What is the survival food Hardtack and why is it one of the best throughout history?
It’s a simple type of biscuit or cracker made from flour, water, and sometimes salt and has a long history as a durable, long-lasting food source for travelers, soldiers, and sailors. Its origins date back thousands of years, with evidence of similar unleavened bread being used by ancient Egyptian, Roman, and Mesopotamian armies. The Roman army made Bucellatum which was a Twice-baked, rock-hard wheat biscuits issued to legionaries on campaign. Soldiers carried 3–4 days’ worth in a sack (sagina) and softened it in water, vinegar (posca), or stew. The egyptians called HardTack “Ta” which was a flat, dense wheat or emmer loaves baked hard for Nile expeditions or desert garrisons. Sometimes pierced and strung by rope. The name “hardtack” is believed to have emerged in the 18th or 19th century, combining “hard” with “tack,” a slang term for food.
During the Age of Sail (16th to 19th centuries), hardtack became a staple for naval crews due to its ability to remain edible for months or even years if kept dry. It was a key provision on long voyages, such as those of Christopher Columbus and other explorers. The British Royal Navy referred to it as “ship’s biscuit,” while American sailors called it “hardtack” or “pilot bread.” The classic weevily, rock-hard wheat biscuit (4–6 inches square, ½ inch thick). This naval ration was carried by Columbus’ voyages (1492): Santa María carried bizcocho (Spanish hardtack). The Royal Navy (18th cent.) carried enough hardtack (Sea Biscuit) to supply 1 lb per man per day; stored in “bread rooms to keep it dry.
In the 19th century, hardtack gained prominence during military campaigns, notably the American Civil War (1861–1865). Both Union and Confederate armies relied on it as a ration because it was inexpensive, easy to produce in large quantities, and resistant to spoilage. Soldiers often soaked it in coffee, soup, or water to make it more palatable, and it was sometimes infested with weevils or maggots due to poor storage conditions, earning nicknames like “worm castles” or “tooth dullers.”
Kyle K –
The word hard doesn’t do it justice, but it is edible. I soak mine in my coffee. haha. This stuff will outlast me for sure.
George M –
ok. it’s hard and actually tastes pretty good. You can use it as defense by throwing at intruders if necessary.