Often, the best new-product ideas are the simplest — such as paper clips, Velcro, weighted blankets, Beanie Babies and Koosh balls, not to mention the Pet Rock. The idea for La Guita began with one simple question: Why can’t campers (or servicemen and women or Boy or Girl Scouts) enjoy quality, gourmet meals when camping or otherwise away from restaurants or grocery stores? Why do prepacked hiking meals have to taste like wet cardboard?
MREs (meals ready to eat) don’t have to be same-old, same-old. The brains behind La Guita are a talented Argentine chef and an experienced wilderness hiker who combined their inside knowledge to raise the bar on hiking meals. Think turkey goulash and vegan minestrone, or bacon grits and fruity-exploding oatmeal. Picture fresh ingredients such as organic zucchini, garlic, roma tomatoes — no more soggy, bland meals. Or even hiking meals that are fine but just not great.
Not every food can be successfully dehydrated, and knowing which ones survive the process while keeping their flavor and nutrient value is half the battle. Our other focus is constantly working to create new, nutritious meals that delight the palate. We’re not competing against other survival or ready-made meal producers; we’re competing against ourselves. It’s not even about quantity; it’s about quality.
Yes, imagine natural, fresh, organic ingredients, and our gourmet camping/hiking meals have expiration dates. Would you rather ingest a meal that expires on a natural, healthy timeline or one that expires in the year 2050? And what the heck is mononitrate, anyway?
Why would you take the trouble and expense to enjoy a national park’s wonder and splendor and then try to fortify yourself with a bland meal? Beef jerky and rice cakes have their place, but hiking the wilderness is not the time to hurry up and eat. Relax, slow down and let La Guita enhance your experience while delighting your palate. We are targeting hikers and other adventurers with diverse tastes who want to up their camping game. Give us a try.
