Reviews of Long-Term Storage Foods

[Reasonable Rascal]

Backpacker's Pantry Louisiana Red Beans and Rice

All foods sampled have either been provided by a retailer seeking objective reviews, or have been personally purchased for storage, or in some cases specifically for testing before committing to a large quantity. The testers are a combination of Boy Scouts and adults in order to get a decent sample of how well the products might be received in an austere (wilderness, survival, disaster response) setting by various age groups. Testers range in age from 12 to 68 years, and the testers normally consume a mix of home diets ranging from low income or economy cuisine to an Atkins-type high protein/low carb (read that: pricey) lifestyle.

Backpacker’s Louisiana Red Beans and Rice

This product is geared for a certain ethnicity as it were, and may not appeal to everyone. It is a spicy dish, vegetarian in nature, and touted as being all-natural. There are no additives or preservatives listed.

There is a good balance of red beans mixed in with the rice, along with tomato, onion, New Mexico chili pepper and cayenne pepper. Note that sugar is also a somewhat prominent ingredient, listed ahead of cumin and oregano.

The taste test panel for this item consisted of 2 Boy Scouts and 4 adults: 2 males and 2 females.

Rating was on a scale of 0-5 hemostats (stars), with the product prepared in a community church kitchen in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Liquid measurements and temps were precise; sitting time after rehydrating was as directed and each person had their own portion from the community pot to sample.

The packaging was the standard #10 can used by American Outdoor Products, the manufacturer of the food being sampled. The package promised 27 1-cup servings when reconstituted.

Though it is not stated on the package the beans and rice appear to have been prepared by freeze-drying, which makes for a faster prep time when boiling water is added, unlike dried beans which may require at least an hour to soak before being cooked.

Backpacker’s Pantry estimates a 25-year shelf life for their #10 can products. The product did include the usual oxygen absorber. In this instance I did have to dig for it as it had managed to migrate well down within the can.

The food was very easy to prepare, merely measure out the food product and add a measured amount of boiling water, stir thoroughly, cover and let sit for at least 13 minutes.

Comments and ratings are subjective and as quoted by the individual testers.

Comments from the testers included:

Missing a bit of tomato. Too spicy. Likened it to chili. Rated 3/5. (adult male)

Good. 4/5 (Mr. Eats Everything Scout)


Too watery. 2/5. Adult female, accustomed to real Louisiana red beans and rice.

Okay. 3/5 (adult male)

Alright. 3/5 (adult female)


Good. 4.0 (Scout)

This time around the Scouts rated the product higher than the adults, with an averaged rating of 4.0 out of 5 vs. a 3.0 for the adults. Please note that 2 of the taste testers (adult female and 15 year old Scout) are used to red beans and rice as native Louisiana fare and rated it accordingly. Thus they approached it with certain expectations for taste.

Children are known to be finicky eaters, and any food storage program that includes children in the equation needs to take that into account.

The average rating was 3.5 out of 5 amongst a group of 6 testers.

RR’s final opinion: I think this product would be improved if it were combined with crumbled sausage or even Spam dices. That would make it more palatable to non-vegetarians like myself. Most testers likened it to a vegetable chili.

RR

[Reasonable Rascal]

Backpacker's Pantry Garden Vegetable Couscous

All foods sampled have either been provided by a retailer seeking objective reviews, or have been personally purchased for storage, or in some cases specifically for testing before committing to a large quantity. The testers are a combination of Boy Scouts and adults in order to get a decent sample of how well the products might be received in an austere (wilderness, survival, disaster response) setting by various age groups. Testers range in age from 12 to 68 years, and the testers normally consume a mix of home diets.

Backpacker’s Pantry Garden Vegetable Couscous

This product is geared for certain tastes and may not appeal to everyone. It is described as a “hearty mix of vegetables and couscous in a light butter sauce.” It is listed as being both organic and vegetarian.

The above disclaimer being made allow me to say this product has been more than any other product tested a total surprise, and in a very good way. I have personally always avoided couscous as being unappealing. After testing this product I may have to radically readjust my thinking.

The taste test panel for this item consisted of 2 Boy Scouts and 4 adults: 2 males and 2 females.

Rating was on a scale of 0-5 hemostats (stars), with the product prepared in a community church kitchen in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Liquid measurements and temps were precise; sitting time after rehydrating was as directed and each person had their own portion from the community pot to sample.

The packaging was the standard foil pouch used by American Outdoor Products, the manufacturer of the food being sampled. The package promised 1 14 ounce serving when reconstituted.


Backpacker’s Pantry estimates a 7-year shelf life for their foil pouch products. The product did include the usual oxygen absorber. Be sure to dig it out before you add the water.

The food was very easy to prepare, merely add a measure of boiling water to the pouch, stir and let sit for 13 minutes. The directions are set for an altitude of 5,000 feet. In this instance the altitude of the test kitchen was 550 feet.


For the first time we have a new taste tester involved, who happens to be a native of Bangladesh. Couscous is a familiar product to her and her appraisal in this instance was very telling.

Comments and ratings are subjective and as quoted by the individual testers.

Comments from the testers included:

Definitely interesting. Sweet. Rated 4/5. (adult male)

It was good. 4/5 (Mr. Eats Everything Scout)


This is good! I like it. 3.5/5 Adult female.

This is really good. 8/5 (adult female Bangladeshi native) Yes, she really rated it as 8 stars out of 5.

I liked it. 4.0 (Scout)

5.0 (adult male)

This time around the adults were more impressed than the Scouts. Yes, our native couscous eater did actually rate the taste as off the scale at 8 out of 5 hemostats (stars).

Considerations of organic vs. not aside (this is, as stated previously) this product is very deserving of a special place in your preps. It is a very high carbohydrate vs. protein food, with 64 carbs to 15 proteins per serving. As an energy food it rates highly, exactly what a high altitude hiker would want, or someone who is ‘bugging out.’ High carbs, high fat (18 grams per serving).

The ingredients include whole wheat couscous, extra virgin olive oil, corn, carrots, peas, chicken soup flavor (vegetarian), parmesan cheese, garlic, onion, sea salt, parsley and black pepper. This is very important as you will soon see.

My personal experience with couscous is the past has been exactly zero. Nada, zilch, nothing. I had low expectations for this, and must admit that before the first bite hit my mouth I was surprised and pleased. The odor of cinnamon graham cereal hit me immediately as the spoon neared my mouth. Notice the ingredients list above: no cinnamon, no graham (rye by any other name). Nevertheless that is the impression I had. Need I say it was a very welcome impression at that?

The Scouts rated the product a solid 4/5 hemostats. The adults? From a low of 3.5 to off the scale at 8!

I kid you not, I want more of this. I want it for my Bug-Out Bag, my car emergency bag, and as a treat in my long-term food stores. This is cold-weather-you-need-carbs-to-burn-to-stay-warm stuff, high altitude camping/hiking quick-to-fix-no-pot–necessary food, and need-a-boost-to keep-going chow. The greatest drawback to it that I can see is whether or not it will reconstitute well with cold or tepid water rather than boiling. As an emergency rather than planned (hiking, camping, etc) food this could be important. Or not.

For anyone for whom couscous is a familiar item this would be comfort food. For the rest of us? A very pleasant surprise.

Children are known to be finicky eaters, and any food storage program that includes children in the equation needs to take that into account.

The average rating was 4.75 out of 5 amongst a group of 6 testers.

RR’s final opinion: I wish it came in a #10 can. It was that good.

RR

[Papadoc]

Re: Backpacker's Pantry Garden Vegetable Couscous

Thanks RR, I will have to give this one a try.

[Reasonable Rascal]

Kirkwood Chicken and Dumplings

Kirkwood Chicken and Dumplings

I am deviating from my usual format a bit because, well, first of all I was hungry.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own as I was the sole taste tester. I was scanning the pantry shelves and set my eye upon this item and decided what the heck, it was time for a shelf life/taste test

This evaluation will also be of limited use to many here because of the availability factor. Kirkwood is distributed by Aldi Inc., of Batavia, IL, which is a German-owned discount grocer serving the eastern and central US, but not Maine and only the eastern parts of Nebraska and Kansas, none of Mississippi and Alabama, but all of Oklahoma and Texas, and also southern California. A map giving you a general service area idea can be found here:

http://aldiuscareers.com/locations

The manufacturer’s code indicates the product was produced in March 2004. Thus this product has been sitting around on a shelf for some 10 years now. It is a wet pack canned product, one of those usually said to have a relatively short shelf life. If you can call 10 years short that is….

The can is 24 ounces in capacity and was well filled. The entire can was placed in a saucepan and heated through, and then dumped in a bowl. That was it. No additives or extras.

The dumplings are heavy, thick and pasta-like, sort of what might be referred to as a potato dumpling, and shaped like something akin to a ravioli. The chicken was well dispersed throughout the product and listed as the primary ingredient. The juice within the can is more like a chicken broth than just water. Tasty, too.

The taste was pleasant to my palate, though I did break down and add just a quick pass over with the sea salt grinder. Even without that it was not bland. This was not quire Cracker Barrel quality but probably as close as you can get out a can.

Now the great caveat: As the product sample was over 10 years old I do not know if the manufacturing standards have been stayed to. I sincerely hope they have because this is a good product, with a decent balance of carbs to proteins at approx 2:1 (27 Gms vs 14 Gms). I have not passed by an Aldi store since before the Joplin tornado struck and that was in fact the last Aldi I shopped out. That’s what happens when you live in the Mohave desert.

I’m giving this product a rating of 4.0 hemostats for taste, texture and shelf life.

RR

[Papadoc]

Re: Kirkwood Chicken and Dumplings

Thanks RR. This is good to know as living in Missouri I have an Aldi's right here in town.