Friday, January 05, 2007

 

Yes, it's THAT darn good!

Ages ago, in one of my posts (here) I related a bit about my trip in 2003 to Buffalo, NY for my friend Chris' wedding. In preperation for the trip I decided that while in town I wanted to "taste Buffalo." By saying "taste Buffalo" I do not mean:
  • Walk out the front door of the hotel, get on my hands and knees, and lick the sidewalk in Buffalo.
  • Eat a buffalo (bison). I have had a buffalo burger before and it was interesting, but it didn't wow me. (The BA Burger beats a Bison Burger anytime!)
No what I mean was I spent quite a bit of time doing research on flavors, tastes, and foods that were uniquely Buffalo. Obviously Anchor Bar the home of Buffalo wings (or simply "Wings" as they call them in Buffalo) made the list. Also a unique sandwhich called a "Beef on Weck" occasionally spelled "Beef on Wick" made my list. Lastly, a beverage called Loganberry made the list, specifically "Aunt Rosie's Loganberry."
Back in college, I got hooked on Clearly Canadian bottle water especially the "Western Loganberry" flavor. Looking back I can't imagine how much I spent over the years for bottle of water. However, I never forgot the sweet tart fruity taste of Loganberry. So for the trip to Buffalo, I was psyched!
My first taste was in a pizza place that had it on tap. I had a big delicious cup full. But I wanted more. Later in a cross town excursion I found some bottles in a small convenience store hole in the wall. I bought all they had in stock: 2 bottles. I finished one immediately, and saved the other bottle for later. Later, it turns out, was the next afternoon. I figured I could easily find more before I left Buffalo, but sadly I never saw it again.
Once I returned home I started trying to find a supply. No one around here carries it. It is such a regional thing no one here has ever heard of it. So it was off to the internet! I found a place that ships Buffalo foods around the country. Buffalo Foods.com They sell it by the can but that can get expensive. I'd read that you can actually buy the Syrup and make it yourself at home. Sadly, no one seemed to have that.
Off and on over the years I have picked up the search for Loganberry Syrup. Eventually I get frustrated, and give up. I have even attempted to recruit Chris's wife, Amy (who is from Buffalo), and also my Krystal Ko-pilot Brian, who is also from Western New York. Sadly, little progress was ever made.
Earlier this year I heard rumors that Aunt Rosie's (which is bottled by Pepsi) had stopped making Loganberry. After a lot of scrambling and a few frantic e-mails I found that they are still making Loganberry, but the syrup is extremely difficult to find or perhaps they no longer sell it to the public.
At that point in time I looked to other sources. Two very early suppliers of Loganberry drinks were actually Canadian companies: Cronfelts and Smeaders. I have actually spoken to an executive at Cronfelts, but made little progress. (Apparently they don't think one guy in middle Georgia is enough of a market to start shipping to Macon.)
Late last week, I once again took up the search, and very quickly, I met amazing success. And this afternoon as I arrived home from work:
The bottle on the left is my 1 gallon bottle of Loganberry Syrup. The small skinny bottle is the 24 oz bottle I had while I was up in Buffalo. Yes, packed the empty bottle in my luggage and have saved it for 3 years. It has been sitting on a shelf in the dining room ever since I got home. Right beside a bottle of Anchor Bar Wing sauce. (Oh yes, I that loganberry left an impression!)
I was so excited I scooped it up and ran to the kitchen to tear into it. It was so heavy, and so purple, and so very beautiful. I simply HAD to have some.
I got an empty 1 liter bottle, and got ready to mix it up. All you need is water. It's a non carbonated beverage, so it's quite easy. Now, since I have been teaching a basic mathematics class this past week on base, you'll have to bear with me for a moment.
A 1 liter bottle is about 30oz (actually right at 33oz).
The Loganberry Syrup needs to be mixed 1 part syrup to 4 parts water, or a 1:4 ratio. That's 1/5 syrup, and 4/5 water.
So we'll take 30z and figure out how much water we need.
(4/5)*30oz. = (4/5)*(30/1) = (4/5)*(5*6)/1
so now we can cancel the 5's, giving:
(4/1)*(6/1) = (4*6) = 24oz of water!!
Next we need to figure out how much syrup we need.
(1/5)*30oz = (1/5)*(30/1) = (1/5)*(5*6)/1
and once again we can cancel the 5's:
(1/1)*(6/1) = (1*6) = 6oz of syrup!!
(Isn't math awesome? Well that's what I have been telling my students all this past week. And yes this is about the skill level I am teaching. Don't get me started!)
Next we add the syrup to the water. Just to be extra special I "double filtered" my water thru my Brita Water pitcher. Then added in the syrup, and "shook it like a Polaroid Picture!"
Now the down side to this was that the syrup had been sitting on the doorstep all day. Had this been a normal winter that would mean it would be "pre-chilled." Sadly, this winter feels a lot like last spring. My syrup was tepid. Loganberry is ALWAYS better cold, so I poured it over ice.
Unfortunately the difference in temperatures melted a lot of the ice so my first taste of the delicious elixir wasn't as strong as I remembered. That's OK though, cause there's a LOT more where that came from. This jug makes 5 gallons of Loganberry! Now all I have to do is find out if my "dealer" can keep me supplied. I'd rather not go thru 3 years of withdrawal symptoms again when this runs out.
What does all this have to do with Krystal? Nothing. Next question?
I do want to thank Chris and his wife Amy for getting me hooked on Loganberry. And thanks also to Brian who tried his best to help locate some for me.
Lastly, please don't email me to tell me there's a PJ's Loganberry sold all over. I've been told repeatedly that PJ's stinks, and Aunt Rosie's rules. While that debate may not rival Coke vs. Pepsi, I have chosen my side and will defend HER to the death! (Love ya Rosie!)
I'm A Krystal Lover

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# posted by JasonJ1052 @ 8:22 PM
Comments:
hey,, try to contact Vitality Foods in canada, they are in Toronto They have a syrup called Cronfelts. Im a Buffalonian and have been told this is the old Aunt Rosies. Good Luck.
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 4:32 PM
 
My best friend lives in Hawaii and loves Aunt Rosie's Loganberry. I am from buffalo and told her i would get her some. Unfortunately, I've been every where with no luck and when i asked someone at the supermarket they said they only stock it in the summer. So my question for you is where did you get that gallon of Aunt Rosie's Loganberry syrup?
# posted by Blogger simi812 : 1:34 AM
 
The gallon jug of Aunt Rosie's syrup was unfortunately one of the last. A guy in Buffalo bought the last 3 at his local grocer and sold them on Ebay. That was well over a year ago, probably closer to two years now.
Cronfelts sells Loganberry syrup and if you search my blog you'll find one or two comments giving advice on locating Cronfelts. I know it pops up on Ebay on occasion.
# posted by Blogger JasonJ1052 : 7:00 AM
 
They sell Cronfelts "Crystal Beach" (ask your Buffalo Buds they'll give you the 411 on CB) Loganberry syrup at Tops, 33.8oz, in Western, NY. I think it is better than Aunt Rosies!! ! They also sell it in gallons at The Ontario Bakery in Fort Erie, who buy the way also makes the best cheese ravioli you'll ever taste. It's located just a little ways past Happy Jacks on the left hand side.
# posted by Anonymous Blutorock@aol.com : 1:40 AM
 
I am from Buffalo and have lived in Tampa,FL for 23 years,every now and then my wife who is a born and raised Floridian get our hands on some Aunt Rosies,but we only bring it out on special ocassians,till it is gone.What we have found is if you mix 1 package of KOOL-AID grape and 1 package KOOL-AID blastin berry cherry 2 1/2 cups sugar 1gallon water it is very close.ENJOY Tim&Misty Tampa
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 6:16 PM
 
We held a blind taste test between Aunt Rosie's and Crystal Beach Loganberry. Crystal Beach Loganberry won hands down. I know Aunt Rosie's was the Buffalo original but Aunt Rosie's is quickly disappearing. If you're looking for Crystal Beach Loganberry Syrup, check out our website for FREE shipping and handling!
www.buffalocravings.com
# posted by Anonymous Carrie : 10:29 AM
 
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