Commercial Meal Review: Poe & Co.

New to the freeze-dried/dehydrated meal scene is Poe & Co. Folk Foods.

Their meals come in low-profile MRE style mylar bags and are single serving. The company is run by a married couple who are both chefs, who wanted to replicate on the trail. The meals are vegan, with 2 of their current 3 options being naturally gluten-free. The meals are clean, with simple ingredients. While carb heavy, it is an option for those who don’t consume meat or dairy.

And the sodium levels are normal, not high.

The meals are $12 each, putting them in the affordable rating for commercial meals.

The Coconut Chickpea Stew is gluten-free.

390 calories, 10 grams fat, 770 mg sodium, 2 grams fiber, 42 grams carbs, and 6 grams protein.

The dry aroma is very pleasant. While I liked the flavor of the dish, it has a sharp, almost bitter edge. I think it might be the garam masala seasoning, as it contains cumin. So, that is a “me” issue. If you like cumin, you will like it. The cauliflower had a pleasant smell, which was great. It’s hit or miss when dehydrated i have found. The chickpeas are nice and firm.

The Black Garlic Ramen bowl has wheat in it,  although its not cheap fried ramen.

It is 290 calories, 15 grams fat, 660 mg sodium, 36 grams carbs, 4 grams fiber, and 7 grams protein.

The dry aroma is very pleasant, and it’s a soothing soup bowl 🍜 to enjoy. Ramen bowls are great for dehydrating one after a long, hot day. This ramen, though, isn’t a salt lick. It’s definitely a one of a kind meal.

I enjoyed the meals. The flavor and aroma for each was fresh and vibrant. These are meals that stand out, especially in the vegan niche of outdoor meals.

I’ll say this:

The meals are what you’d expect in a hipster plant-based/global inspired cafe, instead of a visit The Hippy Hut™️, where it’s the flavor of….crunchy whole wheat pasta and nutrional yeast. And I really appreciated avoiding a visit to a co-op deli.

I would recommend the meals.

-Sarah