由上戰場無啖好食到有訂製食品，軍糧走了200多年…
From survival to satisfaction: The 200-Year Evolution of Combat Rations
軍糧的起源
世界上第一包軍糧，是由美國人Nils O. Nystrom於1810年代發明的。在美英戰爭期間，他為美軍製造了一種方便攜帶保存的乾燥食品包裝，這就是最早的軍糧包。元祖軍糧用真空密封技術將食物裝入密封包裹中，讓士兵能隨身攜帶且不易腐壞，提升了軍隊的後勤補給能力。
The Birth of Battlefield Ration
The world’s first deployment of the "ration pack" dates back to the 1810s, pioneered by Nils O. Nystrom. During the War of 1812, he engineered a portable, dried food package for US Army. By utilizing early preservation techniques, these tactical packs allowed soldiers to carry rot-resistant rations into the field, drastically enhancing logistical reach and keeping boots fueled on the battlefield.
軍糧廣泛應用
隨著19世紀末期的罐頭技術及補給體系提升，罐頭軍糧大行其道，克里米亞戰爭及一戰期間，乾燥食品、罐頭軍糧成為主流、美軍開始使用方便攜帶的罐頭產品補給前線；一戰後軍糧已成為各國陸海軍補給後勤的重要組成，供給前線士兵的，亦以罐裝食物和乾燥食品為主流。
The Iron Age of Logistics
By late 19th century, canning technology revolutionized the front lines. During the Crimean War and WWI, canned goods and dehydrated staples became the military standard. The US Army led the charge, deploying portable canned goods to ensure frontline operators remained fueled in the harshest conditions. By the end of the Great War, these rations had evolved into the backbone of global Army and Navy logistics. The "tin-can" meal and dried food packs became the ultimate survival kit for every soldier on the front line.
軍糧標準化
二戰時期，MRE及即食罐頭軍糧開始大量標準化生產，軍糧的成分與及營養品質顯著提升，這被視為現代軍糧的起點。MRE（Meals Ready to Eat）的早期原型開發，營養、即食性、包裝密封性及便攜性得到大大改善。
Standardization of Modern Meal
World War II marked the "modern era" of combat rations. This was the turning point where MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat) and canned field rations were mass-produced with clinical precision. Nutritional profiles were boosted, shelf life was extended, and packaging was reinforced.
難食的軍糧
然而，早期的MRE因為僅注重保存性、口感不佳，過於難吃所以飽受廣大美軍士兵的劣評，令MRE得到了以下的惡名：Meals Rejected by Ethiopians（埃塞俄比亞人拒絕的食品）、Mentally Retarded Edibles（適合弱智人士進食）、Materials Resembling Edibles（貌似可吃的物體）及Morale Reducing Elements（打擊士氣的因素），十分慘情。
當代軍糧的內容
時至今日，一包MRE會包括：主菜配菜、甜品零食、梳打餅或麵包（含果醬）、沖劑飲料、餐具及無燄加熱器等；另外還有口香糖、火柴、餐紙及調味料等，已比初代的MRE豐富很多。
軍糧的發展
近年的軍糧，已朝向品種多樣化發展，會配合不同氣候和作戰需求，素食、特殊口味及高熱量軍糧應運而生；此外包裝材料和技術亦不斷改進，強調環保與易用性，氣調包裝、真空包裝及納米技術應運而生，你對軍糧的發展又有甚麼期望？留言分享一下。
The Future of Combat Nutrition: Precision & Innovation
In recent years, military rations have broken the mold of "one-size-fits-all." Today’s menus are strategically diversified to meet specific climates and mission profiles. From high-calorie cold-weather kits to specialized vegetarian options and gourmet-tier flavors, modern rations are engineered for the individual operator.
What’s your take on the evolution of field rations? Leave us comment and share your expectations for the future of tactical fuel!
British Army 24 Hour General Purpose Ration Pack
