An older friend is trying to relive his past (which would have been the 1930-40’s) and keeps talking about old carnivals and fairs selling “beer seed”. They were tiny dark granule looking things that were mixed with water and maybe a little bit of sugar. The “seed” would apparently put on a little show by sinking and rising and splitting. This action would put a little “kick” into the water, and then you drank it. What is this stuff? Is it just hops? Can it still be bought? Is it some other herb or plant? Anybody remember doing this (raised in the 70-80’s, we did other things)? Thanks!!
My father-in-law gave me a little bag of “donut seeds.” There were detailed instructions for planting 4-6 feet deep. For glazed donuts, plant with 5 pounds of sugar. In three years, the donut tree will sprout. Stuff like that. In the bag were a couple dozen Cheerios.
Your father-in-law isn’t the only one who remembers beer seeds:
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/Melungeon/2000-04/0954738111
Apparantly beer seeds are a byproduct of Molasses manufacture:
http://www.henderson-lea.hc.k12tn.net/donahue/action2/agric-1.htm