After years of having a wee bottle of Tabasco to spice up their rations, troops now will be using powdered hot sauce.
According to a story in Stars and Stripes, the batch of Meals, Ready to Eat in production this year will include powdered hot sauce for the first time.
The iconic tiny bottles of Tabasco sauce will be phased out by 2024, Julie Smith, senior food technologist for the Army’s Combat Feeding Division, told Stars and Stripes.
The hot sauce shift is one of several changes to MREs approved in February. The 2022 batch will introduce fruit pouches, a coconut almond bar, and a Mexican-rice-and-bean-bowl meal, an Army document summarizing the changes said.
According to the article, the military also approved 10 new items for MREs in the coming years. Chicken stir-fry meals with carrots, bamboo shoots and ginger soy sauce are slated to arrive by 2024. A new recipe for spaghetti with beef and sauce, granola, lemon cheesecake, an apple dessert spread and larger portions of jalapeno cashews and smoked almonds are also on the way within the next two years.
Subtractions from this year’s menu include the creamy spinach fettucine meal, wheat snack bread and flavored cappuccino powder, the document said.
The changes were the result of troop feedback and an emphasis on reducing weight in MREs, Smith said.
Military rations have featured mini bottles of Tabasco for decades. Generations of troops have used the iconic red pepper sauce to liven up field rations.
But the glass bottles add up in weight and cost when produced by the millions, Smith said.
To read the whole story, click here.
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As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in military rations and food technology, my knowledge extends to the recent developments in the composition of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs). The transition from traditional Tabasco sauce in mini bottles to powdered hot sauce represents a significant evolution in the military's approach to enhancing the flavor of rations. This change, as reported in Stars and Stripes, is part of a broader set of modifications approved in February, aiming to improve the overall MRE experience based on troop feedback and a focus on reducing weight.
Julie Smith, the senior food technologist for the Army’s Combat Feeding Division, has played a crucial role in implementing these changes. The decision to introduce powdered hot sauce and phase out the iconic tiny bottles of Tabasco sauce by 2024 is driven by practical considerations. According to Smith, the glass bottles contribute to both weight and cost issues, especially when produced in large quantities.
The 2022 batch of MREs will not only feature powdered hot sauce but also include other new additions, such as fruit pouches, a coconut almond bar, and a Mexican-rice-and-bean-bowl meal. These changes reflect a diversified and improved menu to cater to the nutritional and taste preferences of military personnel.
Looking ahead, the military has approved ten additional items for future MREs. Notable among these are chicken stir-fry meals with carrots, bamboo shoots, and ginger soy sauce, scheduled to be introduced by 2024. Other upcoming additions include a new recipe for spaghetti with beef and sauce, granola, lemon cheesecake, an apple dessert spread, and larger portions of jalapeno cashews and smoked almonds within the next two years.
The modifications also involve the removal of certain items from the MRE menu in 2022, such as the creamy spinach fettucine meal, wheat snack bread, and flavored cappuccino powder. These adjustments are a direct response to feedback from troops, highlighting a commitment to refining the MRE offerings based on practical experience and nutritional considerations.
In conclusion, the changes in military rations, particularly the shift from traditional Tabasco bottles to powdered hot sauce, demonstrate a proactive approach by the military in addressing the evolving needs and preferences of troops. This culinary evolution is not only a testament to the adaptability of military rations but also showcases the ongoing efforts to optimize weight, cost, and nutritional value in Meals, Ready to Eat.
