Camping Food FAQs

Camping Food FAQs
Camping Food FAQs

Camping Food FAQs

Camping Food FAQs

Home : FAQs
Frequently Asked Camping Food Questions

Q: How do the leading camping food brands compare?

Q: What's the difference between freeze-dried and dehydrated food?

Q: What are the best backpacking food products?  Which should I choose?

Q: What's the shelf life of the entrees?

Q: What's the fresh to dry weight ratios of dried fruits and vegetables?

 

A: How do the leading camping food brands compare?

Each of the manufacturers we represent provide food ideal for your weekend backpacking trip or much longer expeditions.  The table below highlights some differences that may lead you to one brand over another.  Our customers often choose products from multiple manufacturers when outfitting their trips.

BRAND OVERVIEW DRYING METHOD PACKAGING SERVING SIZE SHELF LIFE
           

AlpineAire

Large selection of quick-prep entrees plus bulk ingredient pouches Blend of freeze-dried/ dehydrated ingredients Laminated polyester, foil and polyethylene stand-up pouch with resealable zip closure/ oxygen absorber 10 oz., 250-350 calories 3 - 7 years
           

Backpacker's Pantry

Selection of ethnic cuisine alongside classic entrees.  "Performance products" with added natural vitamin supplement. Blend of freeze-dried/ dehydrated ingredients Laminated polyester, foil and polyethylene stand-up pouch with resealable zip closure/ oxygen absorber 12-14 oz., 300-500 calories 3 - 7 years
           

Camp 'n Trail

Rice and bean side-dishes Blend of freeze-dried/ dehydrated ingredients Laminated polyester and paper pouch 6 oz., 130-220 calories 3 - 5 years
           

Cache Lake

Gourmet pan breads, salads and soups in compact lightweight packaging Dehydrated Light-weight bag.  Does not hold boiling water. 15-18 oz. 1 - 2 years
           

Cache Lake's Outfitter's Choice

New to the market in '07, classic American entrees all require some cooking Dehydrated Light-weight packaging.  Does not hold boiling water. 12-15 oz. 2+ years
           

Enertia Trail Food

Good taste, high calories in a compact package Dehydrated Clear vacuum packed stand-up with zip closure 16 oz. (soupy), 400 calories 1+ year
           

MaryJanesFarm

All organic, vegetarian meals with ethnic flair Dehydrated Burnable, stand-up non-aluminum pouch 8 oz., 250-300 calories 2 years
           

Mountain House

Variety of fully cooked, freeze-dried entrees Freeze-dried Laminated polyester, foil and polyethylene stand-up pouch with resealable zip closure/ oxygen absorber 10 oz., 250-350 calories 7 years
           

Mountain House Pro-Pak

Vacuum packed classic freeze-dried entrees Freeze-dried Vacuum packed, laminated polyester, foil and polyethylene stand-up pouch with resealable zip closure 16 oz., 450-550 calories 7 years
           

Natural High

All natural, gourmet brand.  No artificial ingredients Blend of freeze-dried/ dehydrated ingredients Laminated polyester, foil and polyethylene stand-up pouch with resealable zip closure/ oxygen absorber 10 oz., 250-400 calories 3+ years
           

Richmoor

Old-fashioned style and family-oriented products Blend of freeze-dried/ dehydrated ingredients Laminated polyester, foil and polyethylene pouch 10 oz., 250-400 calories 3+ years

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A: What's the difference between freeze-dried and dehydrated food?

Freeze-drying: Food is rapidly frozen then placed in a strong vacuum.  98 percent of moisture in the food is removed as vapor through sublimation.  Freeze-drying uses low heat and causes little damage to the tissue, taste or aroma.  Products easily reconstitute and more closely resemble the taste and texture of the pre-dried food.  The process is time consuming and requires large, expensive machinery.

Dehydration: Heat is applied to a food, removing the moisture through evaporation.  This is the preferred drying method for some foods, including onions, peppers and tomatoes.  Dehydration is a lower cost method and results in a more compact product.

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A: What are the best backpacking food products?  Which should I choose?

There is no one best choice for backpacking food brands.  We find that customers have favorites from each of the leading brands.  We encourage visitors to write reviews for products they've tested in the field.  You can find a list of the "5 Star" selections on this page.

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A: What's the shelf life of the entrees?

Each product is "best by" date coded -- generally 3 or more years from date of manufacture.  See brand variations in the above table.  Although we hold an inventory, our sales volume and inventory rotation procedures ensure you have the freshest possible product. Expected shelf life is set by the manufacturer and is based on the ingredients, drying method and packaging.  Entrees including shrimp, nuts or dairy products have a shorter shelf life.  Vegetables, fruits, meat, grains and beans can last significantly beyond the typical three years.

MaryJanesFarm comments: We use the term “Freshest if Used By” for our products because after 2 years they will lose nutritional value but at different rates depending on the foods. The foods with higher fat contents are more likely to go bad before the foods with lower fat contents. The foods that are 100% dried herbs, legumes and other spices are most likely to last for much longer.

Oxygen, moisture, light and heat are food's enemies.  Good packaging controls the first three factors.  Storing your packaged food in a cool pantry will further extend it's life.  In the freezer, packaged dried food can last decades! 

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A: What's the fresh to dry weight ratios of dried fruits and vegetables?

Apples 10:1
Bananas 5:1
Blueberries 8:1
Cherries 9:1
Cranberries 10:1
Fruit Munchies 8:1
Fruit Snacks 4:1
Mango 8:1
Peaches 10:1
Persimmons 5:1
Pineapple 7:1
Raspberries 8:1
Strawberries 10:1
Strawberries 'n Bananas 7:1
Corn 4:1
Peas 4:1
Soy Nuts 2:1
Tomatoes 20:1
Veggies 5:1

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Camping Food FAQs
Camping Food FAQs





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