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- Now Florida but always a Kentuckian
Always looking for coffee substitutes during the war years. This information was found in "History of Nebraska. Coffee was replaced with dried barley, rye and corn. The "Nebraska Farmer" in March 1862 includes several recipes for substitutes. These two recipes suggested dried carrots and okra seeds.
H.A. Terry wrote "During these War times, when real coffee is worth 25 to 33 cents per pound, it is necessary for farmers and farmers wives to cast about for a cheaper substitute for the real article; and from my experience, I can recommend the following:
Carrots These are prepared and used as follows: Wash and slice across in pieces a half inch thick, and dry in the sun or stove oven, so as to not cook them. When dry, brown and use the same as coffee. Prepared in this manner, equal parts carrots and coffee is an excellent substitute for the genuine Rio."
He went on to write: "Okra or Gumbo- This makes the best coffee of any article I have ever used as a substitute for coffee. The seed should be browned the same as coffee and makes a very palatable drink alone but is a little better if a little coffee is used with it. The plant is very productive and is easily grown. An ounce of the seed will produce enough for almost any family. The seed can be procured of any seedsman for 25 to 30 cents per ounce."
from "Early Nebraskan Coffee Substitutes Include Carrots, Okra", History Nebraska.
H.A. Terry wrote "During these War times, when real coffee is worth 25 to 33 cents per pound, it is necessary for farmers and farmers wives to cast about for a cheaper substitute for the real article; and from my experience, I can recommend the following:
Carrots These are prepared and used as follows: Wash and slice across in pieces a half inch thick, and dry in the sun or stove oven, so as to not cook them. When dry, brown and use the same as coffee. Prepared in this manner, equal parts carrots and coffee is an excellent substitute for the genuine Rio."
He went on to write: "Okra or Gumbo- This makes the best coffee of any article I have ever used as a substitute for coffee. The seed should be browned the same as coffee and makes a very palatable drink alone but is a little better if a little coffee is used with it. The plant is very productive and is easily grown. An ounce of the seed will produce enough for almost any family. The seed can be procured of any seedsman for 25 to 30 cents per ounce."
from "Early Nebraskan Coffee Substitutes Include Carrots, Okra", History Nebraska.
Bringing the