Coffee Brick Currency

• Origins: Coffee bricks were primarily used in regions where coffee was both a staple and a luxury item. By compressing roasted and ground coffee into solid blocks, traders could standardize its size and value for trade.
• Production: The bricks were created by steaming and pressing coffee grounds into molds. This process made them durable for transport and easy to break into portions when traded or consumed.
• Trade Value: These coffee bricks were highly valuable in remote areas where traditional coinage or paper money was scarce. In some cases, they were valued similarly to gold or silver for their rarity and demand.
• Dual Use: Unlike traditional currency, coffee bricks had a practical function: they could be consumed. This added an intrinsic value, ensuring they were always in demand.
• Origins: Coffee bricks were primarily used in regions where coffee was both a staple and a luxury item. By compressing roasted and ground coffee into solid blocks, traders could standardize its size and value for trade.
• Production: The bricks were created by steaming and pressing coffee grounds into molds. This process made them durable for transport and easy to break into portions when traded or consumed.
• Trade Value: These coffee bricks were highly valuable in remote areas where traditional coinage or paper money was scarce. In some cases, they were valued similarly to gold or silver for their rarity and demand.
• Dual Use: Unlike traditional currency, coffee bricks had a practical function: they could be consumed. This added an intrinsic value, ensuring they were always in demand.

Coffee During Naval Battles

• Civil War Coffee: During the Civil War, Union sailors and soldiers often drank coffee on ships as a morale booster. Coffee was so important that it was issued as a regular ration.
• World War II: During WWII, American Navy ships carried massive amounts of coffee, with brewing stations strategically placed throughout ships to ensure access for sailors at all times.

• High Value: Tea bricks were highly prized for their dual function. They could be shaved or broken into pieces to brew tea or traded for goods and services.
• Durable and Portable: The compressed form made tea bricks easy to transport, resistant to spoilage, and durable for long journeys across rough terrains.
• Monetary Standards: In some regions, the value of tea bricks was standardized, with specific weights or sizes equating to certain monetary values.

Tea and Maritime Communities

• Seaport Tea Culture: In major American port cities like Boston, New York, and Charleston, tea was central to social life. Tea houses near docks were frequented by sailors and merchants for relaxation and business dealings.
• Tea as Hospitality: Offering tea to visiting sailors was a common custom in coastal communities, symbolizing warmth and welcome.