Rating: | 7.8 / 10 |
Value for Money | 1.6 / 2.5 |
Taste | 1.4 / 2.5 |
Convenience | 2.3 / 2.5 |
Weight | 2.5 / 2.5 |
The Back Country Cuisine range of outdoor meals is probably the best known in Australia. These meals are stocked by the majority of outdoor stores and many people consider them the staple meal choice for outdoor activities. Back Country has a huge range of meal choices and many stores seem to select a ‘top ten’ so you are unlikely to find the full range in any one store. In addition to the large variety of single serves (entrée size/single person), the company also has twin serves although the single serve options don’t seem to have as large a variety at least as far as the stores I visit.
The taste of Back Country Cuisine Thai Chicken Curry meal is classed as OK but when you compare it to the Outdoor Gourmet Thai Green Chicken Curry it doesn’t come close. When you compare these two meals side by side there is simply no competition. Having said that, the Outdoor Gourmet offering is only available as a two person meal.
With many of the Back Country Cusine freeze dried meals I suggest reducing the amount of water added as the recommended amount of water often leaves the meals a bit on the wet side and this meal offering is no different. The packet recommends to add 220 ml of water but I reduced the amount of water to 190 ml which resulted in a good texture. I also suggest increasing the rehydration time to around 12 minutes rather than the recommended ten minutes.
The normal price sits around the AUD $14.99 RRP mark for a single serve pack which works out to be less cost effective than the twin serves that usually cost around AUD $21.99 RRP. Most of the larger chain stores offer member discounts or have regular sales so its worthwhile looking around. These products do have a long shelf life so you can stock up at the sales come in anticipation of an upcoming trip.
The meal comes in a bag that is well designed and the bottom opens out to provide a flat base for those minimalists who want to leave the bowl at home. The option exists to tear the top off the bag to allow easy access to the food but you if you have a long handled spork/fork you won’t need to tear the bag. My other reason for not tearing the top off the bag is that you minimise any mess and after you’re done because you can re-zip the zip lock for clean disposal.
So what is the final verdict? While many hikers will find this meal to be perfectly fine, and in all honesty the taste is OK, it can’t compare the the Outdoor Gourmet version. If you want a single serve meal go for the Back Country. If you’re looking at a twin serve meal then choose the Outdoor Gourmet option.
You can purchase the Back Country Cuisine Thai Chicken Curry meal online from Macpac, Snowys, Wild Earth, or from Wildfire Sports
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AUD $14.99 RRP
Back Country Cuisine Thai Chicken Curry meal as purchased
Back Country Cuisine Thai Chicken Curry meal unrehydrated
Back Country Cuisine Thai Chicken Curry meal rehydrated and ready to eat
This review was done with product purchased from a retail store by Australian Hiker
22 May 2024