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Reviews > Food > Packaged Meals > Cache Lake Foods Egg Meals > Test Report by Brett Haydin
CACHE LAKE FOODS EGG MEALS
INITIAL REPORT - June 02, 2009
TESTER INFORMATION
I started backpacking in Wisconsin as a youth, being involved in the Boy Scouts programs. As a young adult, I worked at a summer camp leading backpacking, canoeing and mountain biking trips. I now generally take short weekend or day trips in rough, mountainous terrain, although I have extensive experience in the upper Midwest as well. I take one or two longer trips each year, where I typically carry about 40 lb (18 kg). I prefer to be prepared and comfortable, but I have taken lightweight trips as well. PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Cache Lakes Foods Scrambled Eggs with Sausage Flavored Bits MSRP: US$ 3.65 Listed Net Weight: 3.0 oz (88 g) Note: contents only Average Measured Weight: 3.4 oz (96 g) Note: contents and packaging Calories per serving: 265 Western Omelet MSRP: US$ 3.55 Listed Net Weight: 2.3 oz (64 g) Note: contents only Average Measured Weight: 2.45 oz (69 g) Note: contents and packaging Calories per serving: 150 Tex Mex Egg Scramble MSRP: US$ N/A Listed Net Weight: 3.4 oz (96 g) Note: contents only Average Measured Weight: 3.4 oz (96 g) Note: contents and packaging Calories per serving: 265 Scrambled Eggs MSRP: US$ 3.48 Listed Net Weight: 2.0 oz (57 g) Note: contents only Average Measured Weight: 2.3 oz (65 g) Note: contents and packaging Calories per serving: 148 Product Description The Cache Lake Foods Egg Meals are a powdered egg mix that come prepackaged in a two-serving size. I received four flavors: Scrambled Eggs with Sausage Flavored bits, Western Omelet, Tex Mex Scramble and (plain) Scrambled Eggs. Each package has a label that contains "Quick & Easy Cooking Directions," Nutrition Facts and an ingredients list. Also included below the ingredients is a category "Contains" that lists soy, wheat or dairy for the various products. This is great information for me to know since several of my friends have food allergies or intolerance to some of these foods. The ingredients are what I would normally expect. The base of the product is egg, "a homogenized and pasteurized blend of whole egg, non-fat milk, vegetable oil and salt." The additional ingredients for the flavored packages are listed as well. The Western Omelet has only two others (onion and peppers) but the Tex Mex and Sausage flavors have many more ingredients. The packages are 5.0 x 5.5 in (12.7 x 14.0 cm) and about 0.75 in (1.9 cm) thick. They are each heat sealed and have a plastic tab attached to the top so they can be hung on a peg. It is important to note that I took an average of the measured weights since most of the packages varied in weight. Most packages were within 0.1 oz (2.8 g) of each other; however the Scrambled Eggs with Sausage Flavored Bits varied by 0.4 oz (11.3 g) from heaviest to lightest. The website is easy to navigate, so finding MSRP was a simple process overall. However, I could not find the Tex Mex Egg Scramble. I found a similar product named Tex Mex Omelet, but the listed weight was different so I did not include the listed price. INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The Cache Lake Foods Egg meals are smartly packaged. I was a little concerned that they might be bulky or not have a lot of information on the individual packets. However these are both tightly packed and have all the information I need on trail, and then some. READING THE INSTRUCTIONS
The cooking instructions are very simple and straight forward. First I add the listed amount of water which varies from product to product. Then I'll mix it up, or as the packing states "stir briskly." Next I put 1 tbsp of oil or butter into a frying pan and heat until it sizzles. Turn down the heat and add the egg mixture. It should take about 1-2 minutes to cook. SUMMARY
I am looking forward to testing out the Egg Meals. I love scrambled eggs and omelets in general and I think this will be a welcome change from granola and powdered milk or oatmeal. I appreciate that the cook time is short and that the packaging and weight is compact and light. LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
Over the testing period I consumed all but two of the packages sent to me on one car camping trip and four backpacking trips (a fifth was canceled due to the early arrival of our son). The car camping trip lasted three days in Moab, Utah with my daughter and a friend as well as my sister and her two boys. We camped in national forest land in the arid desert climate roughly 15 mi (24 km) northwest of Moab. The terrain was mostly slick rock and sandy soils with warm temperatures between 60 and 80 F (16 and 27 C). There was quite a bit of rain, with some thunderstorms, all of which were limited to the late afternoons and evenings. COOKING IN THE FIELD
As you can see I had ample opportunity to enjoy the Cache Lake Foods Egg Meals. I found the cooking process to be very straight forward, even in the wee hours of the morning. My cook kit generally consists of a medium sized pot with a lid that also serves as a frying pan. I carry along a small assortment of kitchen tools based on the meals I am planning, but in this case I brought along my backpacking-sized whisk (read=small) and a small bottle of olive oil. I used an MSR Pocket Rocket with fuel canisters for all of my meals. TASTE
Of the various meals, I think I enjoyed the Western Omelet the most. My various hiking partners all enjoyed the tastes as well. One friend commented that it was the best way to wake up in the backcountry! One of the most enjoyable aspects to these meals was being able to have a nice warm meal in the morning. I generally eat granola cereal or hot oatmeal but these egg meals are an excellent change of pace and worth the extra effort in the morning. CONTINUED USE
I have two more packages of the plain eggs left which I am sure won't last long. I do plan to order some more for next summer as they were great morning meals. Read more reviews of Cache Lake Foods gear Read more gear reviews by Brett Haydin Reviews > Food > Packaged Meals > Cache Lake Foods Egg Meals > Test Report by Brett Haydin |