Q&A for How to Make Hardtack

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Does soft hard tack last the same length of time?
    Richard Torres
    Community Answer
    The soft hardtack normally does not last as long as the normal or "historical" one, so if you are going to do a long travel, it's better that you use the normal one.
  • Question
    How long would the tack last if you use honey or stevia instead of sugar?
    Community Answer
    Well the honey wouldn't go bad, but the moisture from it would most probably cause the other ingredients to grow mold. So probably only a few weeks/months. It'd be easier to just keep honey around for when you are ready to eat and just pour honey directly on then. If stevia were used in granulated, not liquid form, it should be the same as sugar but you'd need to experiment to see how it turns out––tell the wikiHow community how it turns out if you do try it!
  • Question
    Do I use self-rising or regular flour? Does it matter?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it would matter. Using self-rising flour with water and salt (and maybe butter) would create a biscuit instead of a hardtack cracker.
  • Question
    Can I use whole grain flour instead?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Using whole grain flour would increase the authenticity. Hard tack would originally have been made with whole grain flour.
  • Question
    Can I make it with cornmeal flour?
    Community Answer
    No. Cornmeal will give you something that doesn't resemble hardtack at all.
  • Question
    Does putting the finished hardtack into a pan of bacon grease add flavor?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it will, but the grease is mostly used to soften the hardtack. It will not add much flavor until it gets soggy with the grease because the hard tack is so hard it takes a while to absorb the liquid.
  • Question
    How many calories per what size piece?
    Community Answer
    It's impossible to say for sure, but you can find the traditional calorie counts for the ingredients (for example, a cup of flour is usually around 490 calories) and then divide the total by the number of pieces you're making.
  • Question
    Is there anyway I can change the flavor?
    Community Answer
    To increase the protein, you can use very finely ground almonds for a more pleasant taste. Most seasonings that are already dried will work, too. Adding in sugar or other flavorings will work, but can lessen their shelf life.
  • Question
    Can I use half Bisquick and half flour?
    Ollieoxenfree
    Community Answer
    No.
  • Question
    What is the shelf life of softer hardtack?
    Community Answer
    It's much shorter than the ordinary one. If you need something that can hold up, you should make the normal recipe. It seems that the soft one is mainly used as a quick snack.
  • Question
    Would using spices decrease the shelf-life?
    Community Answer
    It shouldn't really make a difference with the shelf-life.
  • Question
    Could honey be used to add some flavor to the hardtack since honey doesn't deteriorate?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it may cause other ingredients to mold or decrease in shelf life.
  • Question
    Can seasonings, such as rosemary or other herbs, be added without affecting the shelf life?
    Community Answer
    Dried herbs won't affect the shelf life as they are completely dehydrated, unlike other flavorings such as sugar and honey.
  • Question
    If I sprinkle salt on top before it gets cooked, like a cracker, will it last just as long?
    Community Answer
    The salt will attract moisture, which will lessen the shelf life.
  • Question
    What spices should I use when making hardtack?
    VermontGal
    Top Answerer
    Traditional hardtack does not have flavoring other than salt. It was not meant to be a flavorful food item.
  • Question
    Should I not use coconut or almond flours when making hardtack?
    Community Answer
    No, it will come out as something not even close to hardtack, same with corn or any wheat substitute.
  • Question
    Would adding salt to the overall mixture before baking affect its shelf life?
    Community Answer
    Not really. If the hardtack is kept dry, it lasts for decades, with or without salt. The reason that traditional hardtack doesn't have salt is that there was plenty of salt in most other foods provided to soldiers and sailors (like salt pork).
  • Question
    Can I add herbs for taste without affecting the shelf life?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can add oregano, basil, or other spices without affecting the shelf life.
  • Question
    How would adding lime or lemon juice with the water affect the shelf life?
    Anson S
    Community Answer
    It shouldn't meaningfully affect the shelf life, so long as the hard bread is fully dried.
  • Question
    Can I use well water and bleached flour?
    Community Answer
    The original hardtack was often made with well water, so it should work. Bleached flour will work, but the original was made using whole grain flour.
  • Question
    How long can hardtack be preserved in the right conditions?
    Community Answer
    Estimates vary. It can last about a year.
  • Question
    Would adding a bit of cinnamon affect the time it lasts?
    Community Answer
    No, any seasoning that is dry will work. So, you could use a variety of things of you wish, as long as the do not add any moisture to the biscuit. Use as much cinnamon as you wish!
  • Question
    Is hardtack able to be made with any type of carbohydrate added to it, but maintain its nutritional and shelf life qualities?
    Community Answer
    Not on the shelf life aspect. The thing you have to think of most is moisture levels and anything that can go rancid by itself. If you add nuts, they can spoil. If you add honey, it adds more moisture. Sugars can easily attract bacterial growth if improperly stored. And so on. The main thing is, keep an eye on the big picture. Hardtack is the product of several hundred, if not thousands of years of trial and error. It's not a luxury food, it's a survival food.
  • Question
    Can I make it without an oven or microwave?
    Community Answer
    No. Baking the tack is what makes it hard.
  • Question
    Could I use tea instead of water?
    Community Answer
    That would change the flavor of the hardtack. But you could at least try it to see if it works for you.
  • Question
    What is the nutritional value of hardtack and how log can you survive on it?
    VermontGal
    Top Answerer
    Hardtack is similar in nutrition to saltine crackers. It is high in carbohydrates, but very little in protein, vitamins, or minerals. People have survived on such a diet for weeks in dire situations, but it is not recommended.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article