Hot Cooked Rice, Just Add Cold Water

Yep, you read the title right. A Japanese firm has come up with a non-perishable food pack that will steam rice, and all you have to do is add cold water. While they're saying it's primary use could be in areas hit by natural disasters, this technology could easily lend itself to the outdoorsman or others who do not have access to electricity, but crave a hot meal. Here's the story from Mainichi Daily News:

Japanese developers find way to create hot rice with cold water

TSUKUBA, Ibaraki -- An environmental consulting firm and other developers here have come up with a non-perishable food pack that creates steaming hot rice with the simple addition of cold water.

The group has recently introduced the product, named "Hotto! Raisu," to the market.

By subjecting rice to 4,000 times normal atmospheric pressure, the developers were able to preserve rice for long periods in a soft form that holds moisture. When water is poured over an exothermic agent in the pack, steam warms the rice contained within, and after about 15 minutes, the dish is piping hot.

Link to the full story.