Hello Rationauts! Today I utilized a German ePA Typ II while camping and exploring here in Glacier National Park. I've had a few of the commercially-available ePA entrees, but this was my first full ration, and I was very impressed. Today I ventured to the NW part of the park to Kintla Lake, which is a long way down a rough, narrow road, but a great place to find peace and quiet in the middle of tourist season here, and a great quiet place to enjoy the ultimate "box lunch".
- Good Spot For Lunch
Earlier in the day I did an inventory of the contents. There was also a handy contents lists that was printed in German, English, and French.
- Contents
- Contents List
This Typ II came with the cevapcici and the goulash with potatoes. For lunch I opted to go with the goulash. I placed the entree in my ration heater while I drove to a good spot. I've found the ration heater works great for not only retort pouches, but also the tins from ePAs, IRPs, etc. It's getting a lot of use on this trip, and I've been very pleased with it.
- Heating in Ration Heater
There was a moderate amount of beef in a tomato-based sauce with ample potato pieces that were just right, not underdone or mushy. There were also some green peas. It was very good. I found it interesting that to me, it resembled a beef stew, and the "goulash" that I grew up eating was ground beef with some vegetable pieces and macaroni. I would certainly have it again.
- Goulash
I really enjoyed the grapefruit drink. It was light, not overly sweet, and had just the right amount of tartness to it. It wasn't a super-colorful or neon color like so many US beverages are, it was just very natural looking. It was the perfect beverage for a long day outdoors in the sun. It really tasted like grapefruit juice. I'm looking forward to the other packet tomorrow!
- Grapefruit Beverage
- Beverage Prepared
The canned bread is superb. It's moist, not crumbly, has lots of whole grains, and has a very complex taste to it. It is pre-sliced, and they give you a generous amount, especially given that they also give you keks as well. The spread was very good and went perfectly with the bread. This was my first experience with this German spread, and I'm looking forward to the other packet. It's hard to describe the taste. It wasn't salty like butter, nor was it like a cheese spread. If I had to pick something that I'm familiar with that it had some semblance with it would be cream cheese. Maybe that's what it is, I'm not sure, but I know I liked it!
- Bread
- Spread
- Spread on Bread
The goulash, two slices of bread with the spread, and the grapefruit drink were very filling and satisfied my lunch craving for a long time. The rest is being saved for dinner tonight back at the campsite.
I'm very pleased with the German ePA! Thank you to Housil for giving me the opportunity to try one!
