Chickpea Coffee

“The new coffee can be enjoyed just like pre-war coffee, because people come to cafés not only for the coffee,” wrote one newspaper.

INGREDIENTS

• Chickpeas
• Water

PREPARATION

All you need to do is roast some chickpeas in the oven at 300 degrees until they achieve the “color of roasted coffee beans,” then grind the brown-black chunks (in a blender, coffee grinder, or mill) to the consistency of instant coffee (“Larger pieces are better than very fine grinding”). To prepare a pot of “chickpea coffee,” simply boil the chickpea granules in water. However, be sure to let the boiled pot sit for a few minutes before pouring—or use a tea strainer—to prevent the “sludge” from settling at the bottom of the cup.

Greece – 1941-1944.

The Great Famine in Greece occurred during World War II, between 1941 and 1944, under German and Italian occupation. The most tragic period was the winter of 1941-1942, when living conditions were at their worst, and the lack of food led to mass deaths. The famine, which claimed the lives of around 300,000 people, resulted from a series of actions by the occupiers that deliberately exacerbated the crisis.

The most significant factor was the German occupation itself, which, after the invasion in 1941, brought devastating consequences to Greece. The Germans confiscated food supplies and other essential goods, directing them to their army. Strict control over agricultural production and trade caused chronic shortages in supplies for the civilian population. The occupiers not only exported food but also restricted local production, further deepening the crisis.

Additionally, the blockade imposed by Germany and Italy worsened the situation even more. Greece, reliant on food imports, found itself almost entirely cut off from foreign supplies. The blockade prevented the transportation of even basic goods, exacerbating the food shortage in the country and leading to widespread starvation.

After the war, Greece was economically devastated, and the civil war between 1946 and 1949 further deepened the destruction. This internal conflict weakened the country even more, which had a further negative impact on access to food and the overall situation of the population.

The Great Famine, directly caused by the actions of the occupiers and imposed restrictions, left deep scars in Greece’s history. These tragic years remain a symbol of suffering and the struggle for survival in the face of devastating occupation and war.