Coffee substitute

Common card · No. 267839

Coffee substitutes are non-coffee products, usually without caffeine, that are used to imitate coffee. Coffee substitutes can be used for medical, economic and religious reasons, or simply because coffee is not readily available. Roasted grain beverages are common substitutes for coffee. In World War II, acorns were used to make coffee, as well as roasted chicory and grain. Postum, a bran and molasses beverage, also became a popular coffee substitute during this time. During the American Civil War coffee was also scarce in the Southern United States: For the stimulating property to which both tea and coffee owe their chief value, there is unfortunately no substitute; the best we can do is to dilute the little stocks which still remain, and cheat the palate, if we cannot deceive the nerves. Things like rye and ground sweet potato were some of the most popular substitutes at this time. Coffee substitutes are sometimes used in preparing food and drink served to children, to people who believe...

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