Generally I am going through different Training. However if some kit or such comes up I will make a NEWSFLASH and introduce such as todays post.
I am always on the lookout for Equipment and Rations
and I recently recieved a package from the German Company
Conserva. This company is also in the Swiss and until recently
you could order from UK. (I think that this has to do with
customs and prices since Brexit)
As you can see on the left it came really well packed
Not only stackable but also nicely
organised inside. At first I was supprised as I saw that the cans had ring pulls, which is a weak point in cans when looking at the Shelf life. However, I found that the material of the cans is much thicker than the material of cans
bought in the supermarket. In fact the canned products are
Guaranteed to have a minimum of 10 years shelflife which is a lot more
than in the supermarket !
The first thing I tried was the Rindergulasch my first supprise was that it was not only Gulasch but a complete meal with Noodles, a look at the tin said that too. (I guess reading is an advantage) So I heated it up and dug into it. As I said I did not expect a „full meal“ and it tasted really good. The only thing was that for me 400grams is not a big meal (for me!) however a) you could buy more
and b) hey if you need the meal then these are hard times/situation and we should be thankful.
Talking of heating there are various methods you could do this. I did the usual and threw into a pan and heated, in the field you could open the tin and heat the can on the burner. But there is an interesting tool in the catalogue which looks a bit like a slingshot without the sling,you clip it to the can you want to heat and cook at around 70°c for ca 15 minutes and done, there is a plus to this because in the Army we use to dent the can and throw it into the water when the dent came out it was ready, but the water could be kept because it was clean, (as in we
didnt open the can whilst cooking) we would then use the hot water for coffee or tea.
The next test was the Energy Bars with the pack came 12 these were in Peanut taste but there is also multivitimin.When you open the foil pouch there are two bars which are separately packed in plastic which could be overseen
if you are in a hurry to eat! Well I remember such bars in the military and they were called hard biscuits for a reason ! I was supprised that these
were quiet easy to bite and chew, and also they were reallytasty.
If you want a change you could do what we did in the Army and crush them in a bowel to a powder and add hot milk or water to make a kind of porrige, you could also add jamor such to add a bit of flavour (which in this case is not necassary!)
I found in the packet was also two cans of Bread. one was with Sunflower
seeds and the other was a bread with Oats.Both were nice and juicy
which I did not expect from canned bread
There was also a big can of Strawberry Jam to go on them, then I found
Pancakes, I would have use the Jam there but they were already covered
with a Nut Noguart creme!
There was also some things which were dried, one was tomatoe soup
which was a powder you put hot water in a pot and add the powder and
heat. I noticed it contained celery which I usually am not too keen of
but this did not stop this being a good soup. There was also a can of
Chicken cream pasta, again this was one where you have a powder
and add to hot water. All in all whatever I tried tasted good then I took
another look at the catalogue and was amazed at what they offered.
Not only full sized meals and packets for the week but all the basics you
need, there was spread from different sausage for bread, cheeses, cake and
biscuits, water and other drinks like coffee, sepperate stuff like sauces, Fried Patatoes and such to create your own meals. There are various mixes to be able
to make Vegitarian dishes such as vegi burgers in different flavourings which you mix with water and form then you fry them.
There is even international dishes ! Who said you had to survive and not enjoy yourrations. I tell you this place is for Gourmets ! They also do Tactical Rations (and I betthey taste just as good as the others)
That is not everything but I would suggest you look up their Website because there is a lot more.
All in all I found the products good, tasty and worth the money and of course a long shelf life. Check them out at: www.conserva.de
Enjoy