Treko vs Happy Yak: 7 differentiating elements
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It’s a question that comes up again and again, like a catchy refrain at outdoor shows: “How do your products stand out, especially compared to Happy Yak?”
While this question is legitimate, it is also the perfect opportunity to highlight the unique aspects of our freeze-dried meals. Because yes, at Treko , we are convinced that our products stand out from the competition by a series of characteristics that make them incomparable.
Today, it's time to set the record straight and share with you, in complete transparency, the notable differences that exist between our offers and those of Happy Yak.
Let’s dive into this detailed comparison together and explore what makes Treko a unique choice for your outdoor adventures.
Compared to the design
All our products are vegan
Choosing a plant-based diet over meat is a significant environmental move. Raising animals for meat is responsible for a large portion of greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and deforestation. Additionally, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes is associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
7 benefits of a plant-based diet (vegetarisme.fr)
Reducing your meat consumption, even without eliminating it completely, also has health and environmental benefits. That's why we decided, from the beginning of our adventure, to offer tasty and nutritious vegan meals that are suitable for a wide audience.
When we started our business, there were few vegetarian and vegan options available in the freeze-dried food market. Most of the products were bland and lacked nutritional value. So we saw an opportunity to fill a real need and offer vegan meals that were both tasty and healthy.
Since then, other companies like Happy Yak have also started offering vegan options in addition to their omnivore products. This is a positive development that shows that the demand for healthy and tasty vegan food continues to grow.
100% freeze-dried (no assembly)
At Treko, we pride ourselves on offering 100% freeze-dried meals. But what does that mean in concrete terms? Let’s take our Boreal Pea Soup as an example.
A unique process for optimal flavor
The soup is cooked with fresh, quality ingredients, as if it were meant to be enjoyed immediately. Then it is placed in our freeze-dryers, where a sublimation process removes water gently and precisely.
This unique process not only preserves the texture and nutrients of the food , but it also allows the flavors to concentrate and blend optimally .
An unparalleled taste experience
When you rehydrate your Treko freeze-dried soup, it's as if you've just cooked it at home. You'll find all the original flavors and textures, for a truly exceptional taste experience.
New and surprising products
One of the benefits of our 100% freeze-drying process is that it allows us to create products that are new to the world of freeze-dried meals.
For example, our freeze-dried vegan cretons can be enjoyed with hot water, cold water, and even without water! Have you ever seen this anywhere else?
The Treko difference
At Treko, we are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products. That is why we do not compromise on the freeze-drying process.
Unlike most of our competitors, who freeze dry or dehydrate ingredients in bulk to use in multiple recipes, we freeze dry each recipe individually .
Compostable packaging
At Treko, we believe that outdoor adventure should not come at the expense of the planet. That's why we pay meticulous attention to the packaging of our products, ensuring that it generates zero waste .
Since its creation, Treko has integrated the use of compostable packaging into its DNA. Our goal is simple: to allow you to fully enjoy your freeze-dried meals in the great outdoors, without leaving a trace behind you.
A unique commitment on the market
It is important to note that Treko is the only company on the market to offer 100% compostable packaging for its freeze-dried meals. This major innovation allows you to combine your passion for adventure with a strong gesture for the environment.
A simple gesture for a positive impact
After enjoying one of our delicious freeze-dried meals, simply place the packaging in your compost bin. It’s that simple! Within a few months, the packaging will naturally decompose and turn into a rich soil amendment.
No long list of ingredients
Have you ever found yourself lost in a maze of unpronounceable ingredients on a product label? At Treko, we share the philosophy of Canada's Food Guide and favor a simple and healthy diet.
That’s why our dishes are made with ingredients you’re used to finding in your kitchen. Take our Couscous Aventurier for example: it contains only 13 ingredients, all easily recognizable . Chickpeas, tempeh, zucchini, whole wheat couscous, carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, onion, raisins, canola oil, garlic, salt and spices … Simple, natural ingredients that make up a tasty and nourishing dish.
No more endless lists of additives and preservatives! With Treko, you are guaranteed to enjoy authentic dishes prepared with quality ingredients.
Use of local ingredients
Before designing a new product, a crucial question guides our thinking: Can the majority of ingredients be grown in Quebec? This question is at the heart of our philosophy and is part of a responsible environmental and economic approach.
Promoting food autonomy and the local economy
For us, opting for local ingredients is a top priority. First, it helps strengthen the province's food autonomy by reducing dependence on imports and encouraging healthy and sustainable agricultural production. In addition, favoring short circuits keeps money in Quebec and supports local producers, thus contributing to the economic vitality of our regions.
A concrete commitment illustrated by our daring smoothie
Take the example of our bold smoothie certified Aliment du Québec. This product, a true concentrate of flavors and benefits, is made with fresh and delicious strawberries from the company Fruits du Jour in Lavaltrie. To naturally sweeten this smoothie, we use organic maple syrup from the Érablière Pagé Savard in St-Alexis des Monts. This collaboration with local producers guarantees the exceptional quality of our ingredients and allows us to offer an authentic and tasty product.
Beyond taste, an approach with multiple positive impacts
By favoring local ingredients, we do more than just enhance the taste of our products. This approach is part of a global vision of sustainable development and commitment to the Quebec community. By supporting local producers, we contribute to job creation and environmental preservation. And we contribute to the development of a fairer and more united economy.
Choosing products whose ingredients are mainly grown in Quebec is a concrete gesture that has a positive impact. This is why we are proud to make this priority a fundamental pillar of our business.
Regarding preparation
Preparation time between 1 and 10 minutes
Remember that our products are 100% freeze-dried ? This revolutionary process allows for ultra-fast rehydration, giving you a tasty meal in just minutes. No more long minutes waiting for your water to boil and your food to simmer!
With Treko, it’s simple and practical:
- Add boiling water to your dish.
- Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Enjoy a hot and nourishing meal!
Enjoy this break to the fullest! Take advantage of it to admire the view, pitch your tent, or simply rest before continuing on your way.
And for those in a hurry, Treko offers even faster options: expedition cretons and our bold smoothie . In just one minute, you'll have a delicious meal or nutritious snack at your fingertips.
It works with both cold and hot water.
More and more hiking enthusiasts are adopting a minimalist approach , favoring lightness and efficiency. For these adventurers, every gram counts, and the choice of equipment becomes crucial. Among the elements often sacrificed, we find the burner, however central element to reheat freeze-dried meals.
But there is an alternative: "Cold Soaking" . This technique consists of rehydrating freeze-dried meals with cold water , without the need for a heat source. While it may seem less intuitive, it has many advantages for minimalist hikers.
Gain in lightness and compactness
By leaving the burner at home, several hundred grams, or even more than a kilo, fly out of your backpack. A significant weight saving for long distances or difficult terrain.
Simplify meal preparation
No more handling fuel or searching for wood to start a fire. Cold Soaking is as simple as adding cold water to the bag and letting it sit for a few minutes.
Preserve the flavor of food
Freeze-drying helps preserve the nutritional and taste qualities of foods. Cold rehydration preserves these natural flavors better, unlike heat which can alter them.
Adapt to all situations
Cold Soaking offers great flexibility. You can enjoy a hot meal using your burner, or opt for the simplicity and speed of cold water, depending on your needs and the conditions at hand.
In conclusion
Dive into an authentic culinary adventure with Treko, the Quebec company that is revolutionizing the world of freeze-dried meals. Say goodbye to bland and repetitive outdoor meals and discover an explosion of unique flavors. Whether you are a fan of the beaten path or a fervent fan of Happy Yak dishes, let us surprise you with our passion for gastronomy and our commitment to the outdoors.
Treko is much more than freeze-dried meals : it is an invitation to savor every moment, explore new culinary lands and create unforgettable memories.
So, will we be in your bag on your next expedition?