In France there are no soft aluminum trays like the German ones but every grocery or supermarket sells RCIR-like entrees.
The soft plastic pouches are only available since one or two years and it looks like they're used only for cooked rice and other vegetables (cooked wheat, olives...).
Maybe the use of aluminum cans in Europe has something to see with the use of recycled metals.
Before the 80's the beer cans were very rare in France (imported beers only), it was sold in glass bottles almost everywhere in the country.
No canned bread here.
Military packing <---> Civil packing
One reason is, that not everybody is eating these "ready-to-eat-meals" for dinner at home.MCIera wrote:I'm sorry if I didn't make myself clear. I was wondering why they used the aluminum trays for the ones sold in the stores. In the U.S. they use plastic because it is more marketable to the consumer as they need only take the tray out, lift the film a little, and throw it into the microwave. It would seem that the German consumer who purchases one of these ready meals would have to empty the contents on to a plate and then heat it up in the microwave and then consume it with some degree of civility
One purpose is, that people buy them to eat them at work. Especially craftsman, bricklayer, construction worker, carpenter, road construction worker or other people working on a construction side need a solid container for their lunch. They neither have a microwave oven, nor a plate, nor cutlery. Just a fireplace or a woodburning stove in their site hut. So how do you get a warm lunch real quick (and inexpansive)? Buy a (EPa similar) meal at the supermarket. Bringt it at work and put it on the oven.
The containers of the meals must be this solid, as the handling of peoples stuff is raw/harsh at a construction place.
"Ordenary" customers know that the civilain containers looks similar like the military ones. They don´t concern to eat military food. They know that civilian manufacturer also produce for the military as well.
But there is pet food (Sheba, Cesars), that comes in similar containers too...
Nice thought ...Stef wrote:In France there are no soft aluminum trays like the German ones but every grocery or supermarket sells RCIR-like entrees.
The soft plastic pouches are only available since one or two years and it looks like they're used only for cooked rice and other vegetables (cooked wheat, olives...).
Maybe the use of aluminum cans in Europe has something to see with the use of recycled metals.
Before the 80's the beer cans were very rare in France (imported beers only), it was sold in glass bottles almost everywhere in the country.
No canned bread here.
In Germany, it is almost "impossible" to buy a beverage (or beer) in a can. They intend a desposite 2003 on every can to make sure, that people don´t put the can´s after use in the trash but bring it back for recycling.
Glas bottles are receycled since 1974 in Germany. There are "glas recycling containers" at almost every street corner...
A baguett in a can?! How do you want open it...
One other point about the plastic usage in the U.S. is probably because it has been ingrained in most Americans to never put anything metal into a microwave.
Insofar as crafts workers, I guess we have enough convenience stores that sell those ready meal items and have the microwaves in the stores (much like what you have at many gas stations,) that heating at a remote site is not a necessity. And I think the plastic is probably a bit sturdier (resilient?) for rough handling than the foil trays that I've seen.
With regards to the pet foods, I'm familiar with those containers, we have those brands over here as well.
Insofar as crafts workers, I guess we have enough convenience stores that sell those ready meal items and have the microwaves in the stores (much like what you have at many gas stations,) that heating at a remote site is not a necessity. And I think the plastic is probably a bit sturdier (resilient?) for rough handling than the foil trays that I've seen.
With regards to the pet foods, I'm familiar with those containers, we have those brands over here as well.
housil wrote:One reason is, that not everybody is eating these "ready-to-eat-meals" for dinner at home.
One purpose is, that people buy them to eat them at work. Especially craftsman, bricklayer, construction worker, carpenter, road construction worker or other people working on a construction side need a solid container for their lunch. They neither have a microwave oven, nor a plate, nor cutlery. Just a fireplace or a woodburning stove in their site hut. So how do you get a warm lunch real quick (and inexpansive)? Buy a (EPa similar) meal at the supermarket. Bringt it at work and put it on the oven.
The containers of the meals must be this solid, as the handling of peoples stuff is raw/harsh at a construction place.
"Ordenary" customers know that the civilain containers looks similar like the military ones. They don´t concern to eat military food. They know that civilian manufacturer also produce for the military as well.
But there is pet food (Sheba, Cesars), that comes in similar containers too...
I had no problem finding soft drinks or beer in cans in Germany the last time that I was there. Seems that they're commonly sold in stores, but it would seem that most people seem to prefer the glass bottles though. And personally, I'd have to agree with them. Even Coke tastes better out of glass bottle than a can, not even taking into account more delicate beverages like good beer. And as you mention, the Germans are far more diligent about recycling than Americans. We pay a deposit on cans, glass and plastic bottles, and people still just toss them into the garbage after consumption. BTW are there still 2-3 cigarette machines on every block?
housil wrote:In Germany, it is almost "impossible" to buy a beverage (or beer) in a can. They intend a desposite 2003 on every can to make sure, that people don´t put the can´s after use in the trash but bring it back for recycling.
Glas bottles are receycled since 1974 in Germany. There are "glas recycling containers" at almost every street corner...
A baguett in a can?! How do you want open it...
...or more.MCIera wrote:BTW are there still 2-3 cigarette machines on every block?
But since this year, you need a plastic card that identify´s you or better your age. You have to be 16 or older to buy cigarettes, even at a cigarette machine (or need the card of somebody that is older...
) there is a slot where you put the card in to buy cigarettes.
They're made in germany, and sold all over Europe. Many of the militaries use them.I got some from 'Norge", in the Dutch Artic rations.MCIera wrote:What are these travellunch pouches? Are they freeze dried foods or are they retort? What kind of stores are they generally sold in and approximately how much do they cost?
German_EPA wrote: we also have the "travellunch" menus which are packed in bags....
Very, Very nice ! They are freeze dried, and actually taste quite good !!!
Look here:
viewtopic.php?t=755
Avid practitioner of the martial art: KLIK-PAO
Hi there,
They are freeze dried indeed.
You can check their website: www.travellunch.de
In the Netherlands the main meals are sold for 5-6 euro's each.
Kind regards,
Nawt.
They are freeze dried indeed.
You can check their website: www.travellunch.de
In the Netherlands the main meals are sold for 5-6 euro's each.
Kind regards,
Nawt.