Hardtack

Hello Sugar Lovers!

I have been reading a lot of history books lately so I though that incorporating that into my blog could be fun! I was trying to think of what baked good to write about with any historical significance. There are just so many that I found it kind of daunting on where to start. A bit of researching and vuala we have the hard biscuit. I was pretty excited when I thought of doing this as I have actually had this and it is definitely an experience.

So I should probably explain what a hard biscuit actually is. It’s pretty much just like it sounds. A really hard and dense biscuit. I was trying to see where exactly it originated from. I feel like this is hard to say as I am fairly certain every area had its own. Reason being as this was a food that was often used by soldiers and sailors. So it stands to reason that there was a form of it in different areas of the world.

This recipe is very simple it is just flour, water and salt. I have included a recipe link below for the directions on how to make it. Shout out to food.com for finding an easy and accessible recipe! I debated on whether or not to make it but I decided not to as I didn’t want to waist ingredients for something that we will probably not end up eating.

https://www.food.com/recipe/simple-hardtack-511497

You can also get these in packages. I tried some years ago by Purity (it’s just called Hard Bread). So why was this used by sailors and soldiers? My guess is it is cost effective and does not spoil easily. Nowadays the recipe is probably much different for the ones that you get in packages. It is basically bread that has a nice brick like consistency. You usually had to soak it in something for awhile before you could actually take a bite. They would use any liquid they could find. I would recommend maybe some soup if your wanting to try it.

This is not a gourmet meal and this is your warning that if you do make it soak it in something. Believe me your teeth will thank me.

I could see how this would apply today for people who go on long journeys (biking, hiking etc) cross country type of thing or very lengthy hikes like the PCT.

There honestly isn’t to much to say about it because it is so simple. It is strange to think about how something so simple made such a huge impact on our history. Could you imagine if we didn’t have that? Things would be a lot different.

Maybe I should give it a shot? What do you guys think?

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Happy Baking Everyone!

Your Friendly Neighbourhood Baker

P.S. Another shout out to Purity which is where the image is from. I am not sure if they still make the hard bread as I could not find it on their website.