Backpacker's PantryCuban Coconut Rice & Black Beans, 2 Servings Per Pouch, Freeze Dried Food, 14 Grams of Protein, Vegan, Gluten Free

I have used this product before on simple backpacking overnights. This time around, I used them on. 3 day 30 mile backpacking trip.With long days, you need high calories, ease of use, and flavor. This product has it all.It’s my “go to” quick meal.

This was one of the ones that I had on my a 30 mile trip that produced great flavor. My friend and I shared this twice during the trip. Both very satisfied and happy with the choice. Since cooking is my profession it could have been better but also would you expect from freeze-dried food when you're out in the middle of the woods and all you have is a little better now small pot and some water and you put it into it it's like Gourmet cooking if I had a choice I'd bring Wolfgang Puck out with me but my friend is no chef so we dealt with this they gave us enough energy for the week of travel that we had there are plenty calories for two people in this as long as you have other snacks as well always be safe on the trail

My Boy Scout son chose this to take on a backpack camping trip, where the boys had to carry everything they needed in their packs for a 3 day outing. He told me that the flavor was "fair," but not delicious, and black beans and rice are one of his favorite dishes.There is another problem with this product -- we wish it were available in much smaller packages. There is a lot of food in one package; it says it can feed 2 people, but my son and I think it contains more like 4 average meals. As it was, my son ate what he could, then had to dispose of the majority of it because there was no way to store it in a healthy way to eat later, and food could not be left out where he was because of the danger of bears.IF THIS PRODUCT WERE AVAILABLE IN SINGLE SERVING POUCHES, IT WOULD HAVE EARNED A HIGHER RATING FROM US.

I was on a three day backpacking trip on the AT and this was probably my favorite meal of all those I brought pre-packaged. For the sake of cost, I try to make my own as much as I can. However, these are perfect when you just don’t have as much lead time as you’d like in planning. They are light (as in carry weight) and this particular meal tastes great and felt heartier than most. Package is somewhat flexible to squeeze into crevices when packing but is still a tad stiff. So, you have to work at it a little but I find them easier than the Mountain House packages to fit. It was also cheaper than most of the meals out there too.

This is hands down one of the tastiest backpacking meals and we’ve tried just about all of the brands and options. However, we have nicknamed it the Cuban Nuclear Program due to its voluminous and odorous after effects. Recommend sleeping with the tent flaps open and the meal is shared by all so everyone is responsible for the fallout.

So flavor is very mild. I would definitely expect more flavor from Cuban black beans and rice…BUT it doesn’t taste bad and can be improved with a few lightweight spices. Not really getting the banana very much, and not the coconut or cilantro at all. But we would eat it, and better my son would eat it. Shelf life is 18 months, which isn’t as long as I would like it to be, but we are keeping it for our emergency bag.

This was one of my favorite backpacking meals. My only complaint is that it could be a bit more seasoned and the bananas are a bit sweet not like traditional plantains used in Caribbean cooking. But I wasn’t expecting it to be totally authentic. Also it says 2 servering but I ate the whole thing in one sitting. I’m a very petite female so don’t expect that after a long day of trekking you’ll have leftovers.

Smell….8/10Taste….9/10Texture….7/10 (See ease of prep.)Ease of prep….7/10 (A few of the beans were a little crunchy.)Quantity…10/10 (It is a lot of food.)Shelf-life….6/10 (only 2 years)Bottom line: This meal was pretty good, and I would buy it a again.I’m not sure that the shelf life is long enough for emergency food, but for camping food, this is a pretty good choice.