The message
from Kay contains these words:

According to Usher 'Plants used by man', the 'dried fruits are sometimes
used in Ireland as a coffee substitute' - that shows some degree of
desperation!!


I have tried this. It took ages to gather sufficient sticky balls to
roast for coffee. The end result was a coffee substitute that tasted
vaguely of cheap coffee. I reckon it wouldf do in times of extreme
shortage.

--
Cheers,
Compo