Throughout history, soldiers have bravely fought in many battles. While we often think about their courage and sacrifices, we sometimes forget about the not-so-great food they had to eat. Let’s explore some of the most disliked military meals from the past!
For British soldiers, “Biscuit Browns” brings back mixed memories. These were vitamin-packed biscuits that were part of the British Army’s food packs until 2009. Many soldiers actually liked these biscuits, but they had a downside: they could cause constipation. Even though they could be eaten with different foods, the digestive issues made them unpopular with some troops.
The U.S. Army introduced the Cheese and Vegetable Omelette in 2005, but it quickly got a bad reputation. Soldiers called it “the vomit” because of its unappetizing look and taste. Even though snacks like Skittles or M&Ms were added to make it better, the main dish was still not tasty. Thankfully, it was discontinued in 2009.
During the Spanish-American War in 1898, soldiers were given canned beef that was treated with formaldehyde, a chemical used to preserve things. This “embalmed beef” led to food poisoning and was a big scandal. It resulted in important changes to food safety rules.
Makanochi’s Stew was a common meal for World War One soldiers. It was somewhat okay when heated, but when eaten cold, it was unpleasant. The stew didn’t look or smell good, and soldiers often disliked it, especially during long marches.
During the American Civil War, coffee was very important for Union soldiers. When real coffee wasn’t available, they had to drink “essence of coffee,” made from leftover coffee husks. This drink was not popular and often caused stomach problems due to its poor quality.
Today, Russian soldiers receive canned meat in their rations. However, in 2011, a scandal revealed that some soldiers were given dog food instead of beef. This caused a lot of controversy, and the military tried to keep it quiet.
Marco Polo once wrote about Mongolian warriors drinking horse blood, but this might be an exaggeration. However, they did drink “airag,” a fermented horse milk. This drink is rich in protein and has health benefits, making it a unique choice for people on the move.
While some of these meals might sound unappetizing, it’s important to remember the tough situations in which they were eaten. Always be careful when trying new foods, as they might not agree with you!
Imagine you are a soldier in the field. Design your own Meal Ready-to-Eat (MRE) that would be both nutritious and tasty. Think about what ingredients you would include and how you would package them. Share your creation with the class and explain why you chose each item.
Research the history of food safety regulations and create a timeline highlighting key events and changes, such as those prompted by the “embalmed beef” scandal. Present your timeline to the class and discuss how these changes have impacted the food industry today.
Find a recipe for a historical military meal, such as “Biscuit Browns” or “Makanochi’s Stew,” and try making it at home. Document the process with photos or a video, and bring your creation to class for a taste test. Discuss how it compares to modern meals.
Participate in a class debate on whether the nutritional value of military meals should take precedence over taste. Prepare arguments for both sides and consider the challenges soldiers face when eating in the field. Reflect on how these factors influence meal design.
Research a traditional food from a different culture, such as “airag” from Mongolia. Prepare a short presentation about its history, nutritional benefits, and how it is consumed today. Share your findings with the class and discuss how cultural foods can influence military rations.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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**The Worst MREs: Meals Rejected by Everyone**
Humans have fought and sacrificed for countless causes on numerous battlefields. While many people share sympathy for the sacrifices made by soldiers, they should also consider the unfortunate rations they were often forced to consume.
**Biscuit Browns**
For many British soldiers, “Biscuit Browns” is a term that evokes mixed feelings. These fortified vitamin biscuits were a staple of British Army ration packs until February 2009. Surprisingly, many soldiers enjoyed these biscuits, despite their unfortunate side effect: constipation. While the biscuits were versatile and could be paired with various foods, their tendency to cause digestive issues made them less than popular among some troops.
**The Cheese and Vegetable Omelette**
The Cheese and Vegetable Omelette was a notorious U.S. Army meal ready-to-eat (MRE) introduced in 2005. Quickly dubbed “the vomit” by troops, this gelatinous slab not only looked unappealing but also tasted similarly. Despite attempts to improve the meal by including snacks like Skittles or M&Ms, the main course remained inedible. Thankfully, this meal was discontinued in 2009 after a brief production run.
**Embalmed Beef**
In his memoir, veteran Carl Sandberg described a moment of shared disgust when a tin of “red horse” was opened. This refers to one of the most controversial food scandals in U.S. history during the Spanish-American War of 1898. Troops were supplied with cans of rancid beef treated with formaldehyde, leading to widespread food poisoning. This scandal prompted significant reforms in food safety regulations.
**Makanochi’s Stew**
Makanochi’s Stew was a well-known ration supplied to World War One troops. While it was somewhat edible when warmed, its unpleasant side effects became apparent when eaten cold. Known for its unappealing appearance and odor, the stew was often met with distaste by soldiers, who had to endure its smell during marches.
**Essence of Coffee**
During the American Civil War, coffee was crucial for Union troops, who received around 36 pounds annually. However, when coffee was scarce, alternatives emerged, including “essence of coffee.” This concoction, made from evaporated coffee husks, was disliked by soldiers and often caused digestive issues due to the poor quality of ingredients.
**Canned Meat in Modern Rations**
Currently, Russian soldiers are provided with canned meat, which can include various dishes. However, in 2011, a whistleblower revealed that some troops were fed dog food instead of beef, leading to a scandal that the military attempted to cover up.
**Horse Blood and Fermented Horse Milk**
Marco Polo described a custom among Mongolian warriors who would drink the blood of their horses in a rush. While this may be exaggerated, fermented horse milk, known as “airag,” is still enjoyed today. This beverage is protein-dense and has various health benefits, making it a unique choice for those on the move.
**Conclusion**
While some of these rations may seem unappealing, it’s important to remember the context in which they were consumed. Always be cautious when trying unfamiliar foods, as some may lead to unpleasant side effects.
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This version maintains the essence of the original content while removing any inappropriate or overly graphic descriptions.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – In history class, we learned about the American Revolution and how it changed the world.
Soldiers – People who serve in an army and are trained to fight in wars. – During the Civil War, soldiers had to endure harsh conditions on the battlefield.
Food – Substances consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. – In ancient times, people relied on hunting and gathering to find food.
Health – The state of being free from illness or injury. – Maintaining good health was challenging for people during the medieval period due to limited medical knowledge.
Military – Relating to soldiers, arms, or war; the armed forces. – The military strategies used in World War II were crucial to the Allies’ victory.
Beef – The flesh of a cow, bull, or ox, used as food. – In the 1800s, beef became a staple food for many settlers in the American West.
Coffee – A drink made from the roasted and ground seeds of a tropical shrub. – Coffee was a popular drink among soldiers during the Civil War to help them stay alert.
Rations – A fixed allowance of provisions or food, especially for soldiers or sailors or for civilians during a shortage. – During World War II, families had to use ration coupons to buy food and other essentials.
Stew – A dish of meat and vegetables cooked slowly in liquid in a closed dish or pan. – Soldiers often ate stew because it was easy to make and could feed many people.
Constipation – A condition in which there is difficulty in emptying the bowels, usually associated with hardened feces. – Poor diet and lack of fresh food during long sea voyages often led to constipation among sailors.
