MRE MEAL TODAY 1-16-05

[fratomdev]

Hello All, My first post. I just had the Breaded Chicken Breast and Shells in Tomato Sauce entree. Definitely better than anything canned from Chef-Boy-Ar-Dee, but not as good as my wife's cooking. Overall, not bad. I did put some hot sauce on it too. This was my first MRE.

I bought a box of 24 entrees from Saratoga Trading Co. About $2 per, manufacture date was late 04. Good service. There were 3 different kinds, so I will try another tomorrow. They are produced for the Wornick Company. Is this a real MRE?

I also ordered a box of 2006, real MRE, on EBay, but have not got them yet. I'll compare them then.

What's the difference in taste between a real MRE and the Sopacko and Mil-Std?

I appreciate any education on the subject.

Great site.

Thanks, Frank

[thechip1]

I don't know if it counts since technically it wasn't a full meal, but I did have the crackers and cheese spread for a snack yesterday, plus I mixed up a dairyshake too (vanilla.) I'm really trying hard to like the dairyshakes, but so far, it just isn't working out. I actually tried the first one the way the package says, mixing the water in the pouch. What a mess that is. All I got was a bunch of lumpy dough. But even in a cup, it is a I can do to get the stuff to disolve. And it never really does. But man, do I ever love those MRE crackers. Those things rock. The plain cheese is good, but not as good as the cheese with bacon or peanut butter, for that matter.

[Hell Devil]

What's the difference in taste between a real MRE and the Sopacko and Mil-Std?

Real MREs have much more variety of individual components. They also come in the tan pouches and you get twelve different entrees per case. Sopacko MREs come in clear bags and contain the same items made by the same companies, but with a lot less variety. You get six different entrees in each case (two of each entree) with a side dish (I've gotten rice, minestrone soup, applesauce, fruit, western beans, etc.). The downside to Sopacko MREs is that you get the same flavor dessert, spread, crackers (or snack bread) and beverage base in every meal, which is kind of monotonous. There's slightly less food and condiments than in real MREs. The Accessory Packets all contain just coffee, sugar, creamer, salt, pepper, napkin (not toilet paper), hand cleaner, and red pepper. They also don't come with flameless ration heaters. The trade off is that you know they are fresh (many sellers tell you what the production dates are), where they come from, how they are distributed, and you don't have to worry that they've been stored in someone's 90 degree garage or warehouse for six months before being sold on E-bay.

[kman]

Hi fratomdev - welcome to the forums! For those entrees you bought that were from Wornick - did they come in a white box or a tan box? The white boxed extrees are usually the same as the military MRE entrees but they're what Wornick uses in their Mil-Spec civilian MREs. The tan boxed entrees are exactly what's in the MREs.

I'd definitely recommend getting real MREs over the civilian versions. The civilian versions are ok but the variety and extra food in the real MREs make them worth the (small) chance you're taking on ebay.

thechip1 - I know what you mean about that dairyshake mix. How do they expect you to make it in that pouch? I put mine in a plastic cup, seal the top, and shake the heck out of it - and it's still not always mixed completely.

[kman]

One more thing fratomdev - you asked about the actual taste difference between the real MREs and the Sopakco civilian MREs...

There's isn't really any difference in the taste - they use the exact same entrees, sides, desserts, etc. in both types of MREs. The difference is mainly like we said before - in the variety and quantity.

[fratomdev]

Hello, Thanks for the information. The entrees are in Brown boxes with brown bags, so from what I read I guess they are real MREs. I am looking forward to getting the case of meals and trying them. I'll let you know how I like the others.

Thanks for the education and the forum,

Frank

[Hell Devil]

I'd definitely recommend getting real MREs over the civilian versions. The civilian versions are ok but the variety and extra food in the real MREs make them worth the (small) chance you're taking on ebay.

Now, Kman, I've taken a step of faith based on your feedback and bought a case of 2004 MREs off of ebay. I wouldn't have considered it before I discovered your website. I'll let you know how they turn out.

I love the dairy shakes so you can all send your discarded ones my way. I read the dairy shake characteristics from the Support Office link below, and it looks like they anticipate lumps in the shake. I always end up with small lumps but I don't mind. You have to mix them in a shaker. Whovever came up with the notion of mixing it in the bag should get a pay cut.
http://www.dscp.dla.mil/subs/subsbo/qapubs/monograp.htm

[kman]

I don't think you'll be disappointed by the real MREs - you'll have to let us all know what you think once you get them.

As for those shakes, I think what they need to do is make that pouch resealable - like a ziplock bag. Then you could really shake the heck out of it and get it all mixed up. I heard they were considering something like that for the beverage base mixes. Apparently, they don't recommend mixing the beverage base powders in your canteen because it's hard to clean the inside of a canteen out and if you leave that sugary mix in there long enough, it'll start growing unwanted bacteria, etc.

[DangerousDave]

I always had a few very small lumps, less than the size of a BB. I think you just need to follow the instructions and use your strong arm with a little "Elbow Grease". I ad about 1 more ounce of water on mine, I never had any trouble with folding the opening over about 4 times, very small tight folds, then stop a couple times in the shaking process and squeeze the lower corners of the bag, to get any powder up into the system. I don't like the Vanilla ones, but the Choc. and Strawberry disappear in short order.

[fratomdev]

Well, I had the Beef Steak With Mushroom Gravy - noy bad. My daughter shared it with me and she thought it was good. 54g of protein - yowsa! This is kind of fun and fascinating. To think something will have a shelf life of near 10 years and still taste good. What an investment.

Thanks again for letting me share.