acorn coffee

[farm]

walking through the woods today i noticeed vast amounts of acorns

i think you can make them into a coffee substitute

has anyone done this

if so how

and was it nice

thanks

[WendyS]

I seem to remember reading that they drank ersatz coffee made from acorns in Eastern Europe during the last war when there was a desperate shortage of food and people had to scavenge for whatever they could find. I believe the acorns are baked until hard and then ground up but I suspect the end result makes a very bitter "coffee" which is probably not very palatable. I'[m very curious, so If you're tempted to give it a try, do report back and let us know what it was like.

[WendyS]

Me again!  I was curious enough to enquire further and found this extract on a website which may be of interest:

The main problem in preparing acorns for human consumption is to get rid of the high levels of tannin, which they contain. This tannin is what has made the oak tree so valuable to leather workers, who used it to cure leather in ancient times. Tannin in the acorns and in the coral-like excretions on the limbs of the Boissieri variety. Tannin was also used as a base for paint and for medical purposes. If really hungry and lacking food, as happened during war years, bread and ersatz coffee can be made from acorns. How? First you peel them and put the kernels in a cloth bag, which can be left in a running stream for several days. Then you dry them in the sun, and can roast and grind some for a coffee-like beverage, and the rest you can grind into a flour from which you can make a crude bread".

Sounds like something Tom & Barbara would have done in the "The Good Life" but I guess when you're desperate you will try anything.

[Buenchico]

The recipe for Acorn Coffee is included on this page of recipes for Lithuanian Traditional Food;
http://ausis.gf.vu.lt/eka/food/drinks.html

Chris

[Narolines]

Some years ago I had quite a lot of acorn coffee pressed on me in Germany - it was FOUL: don't do it (unless you're a squirrel!).

[crisgal]

you can make perfume out of rose petals too, you know

[ivangel]

This type of coffee was used during the War Between the States in the USA by Confederate soldiers who lacked many of the basics in food supplies.. then it was just made when they boiled the acorns in water which left a bitter golden brew without even the benefit of caffeine.

[ivangel]

http://www.selfsufficientish.com/acorns.htm acorns contain tannin.. those in the USA have less.. so may not be as dangerous to use