The Self Heating Expeditionary Ration Pack, Assorted, also known as SHERPA Rations, SHERPA, or sometimes just SHERP, have a fairly self explanatory name, being a ration which is stable for long periods of time, and it self-heating.

• Manufacturer: Origin Industries
• Price (each): 4 KS each
• Price (Box): 90 KS/box of 24 rations

Around YE 42, Origin Industries began working toward an exploratory mission, with a focus on resource discovery and trade establishment in faraway systems which may or may not have facilities or be easy to resupply, and thus a non-perishable, compact, portable, nutritious, and heat able food source was needed. After several years of testing and development, the Self Heating Expeditionary Ration Pack, Assorted, was finally brought to market in YE 45, both for internal use as well as to sell to any entity that could use it.

Small, sturdy, stable, non-perishable food packages, which have an attached spork, are filled with a variety of dishes. while the presentation isn't exactly gourmet, the fact that the rations heat themselves and actually taste pretty good, as well as provide fairly complete nutrition and enough calories to help most adult humanoids remain active for about half a day makes these ration packs a preferable alternative to something like Ration Pills.

The rations are fairly simple to use, as pulling the attached folding Cerastic spork off the side will cause the heater to activate, which lasts roughly thirty seconds before the food is ready. During heating, the lid will expand and cause some steam to escape from a one-way valve in the center of the lid. Once the valve stops venting steam, the lid can be safely peeled off, and then the spork unfolded and used to consume the ration.

Heat is provided by a thin heating element in the bottom of the tray, which is powered by a capacitor which is isolated from the heating element by small tabs on the spork. when the spork is removed, the capacitor is connected to the circuit, and discharges for 30 seconds, heating the contents. After use, the heating element assembly may be removed from the tray (It takes a bit of effort to pel it off), and the capacitor can be pulled from the recess where the spork was, leaving only the cerastic tray, which can be reused or recycled.

Each ration is contained in a 10cm by 20cm by 4cm package made of Cerastic Flex Basic, which is durable and recyclable. There is a recess on each of the short sides, one of which contains the spork, the other containing the extras, these are covered by a polymer/foil lid to keep them sealed. The top of the package is also sealed with a tough polymer/foil lid, which has a one-way steam valve in the center to allow steam to escape during heating without allowing the food inside to spoil. The tray part of the package is typically black, but can also come in a brown drab color as well. The lid on black trays is white, with contents and instructions printed in black, while the lids on the brown trays is also brown, and printed in a dark brown color.

When buying in bulk, the SHAERPA packages come in a Cerastic tote with pivoting handle on the sides, and a hinged lid that is secured by simple latches on the opposite side. while not rated for heavy loads, it is designed with a reinforced shape which is fairly sturdy and can be reused, or recycled. This tote is 41cm wide, by 21cm long, and 31cm tall with the lid secured.

Flavors available for the SHERPA:

• Chicken Dumpling - Chicken Dumpling soup with a thick hearty broth, chewy dumplings, and tender white meat chicken.
• Pork Gyoza - A dozen pork Gyoza in a gyoza sauce
• Chicken Fried Rice - Fried rice with vegetables, chicken, and bits of egg.
• Beef fried rice - Same as above, but with beef.
• Tonkotsu Ramen - Thick Ramen noodles with sliced pork, a Ramen egg, and veggies. The Tonkotsu broth is considerably thicker than usual to prevent spillage.
• Deep Dish Supreme Pizza - A personal deep dish pizza with all the fixings. The dough gets crispy and the cheese and sauce are gooey when heated.
• Raltian Meatballs - Meatballs prepared in that Special Northern Yamataian way, with a savory brown sauce
• Meat-ish Sweet Balls - A Vegan version of the above, made without any meats or animal products. The taste of the balls is slightly sweeter than the meat version, hence the name.
• Salmon Dinner - Steamed Salmon, rice, and mixed veggies, with an herb-butter flavored sauce.
• Stir Fry Veggie Fajitas - Vegan mixed veggie stir fry with flavorful herbs and spices, includes fajita bread in a pouch to prevent them from getting soggy
• The Whole Enchiladas - Two sizable enchiladas drenched in a flavorful sauce with plenty of cheese
• Classic Cheeseburger - A thick, square beef patty with melty cheese. An added divider keeps the fries from getting soggy, and the bun comes in a sealed package for the same reason.

Every package comes with a foldable spork, as well as some extra items. Some of the extra items will differ depending on the menu item.

• Wet wipe packet - A small folded disposable wipe, pre-soaked in an antibacterial cleanser
• Salt and pepper packet - If you don't know what these are, I feel bad for you.
• Red Pepper flake packet - Replaces salt and pepper packet on Stir Fry Veggie Fajitas and Enchiladas
• Soy Sauce packet - Comes with all dishes that include rice
• Breath mint gum - Assorted flavors including Peppermint, Spearmint, Cinnamon-mint, and Berry-mint
• Ketchup and Mustard - Exclusive to the Classic Cheeseburger, kept in the tray rather than the small recess.

Kai created this article on 2023/04/09 07:31.

🚧 This article is a work-in-progress. Is it not currently approved.