3 Wild Alternatives to Coffee That Can Save the Day

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Can you imagine living without coffee if you’re in a survival situation or prolonged crisis?  Most people can’t, and this is one reason why coffee is one of the first things that people add to their bug out bags and emergency stockpiles.  However, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that something unfortunate could happen that causes supplies to run out.

Fortunately, there are few alternatives to coffee that are readily-available in nature, and knowing how to put them to use can be invaluable in a pinch.  Let’s take a look at three of the most common, and abundant, ways to get your energy fix.

Dandelion and Chicory

The long tap root of dandelion and chicory have compounds that can produce effects that are similar to caffeine.   All you need to do is gather at least 10 plants, cut off their roots, give them a good rinse, and spread them out on a baking sheet.  Place them in a 350 degree oven and roast the roots for 30-45 minutes.  Give them a turn as needed in order to ensure even-drying, and you’ll know they are done once they develop a rich brown color.  You can also roast them over a fire as long as you can regulate temperatures and keep them from burning.

The trick is to remove them from heat before they start to burn, otherwise the drink will have a foul, smoky flavor.  Remove from heat, let the roots cool to the touch, and grind or mash them into coarse grounds.  You can use the grounds right away, or you can store them in an airtight container or vacuum-sealed Mylar bag.  The grounds should remain fresh for around two months.

When you’re ready to make a cup, add a tablespoon of grounds to a cup of boiling water, cover, and let it steep for about 5 minutes.  You can also place the grounds in a tea bag or coffee filter if you don’t want bits of root material floating in your drink.

Acorns

Acorns are a time-tested coffee alternative, and one of the benefits is that you don’t have to roast the nuts.  Gather a couple of handfuls of acorns, and boil them for about 20 minutes.  This will soften the outer shell, which makes peeling them easier, and boiling also helps to reduce bitterness in the finished product.

The next step is to remove the nuts from the shells before letting them dry out in a warm location for about 24 hours.  This will be the most tedious part of the process as you may need to pry apart the shells, or smash them, in order to get at the nuts.  When finished, coarsely-grind the nuts before letting them air-dry for another day or so before storing them.  However, you can use moist grounds for cups that you want to brew right away.

To make the improvised coffee, add about 2-3 tablespoons of grounds to a cup of boiling water, and let it steep for about 5 minutes before drinking.  You can also put them in tea bags or coffee filters as well.

Remember that you can make the drinks stronger or weaker by adjusting the amount of grounds just like you would with coffee.  You can also add creamer and sugar to taste as well.  While these may not be the perfect alternatives to coffee, they can definitely fill in the gap until you can get your hands on some fresh supplies.

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