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Nez Perce Quawmash Cakes

By: Phil Scriver, LC200 Historian

While the Expedition was in Idaho waiting for the snow in the Rockies to melt, Lewis recorded how the Nez Perce collected and prepared the "quawmash" (camas) roots. Quawmash bread was a staple part of the diet for most Indians who lived west of the continental divide. The Expedition also ate considerable amount of it while in that area. Private Collins made beer from some of the quawmash root bread they had that had been wet and spoiled.

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