Guide
Had enough of energy gels? Here are five alternatives
by Siri Schubert
One bag, one meal, pure joy
5.8.2024
Translation: Elicia Payne
Camping ready meals were always an absolute last resort for me. That was until I discovered Tactical Foodpack. On a camping trip, I lived on freeze-dried meals for a week. Now I can’t get enough of them.
When I was living in California, our friendship circle was known by the nickname «Gourmet Camper». We’d have blueberry pancakes baked over the fire for breakfast or grilled salmon with broccoli for dinner. It only occurred to me in the tent one night that salmon are a tasty treat for the bears that live in the area. Fortunately, the bears weren’t as impressed by our cooking skills as we were.
Since then, things have changed. Instead of fresh ingredients, more and more ready meals end up on my plate. Portioned meals are easier to transport over several days than salad, vegetables and bananas, especially when backpacking.
It’s also more comfortable. After a long day of hiking, I’m ravenous. And I definitely don’t feel like starting a fire to cook rice and veg. Of course you can cook outdoors, just not every time.
However, in terms of taste, most of the ready-made camping meals I’ve tried so far have been disappointing. They’re either too salty with strong notes of flavour enhancers or too bland with a consistency like poorly dissolved protein powder.
Tactical Foodpack meals are different – they taste really good. And that’s not just my first impression. On a camping trip, I spent a week eating almost exclusively Tactical Food (apart from fresh fruit and ice cream). And I still hadn’t had my fill. So I ordered more for my next camping trip.
Large selection
When I met the Tactical Foodpack reps at the ISPO Outdoor trade fair in Munich, they also gave me their upcoming releases Lentils Stroganov and the Mushroom Risotto. These meals are currently in the testing and development phase and will be available soon. Trying out new recipes and expanding the range of dishes is still on the agenda at Tactical Foodpack.
Preparation is simple – heat water and pour onto the dried food. First remove the small bag with the oxygen absorber. Stir, reseal and wait for about seven to ten minutes. Your meal is ready.
Thanks to the unfolding bottom, you can eat straight out the packaging and get your spoon in every nook and cranny. Plus, there’s no washing up afterwards. It doubles as a small waste bag because the packaging can be resealed, should you need to dispose of it in the household waste after your trip.
Is it tasty?
Now comes the answer to the most important question: how does it taste? In short: really good! The meals taste as if they’ve been freshly prepared. The aroma of the individual ingredients comes into its own and there’s no hint of flavour enhancer or too much salt. I particularly like the rice pudding with berries; it tastes like it’s made with fresh berries.
It’s not just me who thinks that either. I offered water sports enthusiasts, who had just returned from their morning workout, some rice pudding when I was sat at breakfast – they also enjoyed it.
Of all the meals I’ve tried, my favourites so far are the Mediterranean Breakfast Shakshuka, the Sweet Potato Curry, the soon-to-be-available Mushroom Risotto and the Rice Pudding with Berries. The spicy and mild ingredients in the Sweet Potato Curry are well balanced with coconut milk and lime. Delicious.
Why does this food taste fresher than that of other manufacturers?
Bagged food is bagged food, you might think. But it’s not that simple. Tactical Foodpack meals are freeze-dried, whereas most other camping food is dehydrated.
Meals are flash-frozen during the freeze-drying process. Water is then removed from them in a vacuum. This method allows the foods to better retain flavour and texture. You can also rehydrate them more quickly, with less energy. That’s why Tactical Foodpack meals only require warm to hot water (it doesn’t have to boil) and five to eight minutes infusion time until the food is ready.
In addition, freeze-dried meals have a longer shelf life due to their lower water content. At Tactical Foodpack, this also means that the Estonian manufacturer doesn’t use preservatives or other additives. This is a plus on a taste level, as the food doesn’t leave a trace of artificial flavours on your taste buds.
Suitable for the office or hotel...
It’s not only when I’m camping that I sometimes get hungry and want to eat something quickly. I’ve also enjoyed Tactical Foodpack dishes in the evenings at a hotel when I’ve arrived late and didn’t feel like going to a restaurant alone. The kettle in the room is all I’ve needed.
As it’s not just outdoor fans who appreciate Tactical Foodpack’s meals; the company will soon be launching ready meals for the office and for travelling under the label «Chef Urban». Again, you’ll only need hot water from a kettle for these. I was allowed to test them before the launch and I was impressed with the taste. Since you don’t burn as many calories in the office as you do on an intensive outdoor expedition, the Chef Urban portions are smaller.
... and can even be prepared without a camping stove
If, for whatever reason that isn’t possible, you can also prepare the food with cold water. To do this, stir cold water into the food and wait about 20 minutes. You’ll have a meal with the same nutritional value, just cold.
Even without water, you can munch it straight from the bag. It’s not ideal in terms of taste and texture, but since the food has already been cooked before freeze-drying, this is an option in an emergency.
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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