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Unloved by generations of soldiers, the MRE finds a fan base

nytimes.com

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Re: Unloved by generations of soldiers, the MRE finds a fan base

#51

Post by ethbr0 »

ravenstine wrote: post #4

That pound cake that comes with many MREs is one of the best things I've ever tasted. It actually has a kind of fakey/chemically flavor to it (if I remember it's usually apple flavor?), but for some reason it's still good, and the moistness and texture of the cake is exceptional. I wish they just sold those pound cakes by themselves.

Out of a recent batch, I remember the lemon-poppyseed pound cake being amazing (as in, wouldn't have complained if I'd gotten it in a diner), a cookie that was rather good (actually moist!), and some really good cranberry mix.

Also, the First Strike apple cinnamon energy bar was just as good as top-tier civilian energy bars.

Entrees were a bit rougher.

But as my dad paraphrased re: Boy Scouts, 'Hunger is a helluva spice. Because I know none of us could cook worth a damn, but I don't remember a single bad meal.'

Re: Unloved by generations of soldiers, the MRE finds a fan base

#52

Post by ethbr0 »

Animats wrote: post #7

Wornick, which makes most of the real MREs, used to sell a civilian version. Their brand was "MIL-SPEC", and then "Eversafe". Now they don't seem to want to sell those at retail, probably because they normally ship by the shipping container load and the eBay resellers can't handle that much product. Everybody seems to be out of stock on civilian MREs right now, except for resellers who are doubling the price. (Each m…

> expired

Was curious about this, as it's something of an open question as to the actual safe "absolutely-by" date (vs the standard date).

Turns out, they've been tested to degrade at a rate proportional to temperature.

The listed date (3 years?) is essentially 3 years at max temperature. Decrease the temperature (i.e. outside anywhere but the desert), and it stretches significantly. Actually store it somewhere cool (e.g. root cellar) and it goes even longer.

Re: Unloved by generations of soldiers, the MRE finds a fan base

#54

Post by bane »

Most of the MREs I've tried are surprisingly good. On par with most of the regular old microwave meals of about 15 years ago (newer microwave meals have gotten significantly better in my experience).

There's a few flops of course, but considering there's no chemical preservatives and they come with a heater, they're a goddamn miracle of modern technology.

Re: Unloved by generations of soldiers, the MRE finds a fan base

#56

Post by ArtDev »

selectodude wrote: post #47
gruez wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>I begrudgingly eat US MREs once every 3-5 years for about a week or so as I replenish my one case of MREs for earthquake supplies. What's the TCO on using MREs for disaster prep? I did some light research a while ago and figured it was pretty pricey compared to buying traditional nonperishables (eg. instant noodles, canned vegetables, dried beans). Plus, those foods are easier to work into a conventional meal than M…

MREs self-heat. Hot food is good for morale and in a disaster situation, instant noodles might be "noodle crackers".

A pocket rocket and canister of isobutane is cheap and will never expire though. Problem solved.

Re: Unloved by generations of soldiers, the MRE finds a fan base

#57

Post by CoolestBeans »

sydthrowaway wrote: post #46

Why doesn’t the US military use Soylent now?

Morale. Not too many things upset people more than messing with the food. Upset soldiers means uncooperative, unmotivated soldiers. Yeah, MREs aren't great but at least they're warm and taste like something recognizable.

For example, NASA puts a lot of effort into making the astronauts' food things they actually want to eat. Another example, Ford tried to establish a city in Brazil for rubber plantation workers called Fordlandia. The breaking point that led them to revolt wasn't the horrendous working conditions, it was the food (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fordl%C3%A2ndia#Revolts). Even old school emergency ration packs had candy in it.

You don't mess with the food.

Re: Unloved by generations of soldiers, the MRE finds a fan base

#59

Post by ethbr0 »

wildzzz wrote: post #48
trhway wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> it’s watered back industrial ethanol usually that is what you hope for. Sometimes the seller would claim that it is off-book ethanol supply from the liquor or medical industry - no way to verify of course. On the very bottom of the range is pretty "dirty" ethanol and even occasionally methanol (couple months ago there were 2 clusters of 80+ such poisonings in the regional cities in Russia https://en.wikipedia.org/w…

Where I went to college, moonshine is a big thing and is relatively easy to get once you know some locals. I've tried it multiple times and it was always absolutely vile. It would usually come in a reused plastic milk jug. There was nothing you could mix it with and not taste the horrible flavor. I had a friend who made his own stovetop still and despite it probably being slightly poisoned with methanol, it actually…

Depends on who makes it and their skill.

I've tried stuff from TN that's at or better than mid-tier commercially sold vodka.

I also have an undiluted jar from a friend as a birthday present at 180 proof. Surprisingly, it's entirely drinkable, with essentially no aftertaste.

Re: Unloved by generations of soldiers, the MRE finds a fan base

#60

Post by Ekaros »

dikei wrote: post #39
dmoy wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've had Chinese MREs, once. It was the worst food I've ever tasted. Someone in the family had a can from former prc military service. I don't know what it is, but maybe the Chinese army deploys so infrequently (almost never?) that they place zero priority on their MREs. I begrudgingly eat US MREs once every 3-5 years for about a week or so as I replenish my one case of MREs for earthquake supplies. They're actually…

>> I don't know what it is, but maybe the Chinese army deploys so infrequently (almost never?) that they place zero priority on their MREs. I don't know about the Chinese, but my poor army doesn't have an official MRE. On the rare occasion that they are deployed to where they can't setup kitchens, like disaster zones: storm, flooding, etc.., the soldiers typically make do with instant noodle or ration bar until a fie…

Same, what they give out to scouts and tiny units is essentially trekking food now. It used to be things like add water pasta or canned soup. Slight step down in my mind.
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