read about this in the minimallist bob thread, didn't want to hijack that thread

here is one of numerous threads on that subject :

Pemmican...

It's a mixture of jerky, berries, and rendered fat. Native American trail food... just about a perfect mix, and it lasts almost indefinitely.

Troy

Dried meat that is then pounded and mixed with fat. Sometimes berries are added.

There are also fruit pemmicans but these are pemmican in label only.

Pemmican is similar, but not like jerked meats. The indians took buffalo meat and dried it to @ 2-4% moisture. It was then pounded into a meal much like corn and mixed with fat and sometimes berries. It was the 19th century equal to a powerbar, mainstay ration, MRE. In good conditions a brick could remain fresh for years. It is an acquired taste, bearing little resemblance to a terryacki and peppered strip of jerky. Trust me on this <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

It definatly is an aquired tast. Goes down best in real cold weather. Warm it up a bit and your bodies need for the extra calories to stay warm greatly improves the taste.

P.S. The berries need to be dried also. Their there for the vitimum C. Helps to prevent scrrvy in long term use.