Anyone out walking in this weather is surely longing for more than something cold to drink. A nice cold ice cream can work wonders in searing heat too. With Astronaut Ice Cream that is no problem at all! Well, that is not quite true, because “cold” is not exactly the word for astronaut ice cream. In terms of taste, though, it is definitely ice cream — which is more than you can say for some other outdoor foods, the tinned hamburger among them.
The maker: Astronaut Foods
As far back as the launch of Apollo 7 in 1968, Astronaut Foods was producing freeze-dried food to keep astronauts supplied in space. Hikers are not the only ones who have to watch the weight in their pack space missions take it very seriously too. The freeze-drying process used can remove up to 98 % of the liquid from food without harming the nutrients it contains. The advantages are obvious.
The texture and taste of astronaut ice cream
In terms of texture, Astronaut Ice Cream is not really comparable to proper ice cream it is closer to polystyrene. Beyond that, the ice cream is usually broken into small pieces, which sadly is unavoidable given how it is made. The taste, though, really is a surprise. It is quite creamy and tastes just the way I would imagine ice cream that is not cold ought to taste. Assuming you can imagine such a thing at all. 😉
Which flavours are on offer?
The choice of astronaut ice cream is not exactly vast. The range runs to just two flavours. The Chocolate Choc Chip version is a chocolate ice cream studded with chocolate chips, while Neapolitan is a freeze-dried chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream — essentially a Neapolitan block without the wafer.
Verdict on Astronaut Ice Cream
I am an absolute fan of ice cream in just about every form. The original is of course a good deal better than the freeze-dried version, but as something to nibble on the move, astronaut ice cream is splendid. A tasty if not exactly cheap trail snack, and one you certainly do not come across every day. The low weight of just 19 g and the long shelf life of over three years (unopened) are excellent too.
Pros of astronaut ice cream
- Does not melt 😉
- An interesting alternative to other trail sweets
Cons of Astronaut Ice Cream
- Price
