Making Hardtack



by MHM
27 October 2018

  Biscuit or “sea bread”, is nothing more than wheat flour and water mixed, and baked. By 1812, it was known as “hardtack”, and taken west by several Rocky Mountain trapping parties (Luttig's 1812 party, for example). It was a staple of English colonists, seafarers, and part of US Army and Navy rations since their founding. 

  I’ve used ordinary store bought all purpose enriched wheat flour, which has some ground barley in it also. After mixing the dough to the proper consistency, it is then kneaded, cut, and spread out about ¼” thick on an ungreased baking pan in 4” diameter biscuits (or squares, if you prefer). Holes are made every inch or so on the surface of the biscuit, which is then baked at low temperature at 350 degrees F, 45 minutes per side.  
  In 2005, I made about a half pound of biscuit for living history demonstration purposes. While many of the biscuits have been broken while being handled, they still retain their taste after thirteen years, and as long as the flour is insect free and remains dry, you have a long term and inexpensive survival food handy.

 Biscuit dating from 1784

mhm

Old School Survival (OSS) blog
27 October 2018