Manufacturer: Adventure Foods

Year of Manufacture: 2005

URL: http://www.adventurefoods.com

English Pea & Corn Salad

 

Serving Size: 2 servings 9.7 oz (275g) each

Listed Package Weight: 3.3 oz (94g)

Actual Package Weight: 3.75 oz(106g)

Calories per serving: not available

MSRP: $4.95

 

Whitefish and Crab Salad

 

Serving Size: 2 servings 9 oz (255g) each

Listed Package Weight: 5.3 oz (150g)

Actual Weight: 5.6 oz (159g)

Calories per serving: 303

MSRP: $8.45

Tofu (eggless) Salad

Serving Size: 2 servings 5.1 oz (145g) each

Listed Package Weight: 6.24 oz (177g)

Actual Weight: 6.75 oz (191g)

Calories per serving: 439

MSRP: $7.95

 

Roast Beef Spread

Serving Size: 2 servings 4.5 oz (128g) each

Listed Package Weight: 4 oz (113g)

Actual Weight: 4.75 oz (135g)

Calories per serving: Not available

MSRP: $8.49

Rice Waldorf (Fruit and Nut Salad)

Serving Size: 2 servings 7.7 oz (218g) each

Listed Package Weight: 8.6 oz (244g)

Actual Weight: 7.7 oz (218g)

Calories per serving: 427

MSRP: $6.95

 

Feta, Walnuts & Chives Luncheon Spread

 

Serving Size: 2 servings 4.2 oz (119g) each

Listed Package Weight: 5.3 oz (150g)

Actual Weight: 5.3 oz (150g)

Calories per serving: 489

MSRP: $8.79

 

Most of my backpacking trips were taken either in the state of Michigan, USA  or in Ontario, Canada. The terrain varies from flat and sandy to hilly and rocky. Adventure Foods cold prep items were used on many of my trips, both in the warmer seasons as well as during the frigid winter season. Elevations ranged from 600 ft (183m) to 2000 ft (610m) and temperatures were from a low of -20F (-29C) last January to a high of 93F(34C) this July.

 

I backpack a lot, most years I spend a minimum of fifty nights in the woods. One of the biggest concerns for me is trying to vary my food. I quickly tire of the same backpacking foods, so I am always on a quest to explore new options, that is how I discovered Adventure Foods a few years ago.

 

 My initial purchase of Adventure Foods consisted of many of their hot meals. They were made by simply adding boiling water to the dried ingredients, waiting a few minutes and voila'. I was impressed with the quality and taste so I have ordered some of their foods periodically. They fill in the gap between other manufacturers' backpacking foods and my own simple concoctions with grocery store items.

 

Last summer I made my nearly annual trip to Isle Royale National Park. I often go by ferry boat to the island but some times I travel by sea plane. This was the first time since 911, that I was going to travel by sea plane. The Esbit fuel tabs that I used for cooking were now banned from air travel. My other stove of choice is an alcohol burner but denatured alcohol was banned as well from freight. The only fuel that is available for purchase upon arrival at the island is white gas. It was one of those "what to do" moments.

 

I began thinking that I didn't really need to take a stove at all, if I could come up with some cold products that would fill my appetite. It was summer, so hot foods are not always appealing any way and I am not a coffee drinker so that wasn't a concern. It was going to be a thirteen day trip so an assortment of foods was necessary. I checked the Adventure Foods website and was pleased to find a plethora of cold prep items. I quickly ordered and hoped for the best  -  I was successful.

 

Overall, I am impressed with the versatility of the Adventure Foods cold prep items. All of them can be stuffed in to a pita or tortilla to make a more complete meal. I have also used crackers as an accompaniment to the salads and spreads.  I find them to be filling and very tasty. My personal favorite is the Whitefish and Crab salad, it is awesome. All of the cold prep items are also versatile. Although the manufacturer doesn't mention the option of adding boiling water, I have done it during the winter so that I still could enjoy some of the salads. I have also served the salads spread on crackers as an appetizer on winter sledge trips. The Feta Walnut Chive Spread makes a great topping for instant dried potatoes. The Roast Beef spread is a wonderful filler for sandwiches or great just by itself.

 

Prep time is minimal providing that I have already treated your water. I use chemical treatment for my water so I usually have enough treated water on hand before I start preparing a meal. After adding a small amount (varies with the product), the wait time is about five minutes on average. Because the items are packaged in servings for 2 or more, I divide the ingredients in to separate Ziplocs in preparation for a trip. The same Ziploc is used to prepare and serve the item. No clean-up is involved and no heating fuel wasted  - what could be simpler?

 

These items are pricey if a person is used to buying dried foods from the grocery store. They also tend to be more expensive than entrees associated with other major freeze dried/dehydrated food manufactures such as Mountain House or Alpine Air. I feel that is worth the expense as the convenience and taste outweighs the price.

 

Adventure Foods also offers a large variety of bulk foods in addition to entrees, cold prep items, desserts, etc. There are no preservatives added to any of their offerings, however some items may have had preservatives already in them such as some types of meat. Some of the nutritional information is available on their website but is not included on the packaging.  The package does include a list of ingredients, preparation directions, net weight and serving size.

 

Pros:

• Very light-weight package per 2 servings
• Nice minimalist packaging
• Easy prep of products
• Tasty
• Variety of items to choose from
• Could use with hot water to make a hot entree

Cons: 

• May not be enough calories for some people
• Should add less water than advised or items will be soupy
• Individual size packaging is not available
• Expensive compared to a lot of dehydrated or freeze-dried foods in the market
• Calories and other nutritional information is not included on the label but can be found on their website (for most products)