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Bla Band are the Scandinavian market leaders for expedition meals. Originally developed though collaboration with the Swedish military; the meals are now a must have for every outdoor enthusiast.
Bla Band says
Blå Band Oriental Chicken with Couscous is a freeze-dried, high-energy expedition meal featuring tender chicken, couscous, vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, green peppers, onions), apple, and apricot, providing around \(650\) kcal per portion.
The meals are easy to prepare by simply tearing the top off the pouch, adding boiling water, closing the pouch and eating directly out of it. The packaging, which was developed in cooperation with Bla Band and Flextrus, is made of a high barrier Flextrus Transofoil® laminate which has outstanding mechanical strength and the special labels on the sides provide extra insulation for keeping the food hot and handling easier.
In order to make the product truly convenient, the pack is wide and shallow to ease eating directly out of it and on the inside of the pouch there are rated markings for adding the correct volume of water. Not all freeze dried food is the same. Some ingredients are best-freeze dried, while others maintain their colour, flavour and texture better if they’re vacuum-dried, puff dried or air dried. Bla band uses all of these different techniques to create the final, great tasting meal. Just add cold water for a tasty main meal with excellent energy and carbohydrate levels.
Our Verdict
Staff here at UOG have found Bla Band's meals pretty tasty and easy to prepare. All you have to do is simply fill the packet up to the indicated level with hot or cold water, stir, wait a little and your ready to go! Not all food brands feature a water level indicator but we prefer they did as they are incredibly helpful.
The packaging is made from Flextrus Transofoil, which is both fully recyclable as a plastic and is designed in such a way to act as an excellent insulator, helping keep your meal hotter for longer.
There's something for everyone as Bla Band’s meals cater for people with special dietary requirements. Some of the meals are suitable for vegetarians, those with lactose intolerance and people who need their food to be gluten free.
 7/10 |
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| STAFF'S TASTE TEST - “Blå Band’s Thai Chicken with Rice & Vegetables is a tasty, aromatic option for trekkers craving something light yet flavourful. Packed with a generous portion of rice, chicken, and colourful vegetables, this meal provides a balanced consistency and satisfying texture. While the dish could benefit from less water and more heat for those who enjoy spice, its flavour remains impressively full and fresh.” |
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Dry Meal
Ingredients:
- Long grain parboiled rice 36%, vegetables 24% (carrot, sweetcorn, red bell pepper, green beans, onion), chicken meat 11%, sunflower oil, coconut milk powder, salt, modified starch, cream powder, glucose syrup, milk protein, sugar, maltodextrin, flavourings, skimmed milk powder, yeast extract, acid: citric acid, chili pepper, turmeric
- May contain traces of : soy, fish, crustaceans, celery, mustard, lupin, molluscs, egg
- Allergens in bold
Preparations:
1 - Tear off the top and fold out the bottom
2 - Add 400 ml of boiling water (level G)
3 - Stir
4 - Re-seal, wait 10 mins
Add more water if required
Can be prepared with cold water but extend time to 30 mins
Specifications
- Weighs: 168g (dry)
Nutrition Facts
| per 100g | Per meal | |
| Energy (kJ) | 1886 kj | 2682 kJ |
| Energy (kcal) | 449 kcal | 641 kcal |
| Fat | 17 g | 24 g |
| of which saturated fat | 6.4 g | 9.2 g |
| Carbohydrate | 54 g | 76 g |
| of which sugars | 11 g | 16 g |
| Fiber | - | - |
| Protein | 17 g | 24 g |
| Salt | 2.9 g | 4.1 g |
