A charitable organization has unveiled a unique concept called the ‘driest Christmas dinner ever,’ featuring dehydrated meat, vegetables, and gravy dust. The aim is to shed light on the hardships faced by individuals living without access to clean water.
WaterAid has introduced this unappetizing meal to emphasize the significant amount of water required to prepare a traditional Christmas dinner and to raise funds for charitable purposes. The dehydrated feast includes shriveled turkey, peas, carrots, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, sprouts, and a large portion of gravy dust.
Research conducted by WaterAid reveals that preparing a lavish meal for four individuals in the UK consumes over 15,000 liters of water, equivalent to filling 125 bathtubs. As the holiday season approaches and people eagerly anticipate Christmas celebrations, many are unaware of the substantial water consumption involved in their favorite festive dishes.
Despite the popularity of classic Christmas foods like roast turkey, roast potatoes, and gravy, most individuals underestimate the water usage associated with these items. Surveys show that festive roast potatoes have a relatively low water footprint, requiring only 60 liters of water per serving, followed closely by turkey, a staple for 69% of respondents on Christmas Day.
Notably, the star of the Christmas dinner, the turkey, is one of the most water-intensive ingredients, demanding a significant 271 liters per serving. To draw attention to this issue, WaterAid is offering the chance to win waterless meals on their Instagram account, with virtual meals available for purchase as a unique gift option through WaterAid’s Shop for life for £11.
The cost of an average Christmas dinner could provide a tap stand for a family in Madagascar, underscoring the disparity in water availability globally. Furthermore, the campaign highlights the alarming statistic that nearly 400,000 children under the age of five succumb to diseases caused by inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene annually.
Water plays a crucial role in our festive traditions, as demonstrated by the consumption of Brussels sprouts, a Christmas favorite that necessitates 76 liters of water per serving. While some may dislike this vegetable, it remains a prevalent feature on holiday menus, with sprouts surpassing pigs in blankets in popularity, as reported by 56% of respondents.
Furthermore, survey results show that half of Britons consider Yorkshire pudding essential for a Christmas meal, while ketchup is deemed a crucial condiment by one in five Londoners. Interestingly, a portion of the population starts Christmas Day with a full English breakfast, and some opt to forego eating until the main festive meal, highlighting the significant water requirements for each culinary tradition.
Actor Eshaan Akbar sampled the dehydrated Christmas dinner and found the experience memorable but not one to be repeated. Acknowledging the importance of water in creating a special holiday meal, Eshaan emphasized the essential role water plays in our culinary experiences.
WaterAid’s Chief Executive, Tim Wainwright, urges the public to consider the significance of water beyond the festive season, emphasizing its critical role in sustaining communities. The ‘driest Christmas dinner ever’ campaign serves as a lighthearted yet impactful reminder of the global water crisis and the transformative impact clean water can have on individuals worldwide.
To support WaterAid’s winter appeal and contribute to their cause, visit the ‘Change starts with water’ campaign on WaterAid UK’s website.