Maconochie facts for kids
Photographed in the Imperial War Museum, London
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| Type | Stew |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Scotland |
| Created by | Maconochie Company |
| Main ingredients | Turnips, carrots, potatoes |
Maconochie was a type of canned stew. It was made by the Maconochie Company in Aberdeen, Scotland. This stew was a common meal for British soldiers. They ate it during the Boer War and World War I. There was even a French version of this stew called Maconóochie.
Contents
What Was Maconochie Stew?
Maconochie stew was a mix of sliced vegetables and beef. The main ingredients were turnips, carrots, potatoes, onions, and haricot beans. These were all cooked together in a thin broth. It was named after the company that produced it.
A Soldier's Meal
This stew was an important food ration for soldiers. It helped feed British troops in the field. Soldiers relied on it during the Boer War (1899-1902). It was also a key part of their diet in the front-line trenches of World War I (1914-1918).
Why Soldiers Disliked Maconochie
Even though Maconochie stew was meant to feed soldiers, many of them really disliked it. It was often the only food they had.
The Taste and Texture
Soldiers often complained about the stew. One soldier said that it was "edible" if warmed in the tin. But if eaten cold, it was very hard to get down. Some said the potatoes looked like "unidentifiable black lumps."
Another person described the stew as "an inferior grade of garbage." This was because of the fat that would harden on top. It also had chunks of meat and vegetables that were hard to tell apart.
Unpleasant Smells
Some versions of Maconochie contained turnips and beans. Soldiers reported that these versions had a very unpleasant smell. This smell was especially strong when the ingredients were combined.
However, not everyone had a bad experience. Records from the Fraserburgh Heritage Centre show some positive comments about the stew. This suggests that some soldiers found it acceptable.
