Also known as trail mix, gorp is a favorite adventure snack because it’s lightweight, nutritious and provides a quick energy boost from carbs and sustained energy from fats. The average 150-gram cup of gorp boasts 693 calories and 44 grams of fat.
The combination of nuts, raisins and chocolate as a trail snack dates to the 1910s, when American travel writer Horace Kephart recommended it in his popular camping guide, Camping and Woodcraft. However, the backpacker’s acronym for Good Old Raisins and Peanuts—or Granola, Oats, Raisins, and Peanuts, depending on who you ask—didn’t catch on until the late ‘60s.
The most famous raisins of all time are undoubtedly The California Raisins, a fictional rhythm and blues band created for a 1986 Sun-Maid commercial. The California Raisins launched a $7.5 million advertising campaign by singing, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” They went on to release four albums, score a Billboard Hot 100 hit, and earn an Emmy nomination. Not bad for a bunch of dried grapes brought to life through the magic of Claymation.
Meanwhile, the most famous peanuts reside within a weekly American comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, which ran from 1950 until 2000. Featuring Charlie Brown and friends, Peanuts is said to be one of the most popular and influential comic strips ever created, and—with 17,897 strips published in all—some claim it’s the longest story ever told by one person.
Though some call the peanut the king of nuts, it’s actually a legume. A legume is a pod with seeds that will start to open on its own as it becomes ready for harvesting. With nuts, a hard outer shell protects a single seed—the part we call the nut—and it does not open on its own.
Boy’s Life magazine ranked 35 trail mix ingredients from best to worst—the top contenders were Reese’s Pieces, cashews, banana chips, Chex cereal, and granola. Candied orange peel, coconut and popcorn rounded out the bottom. Use this information to inspire your own unique gorp creation on National Trail Mix Day, August 31.
Ultimate trail mix
Trail mix is the classic backcountry trip snack. Make it your own and ensure you will eat it by skipping the prepackaged variety and adding in healthy and scrumptious ingredients. Our favourite additions?
Ingredients:
- Brazil nuts
- Yogurt-covered raisins
- A dark chocolate bar cut into pieces
- Skor bar chunks
- Slices of dried mango
- Roasted almonds
- Dried apples
- Peanut-butter M&Ms
- Cashews
- Peanuts
- Chocolate-covered goji berries
