Ron the Yarn Spinner

 

“joe”

 Why is  coffee sometimes referred to as "joe" or "cup of joe."

 

Perhaps it’s because "joe" refers to Josephus Daniels, the Secretary of the Navy during World War I who banned alcohol on Navy ships, making coffee the strongest drink available to sailors. Sailors began to call coffee "a cup of Joe" in reference to him. In truth, however, we just don’t know. But while the origin of this nickname is unclear  "joe" has become a widely recognized and endearing term for coffee-drinkers throughout the U.S. and many of us can’t start the day with a cup of coffee. 66% of Americans drink coffee daily: 150 million in fact . Imagine daily life without coffee. Worse, imagine you are a soldier in battle and your are deprived of your “joe.” WW I ? No, WW II ? No. How about the American Civil War?

 

Ten months into the War, the Union was short in short supply of coffee, and this threatened to sap the fighting strength of the Northern army.  Coffee was viewed as a source of energy and a morale booster. It was considered almost as vital as gunpowder. Union General Benjamin Butler actually ordered his troops to always carry coffee. He told his officers, “If your men get their coffee early in the morning, you can hold your position.” The trouble was, the Union had shot themselves in the foot, so to speak by the blockade of Southern ports. Coffee was mostly imported from Brazil was down to a trickle. By 1863 the U.S. received only one-half much Brazilian coffee as it did in 1860 and the demand had quadrupled since fighting began. The Union made a commitment to provide ...ready?......36 pounds of coffee to each soldier per year. But where to get it? They found a work-around.

The Union managed to get coffee from Liberia through established trade routes and the use of blockade runners. Liberia, being an independent African nation with significant American influence and established trade relations, exported coffee to the Union. The Union naval blockade primarily targeted Confederate ports, which allowed Union merchants more freedom to continue trade with international partners, including Liberia. This trade ensured a steady supply of coffee to the Union despite the ongoing conflict.

 

The Union’s ability to source coffee from these suppliers boosted morale. One Union soldier wrote,” What keeps me alive, must be the coffee.” Bonus: Liberian coffee was found to be stronger with better flavor and aroma.

 

The Confederate soldiers, however,  were so short on coffee, they even  tried brewing acorn grounds and even sweet potatoes. Military discipline suffered.

But lack of coffee was symptomatic of the broader logistical and economic challenges faced by the Confederacy. There were also shortages of food, weapons, and medical supplies, which weakened Confederate forces over time. The Union's victory was primarily due to a combination of factors such as superior industrial capacity, larger population, better infrastructure, effective military strategies, and strong leadership. The coffee shortage, nonetheless, was a contributing factor to the overall decline in Confederate morale and efficiency. At the Confederate surrender at Appomattox in April 1865, Michigan soldier Wiliam Smith noted that all the Confederate soldiers present were licking their lips hopefully with “ a keen relish for a cup or Yankee coffee.”

Meme:

After the Boston Tea Party, drinking coffee and not tea became a sure sign of loyalty to Independence and by 1830, “We” were drinking five times as much  coffee as tea. A cup of ‘joe” three times a day, hooked my Union soldiers to making this a lifelong peacetime habit forever changing the U.S. Coffee market. About 150 million people in the U.S. drink coffee daily. Many start their day with “joe” making it a deeply ingrained part of American culture and daily routine.

 

Liberian Coffee?  You are going to shop around to find it.

It is known for its bold, smoky, and woody flavors with hints of floral and fruity notes.: Liberica coffee is less widely cultivated and consumed than Arabica and Robusta, making it a rare and unique option for coffee enthusiasts seeking new and different flavors.