3. Hardtack: The Durable Bread
Hardtack was a trail essential—a tough, dry cracker that could last for months without spoiling. Cowboys frequently softened it in beans or gravy to make it palatable, much as soldiers did with their own rations. Though far from gourmet, hardtack’s durability made it a reliable source of energy on the move, mirroring its use in military campaigns of the same era.
