FREEZE-DRIED ALTERNATIVES

SUMMIT

I’ve found that vegetarian freeze dried meals can have a more realistic texture than those with meat and Summit’s vegetable chipolote chilli with rice is no exception. Indeed there were few signs that it was freeze dried, though I allowed it to absorb moisture for longer than the stated period.

A tip from Tony White, veteran of many double-handed Rolex Fastnet races, as well as the AZAB and Round Britain and Ireland, is to empty the contents of a freeze-dried packed into a wide-neck Thermos jar, then leave the meal to soak up water for at least 30 minutes (three times the usual recommended period). My first choice would still be a wet meal, though. 7/10

Price £5.50. summittoeat.com

TREK’N EAT

Part of the Katadyn group, which includes Katadyn and Spectra watermakers, these German-made products cater for all meals, snacks and rations. Trek’n Eat has partnered with the single-handed Global Challenge Race 2023 to provide skippers with reduced cost meal options.

These freeze-dried products are quick and easy to make. The Chicken in Curried Rice smells and looks like it tastes – stodgy and unnecessarily sweet. However, while these are not an everyday option for a cruising sailor, their 5-year shelf life and 600 calories per pouch makes them a great alternative to have in the locker to warm you up on a cold day at sea. 6/10

Price: £7.00. trekneat.com