# Cheap Passover matzo as an emergency food supply? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 31, 2006, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686 "2006-03-31T13:42:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686/21 "2006-03-31T22:10:20Z")
With matzoh? That would turn my lower tract into cement. There is such a thing as too much fiber. Or maybe it’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686/22 "2006-03-31T22:19:55Z")
**silenus** , the key is to drink enough water. Yeah, with little water, the impact is akin to cement. But you water it down a bit, and you’re good to go. If you know what I mean. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686/23 "2006-03-31T22:22:30Z")
Okay, so how about stocking up survival supplies of the bread of affliction, harosit and horseradish? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686/24 "2006-03-31T23:24:15Z")
[QUOTE=scout1222] **silenus** , the key is to drink enough water. Yeah, with little water, the impact is akin to cement. But you water it down a bit, and you’re good to go. If you know what I mean. [/QUOTE] Ah! The key to the whole procedure. I am chronically under-hydrated, so that would be it. Then matzo would be a good survival ration, if it can be purchased cheaply and in adequate supply. ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686/25 "2006-03-31T23:41:47Z")
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant] Okay, so how about stocking up survival supplies of the bread of affliction, harosit and horseradish? [/QUOTE] I wouldn’t recommend that. Haroset, IME, tends to go bad after about a week. Now that I think about it, though, if it’s kept in a tightly sealed jar, it might last a while. Why don’t you try it and report back? The prices for matzah that I’m seeing in the store are typically a 1 pound box for $3, and a 5 pound shrinkwrapped set for $2 to 4. At that price, it’s worth getting the set, and munching on it if I _really_ have to. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2006, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686/26 "2006-04-01T00:40:31Z")
[QUOTE=Scuba\_Ben] Why don’t you try it and report back? [/QUOTE] I can see it now: “Man survives bird flu epidemic eating Hillel sandwiches.” ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2006, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686/27 "2006-04-01T02:10:57Z")
[QUOTE=Lemur866] By the way, the highest use of matzo is matzo brei. Crumble the matzo, pour boiling water over them and drain. Use one egg for every 1 or 2 matzos. Mix with eggs, salt, pepper, garlic powder and cook like scrambled eggs until the eggs set. Add a dab of butter. Mmmmm… [/QUOTE] That’s just _wrong._ Proper matzo brei is made with eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a dab of butter. Or even maple syrup, if you’re feeling fancy. ;j ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2006, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686/28 "2006-04-02T02:49:18Z")
[QUOTE=BMalion] Planning the menu for the Dopefest in June already? 🙂 [/QUOTE] Yup, but matzo definitely won’t be on it. I’d rather have brats with my beer, thanks. I’m stocking up on six-packs of Kosher for Passover Coke, though. ;j ---
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2006, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686/29 "2006-04-02T06:08:57Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] I’m posting this in Cafe Society because it deals with food. Well, kinda’, if you think of matzo as “food.” … Basically, how long would a sealed box of matzo stay edible? I know … Passover matzo is barely edible as it is, but you know. [/QUOTE] As far as I can tell, matzah is pre-staled by the manufacturer. I don’t think it can go bad as long as it stays dry. Ever. You should be fine using it as emergency rations (and I can’t think of any other reason to eat it outside of Pesach, anyway). Just don’t plan on using it \*during \* Pesach any other year. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2006, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686/30 "2006-04-02T14:28:04Z")
Usually at the end of Passover there are sales at the local supermarkets of a 1/2 dozen boxes of Matzo for $3.00 There were a few times in my 20’s when old stale Matzo was an emergency food supply for me. When there is nothing else in the apartment but Ramen and old Matzo, the Matzo with Apple Juice can be a good snack. I am sure I have eaten Matzo over a year old with no complications. Jim {not a ;j, just a gentile who was born into an Italian, Jewish & Irish neighborhood and thusly grew up around Matzo & Bagels} ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2006, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686/31 "2006-04-02T18:06:27Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] Basically, how long would a sealed box of matzo stay edible? I know … Passover matzo is barely edible as it is, but you know. [/QUOTE] Till you ate it up. Consists of flour & water, rolled into thin sheets & baked inhigh temp oven. Keeps well as it is in sealed packages. As to using it as a diet staple? No Thank you. Too dry and bland. Taseless NOT tasty! ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2006, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686/32 "2006-04-02T19:36:20Z")
Why all the hate for matzo? I like the stuff. Today’s lunch was tuna fish salad on “5 Boxes Free with $50 Purchase” Yehuda matzo. ;j Then again, I never really observed Pesach, so I never had to subsist on the stuff for a week. Actually, I think matzo would be ideal for the kind of “survival rations” you’re talking about. Matzo has two major drawbacks: 1. It’s not very nutritious, as it’s made from refined flour, and 2. It’s bulky and fragile. This might make it unsuitable for many situations, but those wouldn’t be an issue for **elmwood** ’s scenario. Let’s say an average American family decides that it would be a good idea to lay in a week’s worth of food and water in case of emergency. The food should be edible without heating. If the family lives in an area with cheap (or free) matzo at Passover time, then it would make a great basis for the emergency rations. Add in cans of beans, tuna fish, fruits, etc., and you’d have a workable and inexpensive diet for a week with a good long shelf life. Heck, you could even mush up the matzo in water or broth if anyone has trouble with solid food. Not that anyone wants to eat cold beans out of a can or matzo gruel, but if you were really stuck, you’d do it. ---
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2006, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686/33 "2006-04-02T20:07:26Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] With matzoh? That would turn my lower tract into cement. There is such a thing as too much fiber. Or maybe it’s just me. [/QUOTE] Yeah, I’m thinking that the matzoh would last a mightly long time as food, but if we’re talking survival here, I’d much rather crumble them up, mix them with some water, and build a house out of them. Sort of Jewish adobe. Then lay in a supply of cheese doodles and some Coke and wait out the onslaught. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-passover-matzo-as-an-emergency-food-supply/350686.md?page=1)