Camping is an activity you can do alone or with family and friends. Oftentimes deciding what foods to take camping can be one of the most time-consuming parts of planning the trip. You need to consider how long you will be gone, where you will be going and what external resources may be available. Freeze dried foods give you portability, ease of preparation and a wide variety of choices.
Features
Freeze-dried food is "rapidly frozen then placed in a strong vacuum. Ninety-eight percent of moisture in the food is removed as vapor through sublimation," explains writers on the website, Wilderness Dining. This freezing and drying process takes time and specialized equipment. Because the food is so quickly processed, it often retains the original flavor and composition of the freshly prepared food.
Taste
When considering food for camping or on the trail, it is important to taste it before you go. It is disappointing to expect certain flavors and find the freeze-dried food tastes nothing like the original. The Huffington Post assembled a panel and asked them to taste a variety of freeze-dried foods. Reviews for most items were favorable, however some tasters had a difficult time distinguishing between the meat flavors. Whichever types you choose, be sure to bring spices and condiments to season the foods to your liking.
Availability and Cost
Freeze-dried foods for your adventure are available at outdoor stores, some discount retailers and online. Online stores may have a wider range of options than most local stores have in stock. According to the website Scoutmaster, although freeze-dried foods are more expensive than their dehydrated or canned competitors, the savings in weight and improved flavor may be worth the cost. The cost is dependent on the manufacturer, the serving size and the type of dish.
Weight
Hiking and backpacking on trails are often part of your camping experience. If you will be on the trail for more than a few hours, you will need to be prepared with plenty of food. Hiking burns a lot of calories and food provides you with energy. Food that is not freeze dried can be very heavy. Freeze-dried foods weigh 60 to 90 percent less than prepared food, according to the website Hiking Gear and Equipment Used for Camping. They are packaged in lightweight foil pouches which are easy to pack.
Preparation
After a long day on the trail, the last thing you will feel like doing is preparing a big meal. One further advantage of freeze-dried foods is the ease of preparation. You will need a heat source, a pan or skillet, water and your food. Most freeze-dried foods can be reconstituted with a small amount of water and eaten right out of their foil packet.
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