Hardtack
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Hardtack is a type of dense biscuit or cracker made from flour, water, and sometimes salt. Hardtack is inexpensive and long-lasting. It is used for sustenance in the absence of perishable foods, commonly during long sea voyages, land migrations, and military campaigns. Along with salt pork and corned beef, hardtack was a standard ration for many militaries and navies from the 17th to the early 20th centuries.
A preserved hardtack from the U.S. Civil War, Pensacola Museum of History, Florida
Reproduction American Civil War-era army (left) and navy (right) hardtack. Note the shape, as army hardtack was shipped in boxes and shipboard navy provisions were shipped in barrels.
Hexagonal hardtack produced by the Royal Navy for the British Arctic Expedition
Japanese hardtack "Kanpan" produced for use by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
Biscuit
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A biscuit, in most English speaking countries, is a flour-based baked and shaped food item. Biscuits are typically hard, flat, and unleavened. They are usually sweet and may be made with sugar, chocolate, icing, jam, ginger, or cinnamon. They can also be savoury, similar to crackers. Types of biscuit include sandwich biscuits, digestive biscuits, ginger biscuits, shortbread biscuits, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate-coated marshmallow treats, Anzac biscuits, biscotti, and speculaas.
An Oreo, a brand of sweet sandwich biscuit, and two crackers, a type of savoury biscuit
Biscuits of Ghana
Beaten biscuits (southern US)
Wheat and cream biscuits (northern England)