Have you ever wondered what soldiers eat when they’re out in the field? They have special meals called MREs, or Meals Ready to Eat. Some of these meals are pretty tasty, while others… not so much. Let’s dive into the world of MREs and find out which ones are the best and worst!
Imagine eating a biscuit that feels like “compressed cardboard.” That’s what British soldiers used to eat! These biscuits, called “biscuit Browns,” were part of their rations until 2009. Some soldiers liked them because they could be eaten in different ways, like with soup or milk. But they had a downside: they could cause constipation, which wasn’t always fun.
In 2005, the U.S. Army introduced a meal that quickly got a bad reputation: the cheese and vegetable omelette. Soldiers called it “the vomit” because of its unappealing look and taste. Even adding Skittles or hot sauce didn’t help! Thankfully, it was discontinued in 2009.
During the Spanish-American War in 1898, soldiers were given canned beef that was so bad it caused food poisoning. This led to a big scandal and eventually to the creation of food safety laws to prevent such issues in the future.
World War One soldiers had a stew made of beef, potatoes, and other veggies. It was okay when hot, but cold, it turned into a gross blob with a strong smell. Not exactly appetizing!
During the American Civil War, soldiers loved their coffee. But one version, called “essence of coffee,” was made from coffee bean husks and was not popular. It often caused stomach problems.
In 2011, it was discovered that Russian soldiers were being fed dog food instead of beef. This caused a lot of controversy and concern about the quality of their rations.
Back in the 13th century, Mongolian warriors would drink horse blood and fermented horse milk to survive long journeys. While it sounds strange, fermented horse milk is still enjoyed by some people today!
Introduced in 1995, Chili Mac became a favorite among American soldiers. It includes noodles, taco-flavored beef, and tomato sauce. Plus, it often comes with tasty snacks like beef sticks and desserts.
Beef stew has been part of MRE menus since 1981. It’s a hearty meal with beef and vegetables, and it usually comes with a sweet treat for dessert.
This is a gourmet option for soldiers in the Norwegian armed forces. It includes a variety of delicious meals and snacks, perfect for cold climates.
French soldiers get to enjoy high-quality meals with their 24-hour combat rations. These MREs are known for their luxurious and tasty options.
This MRE is famous for its spicy buffalo sauce and comes with a variety of treats. However, it does have some side effects that soldiers need to watch out for.
The elite janissaries of the Ottoman Empire had some of the best food of their time. Their meals helped build strong bonds among the soldiers.
In conclusion, while some military rations are not very appealing, others are surprisingly delicious. These meals are crucial for keeping soldiers energized and ready for action!
Research the history of MREs and how they have evolved over time. Create a presentation to share with the class, highlighting the differences between the worst and best MREs mentioned in the article. Include interesting facts and visuals to make your presentation engaging.
Organize a taste test of different MREs, if available, or similar packaged foods. Compare the flavors and textures, and discuss which ones you think would be considered the best or worst. Write a short review of your experience and share it with the class.
Design your own MRE menu that you think would be both nutritious and tasty. Consider the nutritional needs of soldiers and the practicality of packaging. Present your MRE design to the class and explain why you chose each item.
Participate in a class debate about which MREs are the best and which are the worst. Use evidence from the article and additional research to support your arguments. Work in teams to prepare your points and present them to the class.
Choose one of the historical MREs mentioned in the article, such as the “Embalmed Beef” or “Horse Blood and Fermented Horse Milk.” Research the historical context and significance of this ration. Create a short report or poster to share your findings with the class.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any inappropriate language and making it more suitable for all audiences:
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[Music] Thank you.
The Worst MREs: Meals Rejected by Everyone
Humans have fought and died for countless causes on innumerable battlefields, but while many people share sympathy for the sacrifices made by the common soldier, they should probably feel worse about some of the unappetizing rations they were forced to consume.
**Biscuit Browns**
For many British soldiers, “biscuit Browns” is a term that can evoke fondness, disgust, and discomfort in equal measure. These fortified vitamin biscuits were a staple of British Army ration packs until February 2009. Many soldiers actually enjoyed these biscuits despite their unfortunate side effects. Described by one soldier as “six slices of compressed cardboard,” these wafers were known for their versatility and could be paired with pâté, dunked in instant soup, or even mashed up in milk with sugar to create a rudimentary breakfast. However, the biscuits were not universally favored, as they could cause constipation, which was sometimes useful on the battlefield but often led to complaints.
**Cheese and Vegetable Omelette**
The cheese and vegetable omelette was an infamous 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. Attempts to improve the meal by adding Skittles or a Pop-Tart did little to address its basic inedibility. Later, a miniature bottle of hot sauce was included, but it still didn’t help. Fortunately, the omelette was discontinued in 2009 after a short production run.
**Embalmed Beef**
In his memoir, veteran Carl Sandberg vividly describes the moment of shared revulsion 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 a food preservative that resulted in widespread food poisoning. Following public outcry, the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed to prevent such incidents from happening again.
**Makanochi’s Stew**
Makanochi’s Stew was a well-known ration supplied to World War One troops, consisting of beef, potatoes, beans, carrots, turnips, and onions. While somewhat edible when warmed, it became less appealing when eaten cold, resembling a congealed blob. The stew’s odor was notorious, leading to discomfort among the troops.
**Essence of Coffee**
During the American Civil War, coffee was incredibly important for Union troops. However, one of the worst alternatives was known as “essence of coffee,” made from evaporated husks of coffee beans mixed with condensed milk and sugar. This concoction was often disliked and could lead to digestive issues.
**Premium Quality Beef**
Among the rations provided to Russian soldiers invading Ukraine is canned meat, which has faced scrutiny. In 2011, a whistleblower revealed that Russian troops were fed dog food instead of beef at a military base, leading to significant controversy.
**Horse Blood and Fermented Horse Milk**
In the 13th century, Marco Polo described how Mongolian warriors would sustain themselves on horse blood during long journeys. They also enjoyed fermented horse milk, a beverage still consumed today.
**The Best MREs**
MREs, or meals ready to eat, often receive criticism from military personnel. However, some are considered culinary masterpieces.
**Chili Mac**
Introduced in 1995, Chili Mac became a favorite among American soldiers, featuring elbow noodles, taco-flavored beef, and rich tomato sauce. It often comes with additional treats like beef sticks and dessert items.
**Beef Stew**
Tracing its origins back to the first MRE menu in 1981, beef stew typically contains a hearty beef dish with various vegetables. It also includes a selection of desserts and is designed to be a satisfying meal.
**Norwegian Arctic Field Ration**
This NATO-approved field ration is a gourmet selection developed for the Norwegian armed forces, featuring a variety of meals and snacks.
**French Armed Forces 24-Hour Combat Ration**
This luxurious MRE is tailored to satisfy the appetites of French soldiers, offering high-quality meals and snacks.
**Buffalo Chicken**
This MRE was known for its flavorful buffalo sauce and various treats, although it had some notable side effects.
**Janissary Rations**
The elite janissaries of the Ottoman Empire had a diet superior to other soldiers of their time, emphasizing the importance of food in fostering camaraderie.
In conclusion, while many military rations have left much to be desired, there are some that stand out as enjoyable and even delicious.
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This version maintains the essence of the original content while ensuring it is appropriate for all audiences.
MRE – A Meal, Ready-to-Eat, used by soldiers as a complete meal in the field. – During training exercises, soldiers often rely on MREs to stay nourished.
Soldiers – Individuals who serve in an army and are trained to fight in wars. – The soldiers marched through the town, ready to defend their country.
Food – Substances consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. – In ancient times, people hunted and gathered food to survive.
Beef – The meat obtained from cattle, often used as a protein source in meals. – During World War II, beef was rationed to ensure enough supplies for the troops.
Coffee – A brewed drink made from roasted coffee beans, often used to boost energy. – Soldiers in the Civil War often drank coffee to stay alert during long nights.
Rations – A fixed amount of food provided during a shortage, especially in wartime. – Each soldier received daily rations to ensure they had enough energy for their duties.
War – A state of armed conflict between different countries or groups. – The war lasted for several years, affecting the lives of millions of people.
Meals – Portions of food eaten at specific times to provide nourishment. – Soldiers often had to eat their meals quickly during battle.
Taste – The sensation of flavor perceived in the mouth and throat on contact with a substance. – The taste of the MRE was surprisingly good, considering it was a field ration.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Learning about history helps us understand how past events shape our present and future.
