Gorp is a portable high-energy food made up of nuts, dried fruit, grains, and seeds, often referred to as trail mix or scroggin. Its origin is unclear, but it’s popular with hikers and travelers worldwide. It can be dangerous for sedentary people due to its high caloric value. Gorp can include various dry products, and some companies add sweets to make it more appealing. A well-balanced serving provides protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Gorp is a high-energy food product designed to be very portable, allowing people to take it on hikes and trips for a quick burst of energy. It consists of a mixture of nuts, dried fruit, grains and seeds and is classically eaten directly as a snack. Many grocery stores and outdoor supply companies sell gorp, often with several varieties available, sometimes including a “house blend,” and it’s also possible to make gorp at home.
A variety of slang terms are used to describe this food. Some people know it as trail mix or scroggin, for example, and other regional terms can be found in use among outdoor clubs and groups of friends. The origins of the word “gorp” are unclear. Several people have suggested that it is an acronym for “good raisins and peanuts” or “granola, oats, raisins and peanuts,” but these acronyms are likely backformations, made up to fit the word rather than precede it. The only reference to “gorp” in many dictionaries is a twist on the twentieth-century slang term meaning “to eat greedily.”
Whatever the origin of the word, Gorp is immensely popular with hikers, travelers and backpackers worldwide. It is also sometimes eaten as a snack by students and other people who are often on the go. The high caloric value of gorp is extremely beneficial for people who want some energy in a hurry, but it can also be dangerous for people who are sedentary, because it is easy to eat a lot of gorp, thus consuming a high percentage of the recommended daily calorie value without feeling eaten a lot.
Any number of dry products may be included in gorp, including rolled wheat, oats, peanuts, cashews, almonds, raisins, dried cranberries, dried apples, sesame seeds, pecans, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and barley . Some companies also add sweets to their gorp to make it more appealing, by adding chocolate, crystallized fruit, or candy pieces. Candy also adds energy. In all cases, the ingredients are very stable at room temperature for extended periods of time.
A well-balanced serving of gorp provides abundant protein from nuts and seeds, paired with vitamins and minerals from the blend. The food is designed to be energy intensive, allowing people to eat a small amount for a high calorie value, as energy intensive foods are easy to get on track. Some versions of gorp can cross the line into sweets, resembling a candy concoction more than a healthy snack, and that’s something to be careful of when making or buying gorp.
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