Trail mix is a type of snack mix, typically a combination of granola, dried fruit, nuts, and sometimes candy, developed as food to be taken along on hikes. Trail mix is a popular snack food for hikes, because it is lightweight, easy to store, and nutritious, providing a quick energy boost from the carbohydrates in the dried fruit or granola, and sustained energy from fatty nuts.
The combination of fat nuts, raisins and chocolate as a trail snack, dates at least to the 1910s, when outdoorsmanHorace Kephart recommended it in his popular camping guide Camping and Woodcraft.[1]
Other names
German Studentenfutter (student fodder)
In New Zealand, trail mix is known as scroggin or schmogle.[2] In Australia, the term "scroggin" is used almost exclusively, although in more recent years, "trail mix" has been imported into the jargon from the US. Some claim that the name stands for sultanas, carob, raisins, orange peel, grains, glucose, and nuts or alternatively sultanas, chocolate, raisins and other goodies including nuts; but this may be a backronym.[3]
The term gorp is often used by campers and hikers in North America. Some claim it is an acronym for "good ol' raisins and peanuts."[4] The Oxford English Dictionary cites a 1913 reference to the verb gorp, meaning "to eat greedily".
In Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and several other European countries, trail mix is called student fodder,student oats or student mix in the local languages. It usually does not include chocolate.
There are common trail mix varieties, which are commonly made at home, or can commonly be found pre-mixed in supermarkets by numerous producers.[5][6][7]
Asia mix (sometimes called Zen mix): peanuts, sesame sticks, rice crackers, and soybeans.
Cape Cod trail mix (sometimes called Northeastern): almonds, cashews, and dried cranberries.
Hawaiian trail mix (also known as Tropical): pineapple, mango, banana chips, coconut, and cashews.[8]
Mexican trail mix (also called Sweet and Spicy): mango, sunflower seeds, pepitas, raisins, and chili powder.[9]
Monster trail mix (or Peanut Butter and Chocolate): peanut butter chips, peanuts, M&M's, and sometimes either or both raisins and cranberries.
Omega-3 trail mix: cashews, walnuts, raisins, cinnamon apples pieces.[10][11]
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