French Rations Best?

[Baloo]

So, anyways, last night at work, during break, I was sifting through a Maxim (I was only reading the articles, I swear!  ) and I saw this comparison of the MRE's for 6 different countries. Well, apparently the British have the worst, and French have the best. Canadians are above the Yanks, though on par with Germans, just below the Norweigans. Can anyone substantiate these claims? I have only ever had token items from the Americans, so I really can't rate it. Apparently, the major plus of the Canadian ration pack is that it has a spoon that reaches the bottom of the pouches. Thoughts?

 

[aesop081]

i ate rations from about 12 different countries, the french ones are good but i found them too small for my north american apetite.  They were a good break from eating our IMPs for weeks on end.

 

[Highland Lad]

I'm intrigued - what issue was that?

Anyhoo - I've tried a few of them, and it would be really kind to the Yanks to say that IMPs are "slightly better" than MREs (except for the dehydrated peaches), but both are head and shoulders above the stuff the Brits feed their guys in green.

All in all, IMPs are pretty damned good, and even I don't miss the sardines, canned everything, and folding can openers of IRPs. As for the spoon reaching the bottom, I just used to cut open the sides of the packs, that way you don't miss any of the yummies (bits of ham that fell out of the omelette - heaven!  :-[ )

 

[Baloo]

Uhm, it is the January 2005 issue, Eva Longoria on the cover.

 

[1feral1]

Me, I used to hate the Aussie ones, but they have come a long way in the 10yrs I have been here. I had always thought the CF ones were the best (compared to UK, German, and US MREs).

Try www.pasols.org and go to the PACRAT section and  see whats in Australian rations, and the various types of packs, such as a 'one manner' and '5 manners'.

The Aussie ones now have foil packets of good meals from satay chicken to sausages and tomatoes. Potatoes, corn, carrots, peas, and fruit etc, plus an almost ridiculous assortment of accessories, cookies (yes ANZAC biscuts) and sweets, including M&Ms (in the one man packs). I rate the Auspacks, especially the 5 man ones, a 7/10 overall. These 10 man packs are also usually (but not always) suplemented with fresh (locally procured) bread also, and again makes a big difference.

At the link above, along with Australia, there is Canada, USA, and a few other SE Asian countries listed with everything 'under the sun' about their rations.

Cheers,

Wes

 

[X Royal]

In years past I have eaten different countries rat. packs and on the average the Canadian rats. were best. Have eaten US, German, British, Greek, Italian, Norwegian & of course Canadian. The Germans did have good   chocolate. Tried to trade for Turkish rats. in Cyprus but they were feed so poorly that rat. packs were not available.

Best Wishes

PS: Ate Luxembourg rats. but they used German rat. packs + one hot haybox meal per day. In Noraway on NATO EX we were cut off behind EN lines & the Luxembourg troops threatened to go on strike if they didn't get their hot meal daily. :crybaby: End result - The meals were flown in by helicopter. :

 

[aesop081]

The german ones were good, lots of crackers and meats but....the first time i ate them, nobody told me the box was for a full day !!  Here i am eating the whole thing thinkin " these german guys get fed alot..i like it........"

 

[MJP]

I've eaten quite a few rations by other countries and use to love IMPs hands down against any other.   I actually use to detest MREs, but after having them on a few exercises in the past year, I think MREs edge out IMPs slightly.   I like the fact that I don't have to dig around for a green bag when I want breakfast, I just grab any meal.   They also have allot of small snack items that can be easily shoved into pockets for later consumption, wherear IMP falls far short in that category.   I hate having fruit in every meal, and would rather have it only occasionally and instead get more ""snacks".   I like the tabasco in every meal(well most), and it a good thing too because that is the only category I think IMPs beat MREs and that is taste.  

the first time i ate them, nobody told me the box was for a full day !!  Here i am eating the whole thing thinkin " these german guys get fed alot..i like it........"

I did the same thing with French rations...I was one hungry fat kid at the end of that day....

 

[Burrows]

Hmm...only 10 sheets of toilet paper per person comes in the aussie meal....are these super absorbent?

 

[X Royal]

[quote author=Burrows ]
Hmm...only 10 sheets of toilet paper per person comes in the aussie meal....are these super absorbent?
[/quote]

Maybe not everyone is as full of it as you. ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[1feral1]

Its a fair bit actually, and one can 'stock up'.   ;D Each sheet is about  25cm long, so there is plenty.

Cheers,

Wes

 

[the 48th regulator]

Yep I agree with Maxim,

I loved those French rations, (Sausage with lentils, Chicken curry..).  Funny ,I was talking about them recently with some civvy friends at work. But aesop081 definitely was bang on, the packs are not enough for us Canucks I ate a days worth or rations in one sitting the first time I tried them.

tess

 

[Burrows]

Maybe not everyone is as full of it as you. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Thanks.....

 

[X Royal]

No problem. ;D Just couldn't resist.

 

[SHELLDRAKE!!]

 

[SprCForr]

I loved the old chicken and rice LRRPs. My old Tp WO used to say he didn't care what type he ate, so long as it made a turd. :

 

[noneck]

I agree with the Regulator, French ration chicken curry was great, however those little sausage things sucked.

German rations, at least the only one I got to try for a month  straight German ration #1 Hamburger ein Tomaten Sauce. Our CQ in Yugo was supposed to grab half a pallet of four differnet German rations types, instead he grabbed two pallets of German Ration #1, so the troops ate the same ration for a month...god bless you Warrant A!!

As afar as the other types MRE are fine, so Are IMP's and the new Brit Rations are ok as well, especially the massive brew kit that each ration comes with. I agree with "Large Canadian Appetites" theme. I think we may be spoiled and fed too well  or at least too much.

Noneck

 

[Ghost]

The french know how to cook.

As long as it isn't my mom's Guy Lafleur stew I really don't care what I am eating.

 

[Morgs]

Maybe its just from growing up in England but the Brit rat. pack breakfasts are the best... mmm bacon and beans, and corned beef hash. gotta love it! Its a good thing they are in bags that you cant see through, because they really didnt look too appetizing.

 

[Thompson_JM]

British Rat Packs.... mm mmm good...

the beans and weiners for breaky were good.... what was unsettleing however was the colour... The Day-Glo Orange colour remained the same on in-clearance, AND out-clearance.....   

overall though, the rations were better then some of the hayboxes.....  i still get a little nautious thinking about the fried bread....  everything else was pretty good though.