Any Coffee Drinkers?

I saw this topic touched on in another post and then get lost, but I want to find a solution. I love a freshly brewed pot of coffee. The rich aroma just warms my soul. Coffee beans thrive in tropical conditions, but I won’t be seeing any tropical days in hills of Tennessee. Any tips on growing tropical plants outside of the tropics? Or any suggestions on teas I could grow that are similar to coffee? I have never tried a tea that I like; they are always so bitter to me. I mean I could go without coffee if I need to, but if I can grow my own now and save money, why not? My end goal is to be self-sustaining so I need to find a solution to coffee or kick the habit now I guess.

 

I don't really like the idea of just stockpiling goods. I would like to be self-sustaining until I am forced to leave my home. If/when I am forced from my home I will be forced to leave what I cannot carry of my stockpile behind.

 

I am not sure what the climate is in Tennessee but why not try a small greenhouse. If you need it moist... Simulate it... If. You need it warm put plexiglass on top... You truly have endless possibilities!

 

Do you have any experience with greenhouses? I don't have much. How is the upkeep on them?

 

Not greenhouses as such but some components... Definitely. If you build it from plexiglass it is uv resistant and can stand up to the outside pretty well. We built aircraft canopies from them and they had to pass stringent all weather tests. I believe if you maybe do the side from wood and then treat it properly it should last you a lifetime. I've seen treatments that include both all weather resistance and termite repellent. Additionally if you build it yourself you could save a fortune and you would be more proficient in construction. There are apps available from Google Playstore which can help you draft your perfect design. Hope this helps.

 

This is great information! Thanks! I have some experience building so I could probably handle it. Maybe I will take a stab at it sometime.

 

If you get stuck, there are some great videos on YouTube. Some guy even built one using old pallets.

 

They have everything on there, don't they?!

 

They sure do!

 

Look up Yaupon Holly. This is supposed to be a really good natural coffee substitute. It is native in the south but might grow where you are too. Here's a description of a Texas site about its uses and caffeine content. It even tells you how to dry it.

http://www.foragingtexas.com/search/label/Caffeine

 

A fresh bag of coffee beans has a labeled shelf life for 1 year. They usually last longer though, If stored properly. I would probably go for an air tight container.

 

http://www.coffeeresearch.org/coffee/homegrowing.htm

Most people would have googled it then ask questions.
Like, "has anyone here grown coffee".
I buy Gavalia coffee at the grocery already ground but beans are available.
I've bought beans and have a small electric coffee grinder and love fresh ground coffee.
But as has been pointed out I will have far, far, more important things to be concerned about in a
post shtf situation.
Perhaps that's we are here learning about preparing for such events.

Stocking up on coffee is one small part of my prepping plans.
Well behind staying alive.
Still it's a good question as it got responses.
There are NO dumb questions.
Growing coffee in N.E. Ohio isn't practical.
There is a natural wild available substitute for coffee.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicory

I've done that.
Chicory isn't bad if eaten but in my opinion it ain't as good as coffee but it will work.

What ever am I going to do without my Pepsi?????????????????????????????????

 

I gave up alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and made a choice to stick with one awesome woman......so coffee might hurt but I'll survive. I will taper off my addiction with my stored coffee (rotated) and instant coffee. I was actually thinking instant coffee might be a good barter item to stock up on. I have no idea if you can grow coffee in Texas where we can grow just about everything else except cranberries. If hot and humid are required, I guess Houston and south would be the place.

 

Wonder what the "shelf life" of instant coffee is?
I googled and found this:
http://www.eatbydate.com/drinks/coffee-tea-shelf-life/coffee-shelf-life-expiration-date/

and this:

Instant Coffee (freeze dried) lasts for2-20 Years to Indefinite.

Thar ya go.

No need to thank me just send check, money order, or cash.

 

We do enjoy coffee. However, there is basically no way to grow it in our location. Instead, we just stockpile sealed canisters of the stuff. It is relatively inexpensive and lasts a long time. Ditto with black tea; can't grow it here, but can stockpile vacuum sealed tea.

 

Me too.

 

Did you say "coffee"? Here I am!

I've been completely addicted to coffee since Always. It's one of my favorite drinks in the whole world (I know the world is too big, but overcoming coffee is something that requires a lot of work ). I like to drink coffee anyway, except for pure coffee (which I only take in the latter case, when there is no any alternative available).

 

Anyone not a coffee drinker is a weird person or from England.
Same difference.
( it's a JOKE! don't get'cher shorts all twisted )
Everyone knows that England is the place to be.
Unarmed and unafraid.

 

I think trying to grow coffee even if you have a greenhouse, would be quite difficult. You would have to really study how to do it. I think stockpiling coffee or beans would make much more sense in the long run. I mean it lasts a very long time, and you could conceivably save enough to last for years.

 

LOL! Well, for a good chunk of my adult life, I drank only black tea for caffeine delivery. I'm not from England, but have been accused of being weird on more than one occasion.

 

I love black tea.
English Breakfast.

Earl Grey is another favorite.

 

While I will drink either tea or coffee I'm never desperate for either. I can however imagine the satisfaction of growing, picking, drying, roasting and brewing your own coffee beans.
I wish you good luck with your project.