Steve's International Ration Thread

[steve1989]

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[steve1989]

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[steve1989]

The Lasagna wasn't overly impressive - it lacked in flavor and it really didn't have much in the way of meat in it. I still can imagine if I'd had it on one of my longer hikes that it wouldn't matter it would just be nice to have the hot meal.

The crackers are just like the ones in Lithuanian rations. They are like hardtack almost - and have those pleasant caraway seeds. I love these things.

I decided to save the FRH for my collection - No point in using those things unless you need to. I save most of mine.

I have pics of the coffee on my phone which is currently out of commission so those will have to wait. I can say this - the Polish Ration Coffee was some of the best I've had yet. Very similar consistency, flavor, and acidity to the Lithuanian Coffee. A nice dark roast, and very smooth.
Again - I'll get those coffee pics up soon!

Oh hey here's a pic I almost forgot of a tart candy from this ration's accessory packet it wasn't too bad! There need to be more than only 2 in there!

[Norton]

Great review Steve

(as always)

The Lasagna could use a US Cheese packet to add body. But From here it looks OK for a field meal.
The Condensed milk in a tube is a fantastic idea and I would like to see that product here in the states.
It would be very handy for both instant coffee and powdered hot Chocolate. also if you mixed it with water you could drink it straight of use it to make better sauces for certain entrees. The Instant Coffee was good.
I had Italian instant coffee before and thought it was strong. In a military ration that is what you want right?
The only thing surprising to me were the hardtack. That is a very interesting throwback item

[steve1989]

Thanks again, Norton! You always have such knowledgeable wisdom & feedback to my posts and I really do appreciate it - its actually one of my driving forces on getting more of this stuff out there!

That lasagna truly needs some US Jalapeno Cheese spread - dang I wish I'd thought of that, although I wasn't hiking with this one and was at home where I wasn't really burning calories, it still actually tasted pretty good albeit bland.

The Sweetened Condensed Milk is a real Gem - I've had one in a Australian rat, Russian, and now Polish. Such good stuff - and extremely useful and portable! Good point it is handy for coffee and tea but you could also add it to other foods if desired - wouldn't have been too bad if a bit was added to a breakfast item like oatmeal or something!

Italian instant coffee isn't too bad! It too is strong, this stuff was an even darker roast almost like it was instant espresso! Just what you want to keep ya from inadvertently catching Z's whilst in the field.

Those crackers aren't exactly like hardtack but I call em that anyways because let's face it - they are firmer than any other Ration cracker (at least to my knowledge) even more so than EPA Hartkeks! Total throwback item, Norton! The sorta thing you only wanna nibble on while hiking it out/ on patrol/ i.e. on the move!

They are the same ones as in Lithuanian rats and I gotta say - they are not half bad! I'd try them again to say the least.

Thank you again, as always your input is invaluable to helping me collaborate further knowledge and inspiration! Good stuff!

I'll keep you all posted on more International Ration Reviews for this thread - I still have the following to review: 2 french RCIR's, 2 Russian IRP's, a Chinese PLA Army rat DoP 2011 that I don't think anyone has really documented opening (not the new ones that are on YT vids this is a different one) a Slovenian rat (sent 1/3rd of it to a good friend because the last entree had soy in it which I'm allergic), and more I just can't remember exactly. Oh yeah and I have to post up the other EPA entree and also the rest of that UK rat - boy I have some work to do!

Will keep you all posted with more to come!

[steve1989]

Hello everyone,

I have 3 French RCIR reviews (1 with 1991 DoP the other 2 are newer 2012 DoP), 1/3rd of that uk 24 hr left to report, a Slovenian, 3 Russian IRPs with different DoP's, 3 IMPs (1 imp is a vintage white pack from 1990), and 1 entree left from my German EPA. All of these will be the next part of this thread along with anything else that i'm probably forgetting off the top of my head.

I want to share pics of this French RCIR from 24 years ago.
Will comment more later, another busy day just wanna share pics in this spare time.

Ps, this rcir is going in a very important collection. No parts will be opened or tested. For display and documentation purposes only.

[cavguy]

Sardines! I bet you could clear a house with those...

[gundog4314]

I just did a review on the Italian Module G "Blue". I know exactly what you mean about some good chow. I was really shocked how heavy it actually was. Shall be posting it to youtube in a week or so.

Cheers!

[steve1989]

Here is a neat variety of International Rations and components that I had gotten from Kats. Thank you so much, Kats for the fantastic opportunity to possess, learn about, eat (still quite a bit edible!), and enjoy. An absolute thrill for me and thank you again!


Ok, I'll start with the what I think is a Dutch Ration from 1991. I'm not even sure if these are all the components of the Ration, or if all the components are even original to it - I have absolutely no knowledge on it's origin or history - so I am sorry for the absolute minimal and elementary knowledge I possess on it.

Simply presenting photographs for now and will add verbose commentary within the day/evening.

[steve1989]

More pics - I will start adding my review commentary to all of it shortly.