Military food

Here’s what soldiers eat

By Culinate staff

September 7, 2010

Awhile back on Culinate, Ethicurean cofounder Bonnie Powell turned her attention to MREs — those meals in a pouch that sustain American soldiers fighting wars in distant lands. (MRE stands for Meals Ready to Eat.) Her verdict? As flavor goes, they’re not the worst thing she’s ever tasted.

Now the New York Times is featuring a photo essay on the same topic — "A Taste of Home in Foil Packets and Powder." However, this interactive graphic unpacks the combat meals from more than a dozen countries, from Italy to South Korea to the United States.

Of course, most of what’s in these packets is edible — and, no doubt, heavy on the preservatives — but it is interesting to see the accoutrements. Moist towelettes, anyone?