In the novel “Patriots”, one of the characters scrounges a packet of Sanka from an MRE and complains that the coffee has run out. In the Civil War, Southerners used chicory as a substitute, which (to say the least) is an acquired taste. These unfortunate uses of ersatz coffees can be avoided, if the prudent survivalist plans ahead and learns the relevant skills now.
Beans
Coffee is harvested from the fruit of the coffee tree, and the fruit discarded. Its inner green seed is the bean itself, which is then roasted, ground, and sold in your local market. This is the fundamental commodity that a survivalist would stock. Therefore, we need to know how to get the beans, how to store them, and what to do with them once we have them.
There are several green bean suppliers on the Internet. The author frequents a [vendor web] site called Sweet Maria’s, which not only supplies the beans but also roasting equipment and advice. Most of their equipment is expensive and electric-powered, but they have good prices and good advice. Other sites include Bald Mountain Coffee, Marlton Coffee, and Our Coffee Barn. Local organic food stores may also stock green beans. Shop around, save your cash. I have managed to see cost savings approaching 50% over roasted coffee beans. Given how easy the roasting can be, you might wonder just what you’re getting for your money when you go to Fourbucks.
While cheaper than roasted beans bought at the store, coffee is a commodity, and subject to inflation. After all, its value stays constant, as green beans can be kept almost indefinitely, but its cost rises as the dollar depreciates. Buying now will cost more today but pay off later. Buying small quantities over time will likely be the most economical option for most. Buying later will be difficult and painful.
I buy green coffee in 10 pound sacks. Given how much my wife and I drink on a daily basis, this works out to approximately a year’s supply at 1 cup a day. Heavier drinkers should plan on more, but physiological effects should be taken into account when making your purchase.
If you do not plan to purchase mass quantities all at once, buy twice as much as you need. That way you can save half the beans and brew the rest, slowly stockpiling for The Crunch. You will end up paying more in shipping (unless you find a local supplier), but it may be prudent, especially if you wish to avoid debt.
Regardless of the amount you plan to buy, have at least one month’s supply of decaf beans on hand. Towards the end, when the bean supply runs low, decaf beans can be added so as to decrease the negative effects of caffeine withdrawal. A good way to notice if your caffeine intake is too high is to skip coffee for a day. If you suffer a headache, pour less the next morning. You’ll be thankful you did when the beans run out.
Roasting
The method that is easiest for roasting coffee is to use a hot-air popcorn popper. The beans are added and the power applied, causing the beans to fly in the popper and fall back to the chamber. It requires the least amount of effort and produces the fastest results, but requires the popper to be cleaned thoroughly afterwards (so that residual oils do not catch fire the next time).
A more practical solution for a survival retreat would be to use a cast-iron container and an oven. The oven is heated to a high temperature and the beans left in the container to roast. The author has not tried this method, but recommends practicing it as often as possible, if you can’t spare the electricity for a hot-air popper.
As the coffee roasts, the outer hull of the bean will separate. These are quite light, and if you use a hot air popper they will go flying. They make an excellent addition to a compost pile. If you use an oven, they will stay in the cast iron container, but may be more difficult to separate without a screen of some sort.
After the hulls separate a short period will pass before the beans start to crack. This is normal, and indicates the gases in the bean are expanding and escaping. Watch the bean color closely, as the uniformity of the roast is indicated by the uniformity of the color across the beans. When the beans are the desired color, remove from heat and leave to cool. They will continue to emit gas. For this reason, roasting is ideally done outside or where there is a vent handy.
Grinding
The beans must be ground before they can be filtered, and most stores sell relatively cheap blade grinders or the more expensive burr grinders. These are not the best solutions for long term preparation, but are a nice luxury if you have the power to spare.
An alternative is a hand cranked grinder. Many camping outfitters stock backpack grinders that can grind enough beans for one or two people for a day. However, these are not sufficient long term solutions either, as they are typically made of plastic and spare parts aren’t available from the supplier.
A general purpose food grinder would be sufficient for coffee beans, as long as spare parts are available. It should be cleaned between uses so that the bean oils do not clog the grinding surfaces.
In a pinch, beans could be ground between two stones. If this is done, however, be careful to use a quality filter, unless you like your coffee with extra grit.
Brewing
A fresh water supply is necessary for coffee, and should be clean, clear, and safe to drink. Water issues are discussed in detail elsewhere on SurvivalBlog, and study of such is left as an assignment to the reader.
A reusable filter is not only more economical in the long run than paper filters, but also more durable and environmentally friendly (if you care). Keep 2 on hand, so that if one breaks or is damaged a replacement is available.
A percolator or french press are likely the best choices for brewing without grid power. A percolator operates by plumbing. As the water is heated, it rises through a pipe to a tray above the water, where the coffee grounds are kept. It filters through the grounds and returns to the water supply. A french press is a jar with a filter attached to a plunger. The grounds are added, hot water is poured in, and the mix is capped and left to steep. When done, the plunger is pressed and the filter pushes the grounds to the bottom, where they stay. Regardless of brewing method, a metal apparatus is better than glass. Dropping the metal brewer may only dent it, but glass will shatter.
Storing
Green coffee can be kept much longer than roasted coffee, without detriment to the taste of the drink. The beans start losing flavor when they are roasted, but the flavor stays as long as the beans are green.
If storing inside, beans should be kept separate from other foods and in their own container. Avoid humidity, as this can breed mold. A multi-purpose food grade plastic container works well for the purpose.
If stored outside, or in a cache somewhere, precautions should be taken to protect the beans from decay. In most cases, storing it like you would a grain supply is best – avoid moisture, seal to protect form vermin intrusion, and avoid sunlight and heat. One method that could have dual purpose would be to put the beans in a Mason jar and fill with carbon dioxide, using a dry ice method. That way you would have beans and canning supplies on hand.
Other Uses
A post-TEOTWAWKI world would have a great many people eager for a caffeine fix, and coffee beans would be a great trade commodity. You could also teach people how to roast them, for a price. Aside from that, coffee beans should be kept out of sight. Most people don’t prepare for disasters, and fewer still stock up on coffee. If word gets out that you [still] drink coffee, it might draw unwanted attention. Use caution. [JWR Adds: Sources of caffeine such as coffee also have some tactical utility in increasing wakefulness on occasion for folks that are put on perimeter security during late night and early morning hours. I’ve never been a coffee drinker, but I can see the wisdom of storing some–both for barter and as a mild stimulant.]
Conclusion
Emergency preparedness is about making sure a drastic change in society negatively affects you as little as possible. Coffee can help ease such a transition, if simple preparations are made in advance. As with all things, you should prepare for the day when you can’t get it anymore, and avoid addiction to it at the same time.