MRE's that were frozen for 15-20 years

[steve1989]

Hey guys, I just got 6 MRE's that were frozen for over 15 years. I was skeptical of the condition - and cracked open a 1993 Pork W/ Rice & BBQ Sauce. Uploading the video review on YT right now -

This video proves that MRE's frozen for a long time last indefinitely - the applesauce was perfect (not oxidized in the slightest), entree perfect, coffee, cocoa, crackers, jam, - - EVERYTHING was perfect!!

You know how vintage MRE's get, they really start to get strange over the years, and when they spoil it's not pretty. It's like Kman's classic 1982 Pork Patty review, *This Chocolate Covered Cookie is one cookie or two cookies? All I know is its an "I'm not going to eat this cookie"* hahaha! That line makes me chuckle every time. Well, remeber the apple sauce? Or anyone ever open an applesauce that is old? Or those old Natick Food Labs stock photos of Applesauce under various time/temperature conditions? Well, it oxidizes over time and not even that long of a period of time. I've had MRE's that were only like 8 or 9 years old with this issue.(Heck I eat it anyway)
Point is, the Tobasco Sauce, Applesauce, and drink mixes weren't dark or oxidized in the slightest bit. Last time I had a "Vintage" MRE of this freshness was maybe back when these forums were brand new in 2005!


Ok, here is the link to the video:

- I am sorry I didn't provide any more pictures other than what is below I was too wrapped up eating the thing!


One thing I asked the fellow who sold these to me - he said several months after thawing they start to break down pretty fast, so once thawed, eat 'em quick!

[gschultz9]

Watched it, and it was incredible! Like stepping into a time machine and going back to try out some vintage MREs when they were new! I didn't think it was possible to do a "real" review on something that old. It's usually more of a forensic exercise--looking at everything and examining how bad everything went, and to what extent they may or may not actually be edible. But this is amazing! You've actually managed to experience a 1993 MRE as though you were actually eating it in 1993 (or, to be fair, maybe it was more like eating it around 1995 or 96). But still, this is like a little bit of history being made here. Or certainly History being Eaten! Thanks Steve (and Jerry)!

[elandil]

you lucky dog....Getting to eat a "fresh" vintage MRE. That is totally awesome.

I'll definately be checking out that vid during lunch.

[parafireboy]

Wow, what a neat opportunity, thanks for sharing!

[noderaser]

Interesting, especially when the case says "Protect from freezing". I wonder if the ice crystal formation or liquid expansion weakens the packaging, which is why they go bad quickly after thawing.

[housil]

Interesting, especially when the case says "Protect from freezing".

Actually they say :

"Do not rough handle when frozen"

[gschultz9]

Yeah, I've always been under the impression that they can be damaged if "rough handled" while frozen, and that it's bad to subject them to numerous cycles of freezing and thawing--but that freezing in general can be a good thing. Looks like this 15 year "experiment" proves that theory! Very good to know. For anyone who hasn't seen it, last year I made a somewhat tongue-in-cheek video related to this topic. I froze an MRE and then subjected it to some rough handling before thawing it out and seeing how it was. Of course I did this very unscientific study over a period of a couple weeks, not the years that would be needed for a serious study on the subject. Thanks to Jerry we have some real good answers about very long-term storage of frozen MREs. I wonder if Natick themselves even ever attempted something this long term. I wonder if they might even be interested in seeing how these ancient MREs held up!

Here's my Rough Handling video if anyone cares to check it out:

[steve1989]

Hey guys, I gotta say this has been quite the experience trying out these frozen for what turned out to be almost exactly 20 years frozen MREs (Jerry apparently froze them spring of 1996). They have been fresh, and in such a remarkably exquisite condition that I have not experienced in vintage MRE's of this era since I was probably 14.

Got a new Omelet & Ham one up now, and currently working on my last one before I move to a new and important project. So far so darn good - only small issue so far has been Tuna w Noodle's actual noodles may have been a tad softer but honestly those were always kinda mushy (kinda like buttered noodles but mixed with tuna salad, mushrooms & peas) to begin with.

Here are some new pics - consider it part 2 of 3 to a little series here.

[steve1989]

Since this is almost a review thread by this point, it is perfectly cool if it needs to be moved to the MRE review threads section. If not, totally fine here either way!


Continued - that Tuna w Noodles was fantastic - Orange Pound Cake was perfect - just wish there was a massive freezer warehouse filled with these old MRE's - what a treat to have these preserved MRE's!

This Menu 4 Omelet w ham was amazing - Potatoes Au Gratin were perfect - another amazing preserved MRE!

Just like the good old days!

[Ruleryak]

It really is amazing how fresh these rations look for their age.