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Back Country Cuisine is New Zealand's most trusted freeze-dried meal brand — made in Invercargill, using NZ-sourced ingredients, and designed for the specific demands of southern hemisphere tramping. After a long day on the Routeburn or a cold night at a DOC hut, a hot meal that actually tastes good makes a real difference.
The range covers breakfasts, mains, and desserts across a wide variety of flavours — including strong vegetarian and gluten-free options. All meals are freeze-dried (not just dehydrated), which means better flavour, texture, and faster rehydration than most alternatives.
Freeze-Dried vs Dehydrated
Freeze-drying removes moisture at low temperature under vacuum — it retains more flavour, texture, and nutrition than heat-based dehydration, and rehydrates faster (8–10 minutes vs 15–20). Back Country Cuisine uses freeze-drying throughout their range. The result is meals that taste closer to real food than most trail meal alternatives.
Choosing Your Meals
- Calorie count: On a full day's tramping, most adults need 500–700+ calories per meal. Check the label — a "two-serve" pouch can vary significantly in total calories depending on the meal.
- Single vs double serve: Back Country Cuisine offers both. For hungry trampers or long days, double serve is worth the extra weight.
- Dietary requirements: Strong vegetarian range; several gluten-free options clearly labelled. Check individual product descriptions for specifics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare a Back Country Cuisine meal?
Boil water, pour the required amount directly into the pouch (listed on the back of each pack), seal, and wait 8–10 minutes. Eat straight from the pouch — no dishes required. A lightweight camp stove like the MSR PocketRocket or WindBurner is all you need. In cold conditions, insulate the pouch inside a cosy or sleeping bag while it rehydrates to maintain temperature.
Are Back Country Cuisine meals actually good?
Better than most trail meal alternatives, yes. Freeze-drying retains significantly more flavour and texture than heat-dehydration — the mains in particular rehydrate into recognisable food rather than mush. The Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Tikka Masala, and pasta ranges are consistently well-reviewed by NZ trampers. Taste is subjective, but the quality is noticeably above budget alternatives.
How many calories are in a Back Country Cuisine meal?
It varies by meal — single serve meals typically range from 350–550 calories, double serve from 650–900 calories. On a full multi-day tramp with a loaded pack covering 15–25km of NZ terrain, most adults need 500–750 calories per main meal. Check the nutritional panel on each product. For high-output days, double serve or supplementing with snacks is recommended.
Do Back Country Cuisine meals have a long shelf life?
Yes — up to 3 years when stored in a cool, dry location out of direct sunlight. This makes them practical to buy in bulk ahead of the tramping season. Check the best-before date on the pouch. Once opened, consume immediately — they don't store once rehydrated.
Are there vegetarian and gluten-free options?
Yes — Back Country Cuisine has a broad vegetarian range covering breakfasts and mains, and a growing number of clearly labelled gluten-free options. The range is extensive enough that dietary requirements are well-covered across a multi-day trip without repeating the same meal. Check the individual product descriptions for specific dietary information.