What is pemmican?

Pemmican is the original survival superfood. It's a simple mixture of meat and fat made entirely from animal products without additives, carbohydrates, or sugars. 

Imagine this: You live in the open plains and primarily eat bison and other wild animals. But now it's winter, and there's limited hunting for the next six months, with no access to a refrigerator. What do you do?

Pemmican, a remarkable combination of meat and fat, is highly nutritious and versatile. It can last for months at room temperature, making it an excellent choice for surviving winter or providing sustenance during a hunt or a long journey.

How is it made?

The meat is separated from the fat, thoroughly dried, and ground into powder. The fat is turned into tallow by heating and filtering to remove water. The meat and tallow are combined with salt for taste, and the mixture is shaped into portions. Sometimes, dried berries are added.

The result is a nutrient-packed, high-calorie food that does not spoil. Half a kilogram (1 pound) of pemmican contains about 2500 calories, enough to sustain an average male adult for a day.

Why doesn't pemmican spoil?

Regular jerky (dried meat) spoils because it is porous and absorbs moisture, allowing bacteria to grow. Pemmican, on the other hand, has tallow that saturates the pores so that humid air cannot moisten the meat. When kept in an airtight container, pemmican has been reported to last anywhere from 5 to 50 years.