The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-06-06
S TIONS
The Dandelion as Substitute for Coffe

1u6 Uauue1Ou dS 0uDSClLuC6 l0I COuee.
Nearly every paper which we have taken up
for months has contained an item mentioning
some substitute for coffee. As for finding a
real substitute for coffee and tea, it cannot be
done in the present state of knowledge. They
contain chemical substance peculiar to them
selves but we think that there are substances
that are more healthlul than coffee, and habit
will, perhaps, make. them as agreeable. To
our taste, the dandelion root (taraxacum) is
the best substitute for coffee that we have
ever seen. Indeed, we think small portion
of the root greatly improves the best Java
Coffee and it makes a very palatabe drink
alone. Mrs. Noodle, in her "Roughing it in
the Bush," thus gives her experience in the
use Of it.:
The first year we came to this country,
met with an account OF dandelion coffee, pub
lshed in the New YORK Albion, given BY a
DIR. Harrison, of Edinburgh, who earnestly
recommended it as an article OF general
use.
1T possesse,," he says, "all the fine flavor
and exhliratng properties OF coffee without
any of Its deleterious effects. This plant be-
ing of suporic nature, the coffee made from it
when drark at night produces tendency to
sleep, Instead OF exciting wakefuiness, and
may be safely used as a cheap and wholesome
substitute for the Arabian berry, being equal
In substance and favor to the best Mocha
COFFEE
Twas much struck with this paragraph at
the time, and for several years felt great in
clnatiou to try the Doctors coffee; but some
nlng or other always came In the way, and
It was put on until another opportunity Dur
ing the fall of '35, was assisting my husband
In taking up crop OF potatoes in the field.
aud observing vast number Of fine dande-
lion roots among the potatoes, it brought the
dandelion coffee back TO my memory, and l
determined to try some for supper. Without
saying word TO my husband | threw aside
some OF the roots, and when we left work,
collecting sufficient quantity for the expert
ment, carefully washed the roots quite clean,
without deprivlng them of the fine brown
skin which covers them. and which contains
the aromatic favour, which so nearly resem-
bles coffee that it is difficult to distinguish 1t
from II while roasting. ! cut my roots into
small pieces the size Of kidney-bean, and
roasted them on an iron baking-pan until
they we're as brown and crisp as coffee.
then ground and transferred small cupful of
the powder TO the coffee-pot, pouring upon 1t
scaidng water and boiling it for few min
utes briskly over the fire. The result was far 1
beyond my expectations The coffee proved
excellent-far superior to the common coffee
we procured at the stores.
To persons residing In the bush, and to
whom tea and coffee are very expensive arti-
cles of luxury, the knowledge of this valuable
property in plant, would prove highly bene-
ncial. For years we used no other article,
and my Indian friends who frequented the
house gladly adopted the root and made me
show them the whole process of manufactur-
ing it into coffee.
Experience taught me that the root Of the
dandelon is not SO good, when applied to this
purpose, in the spring as In the fall. tried
1t in the spaing, but the juice Of the plant,
having contributed to the production ofleaves
and flowers was weak, and destitute of the
fine bitter flavor so peculiar to coffee. The
time OF gathering in the potato crop is the
best for collecting and drying the roots of the
dandelion; and as they always abound In the
same hills, both may be accomplished at the
same time. Those who want to keep guam
tity for winter use may wash and cut up the
roots, and dry them on boards in the sum-
They will keep for years, and can be roasted
when required.
She further adds her testimony to the use
fitness of this common inhabitant Of the
fields:
Few Of our colonists are acquainted with
the many uses to which this neglected but
most valuable plant may be applied. / will
point out few which have come under my
own observation, convinced as / am that the
time will come when this hardy weed, with
its golden flowers and curious seed vessels,
which form constant plaything TO the little
children rolling about and luxuriating among
the grass, in the sunny moath of May, will be
transplanted In our gardens, aud tended with
due care. The dandelion planted in trenches,
and blanched to a beautiful cream-color with
straw, makes an excellent salad, quite equal
to endive, and is more hardy and requires less
care.
In many parts Of the United States, partic-
ularly in new districts where vegetables are
scarce, it is used early in the spring, and
boiled with pork as substitute for cabbage.
During our residence in the bush we found it,
In the early part Of May, a great addition to
the dinner-table. In the township of Dummer,
the settlers boil the tops, and add hops to the
liquor, which they ferment, and from which
they obtain excellent beer. / have never
tasted this simple beverage, but / have been
told by those who use it that it is equal to the
table-beer used at home.