6FGl-58

On 2017-08-13 4:09 PM, wrote:
> I once suggested here to pour port wine on fruit cake, I'd never pour rum on 1 but brandy would be ok.

I can see rum on fruit cake. I prefer brandy, but rum would work.

On Sun, 13 Aug 2017 18:29:06 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>On 2017-08-13 4:09 PM, wrote:
>> I once suggested here to pour port wine on fruit cake, I'd never pour rum on 1 but brandy would be ok.
>
>I can see rum on fruit cake. I prefer brandy, but rum would work.

Port, or any liqueur works well too.

In the olde country they always put port on fruit cake and it was ruby port at that.