What Do You Eat in Antarctica? | Antarctic Extremes

Summary

In this fascinating exploration of food in Antarctica, the script delves into the unique challenges faced by those living and working at McMurdo Station. The harsh environment demands creative solutions for sustenance, including reliance on expired and frozen foods, recycling leftovers, and large-scale food planning. Despite these challenges, the kitchen staff works tirelessly to provide meals that keep morale high, including crowd-pleasers like pizza and chicken tenders. From field scientists to kitchen managers, food is shown as not just fuel, but a key to maintaining happiness and camaraderie in one of the most remote places on Earth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Antarctica is a harsh and food-scarce environment, requiring innovative solutions for feeding its inhabitants.
• 🍕 The McMurdo Station kitchen feeds approximately 900 people during the summer, preparing a massive amount of food and serving about a million meals each year.
• 🍞 In Antarctica, food needs to be shelf-stable and can often be expired upon arrival due to long shipping times. Expiration dates are more of a suggestion than a rule.
• ❄️ Freezing food is a key strategy for preservation. This helps slow spoilage, especially in a place where refrigeration is vital but challenging.
• 🔄 Recycled food is common in McMurdo Station, where leftovers are repurposed and served again, often with added ingredients like cheese to make them look fresh.
• 🍝 Carbs are a staple in Antarctic diets, with large amounts of pasta and bread made daily to meet the high-calorie needs of workers in the extreme cold.
• 🍕 McMurdo pizza is a popular and highly anticipated food item, with around 18,000 pizzas baked annually, and fresh pizza often consumed immediately after being made.
• 🥦 Fresh food, or 'freshies,' like vegetables and fruit, is rare and highly coveted in Antarctica, often arriving only when large planes can land during the summer months.
• 🍔 Field scientists receive food supplies tailored to their needs, including dehydrated foods and high-calorie snacks, ensuring they can cook and eat well despite the isolation.
• 🥳 Food plays a crucial role in morale at McMurdo Station and in field camps. Sharing meals and good food helps build camaraderie and boosts spirits in the extreme conditions.

Q & A

Why do people in Antarctica need to consume so many calories?

Due to the physically demanding nature of work in Antarctica and the extreme cold, people burn more calories to stay warm. Some individuals need between 3,200 to 5,000 calories a day, compared to the average recommendation of 1,600 to 3,000 calories for adults.

How does the McMurdo Station kitchen handle the massive demand for food?

The kitchen staff at McMurdo Station must plan for feeding 900 people in the summer by placing a massive food order in May. This food is shipped down on a boat and must last for an entire year. The kitchen also prepares food in large quantities to ensure they don't run out of supplies.

What are some of the methods used to preserve food in Antarctica?

Food preservation methods include pickling, canning, jarring, and freezing. These techniques help ensure food remains shelf-stable and safe to consume, even if it has been stored for extended periods of time.

Why are expiration dates often ignored in Antarctica?

In Antarctica, expiration dates are considered more of a suggestion than a strict rule. Due to the difficulty of obtaining fresh food and the freezing conditions, food can often be consumed past its expiration date without significant risk.

What role does freezing play in food storage at McMurdo Station?

Freezing is crucial in preserving food in Antarctica. It helps slow down biological activity that causes food to spoil. The extreme cold conditions allow large quantities of food, such as meat and vegetables, to remain safe for longer periods.

What is the challenge associated with thawing frozen food in Antarctica?

The challenge of thawing frozen food arises from the extremely cold environment. The frozen food can lower the temperature of refrigerators to a point where it won't thaw properly, requiring additional heat to bring the temperature up.

What does 'recycling food' mean in the context of McMurdo Station?

Recycling food at McMurdo Station involves repurposing leftover food by reheating it and sometimes adding cheese or other ingredients to make it appear fresh. This practice is necessary due to the limited access to fresh supplies.

How does the McMurdo kitchen manage to provide fresh food, such as pizza, despite being in such a remote location?

McMurdo Station has a large industrial kitchen that can prepare freshly baked food, like pizza, from scratch. They bake around 18,000 pizzas a year, and these pizzas are not frozen or thawed, providing a treat for residents.

What is the significance of 'freshies' in Antarctica?

'Freshies' refer to fresh food supplies, like vegetables, fruits, and eggs, that are delivered to McMurdo Station by large planes during the summer months. These supplies are highly anticipated and treasured, as they provide variety and nutrients not available from stored foods.

What kinds of food do scientists working in the field receive?

Scientists working in the field receive pre-packaged, non-perishable foods such as dehydrated meals, peanut butter, jam, and bars. These are essential for survival and can be easily stored and consumed while working in remote field sites.