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Hi everyone, today I was feeling a little lazy and didn't want to work too hard at making lunch, so I decided to whittle down the "odds and ends" pile of miscellaneous MRE components. Lunch today consisted of a 2006 production "Spaghetti with Meat Sauce", date code 0696. For a side I located a 1996 production cracker that I had, date code 6228. I generally prefer the cheese spread over the peanut butter, but I need to get rid of some of my peanut butter from the stash, so I went with PB today, a 2010 production.
I boiled the entree in the bag for about 10 minutes, and while that was cooking, I opened the crackers. They were crisp and fresh, just like they were when they were made 19 years ago. I'm kind of surprised that the luck I've had with the crackers being good, even 10-27 years old. I know that some have mixed results once you hit 7-10 years old, and they can get the stale "bleach" odor and taste. These were perfectly fine I'm happy to say. I do miss the salted crackers that they made in the 1980's though, I think they tasted better than the 1990s - current production ones.

The chunky peanut butter was soft and not separated much. Lots of good peanut chunks in it.
The spaghetti was good. There was a good amount of meat, and the pasta had good texture, not soggy. I think this is one of the menus that hasn't changed much in taste in the past 25 years in my opinion. It tastes just like I remember it.
Have a great weekend everyone!

You are indeed fortunate in your crackers. Like many, I also have a box of odds and ends that I really should use more often. Thanks for the reminder.

Oh, and that's a fine review.

Great review and nice clear pictures..
The peanut butter looks fresh. I have found it does not look that good after ten years the oil separates from the solids.
The spaghetti you opened does look just about the same as MCI spaghetti in a can. Did you think it tasted like Civilian Chef Boyardee canned spaghetti?

I would like to know how "new" crackers taste and looks like

The spaghetti is my favorite ration dish since I ate it for the first time back in 1982 from a MCI can.

My 2013 and 2014 dated crackers taste just fine, housil! That's as new as I have right now.

Norton wrote:...after ten years the oil separates from the solids...

Just knead the package to re-mix. IMP peanut butter even tells you to right on the package. Works a charm!

Apocalypse wrote:

Norton wrote:...after ten years the oil separates from the solids...

IMP peanut butter even tells you to right on the package.

MRE pb and cheese does it too.

One of these days I need to make a video of my cheese and peanut butter kneading method. Maybe it'll make sense in a description, but who knows. Basically, the bottom of the packet goes in between both hands, which are pressed flat against each other. Slide your hands in opposite directions from each other, rolling the package as you do so. Imagine you're starting a fire with the stick method (without a bow of course), and allow the package to move up and down as it's rolling between your hands.

Five seconds of this and your package will be entirely emulsified.

It also certainly doesn't hurt to toss your peanut butter or cheese pouch into the chest pocket of your shirt while you get the rest of the meal in order. They don't need as much kneading...