レトルト

れとると
noun
retort pouch food
1. retort pouch food, ready-made packaged food
Pre-cooked food packaged in a sealed pouch that can be heated in boiling water or microwave.
レトルトカレーを(あたた)める。
To heat up retort pouch curry.
(いそが)しい(とき)はレトルト食品(しょくひん)(たよ)る。
When I'm busy, I rely on retort pouch food.
非常食(ひじょうしょく)としてレトルトを備蓄(びちく)している。
I stock retort pouches as emergency food.

レトルト refers to pre-cooked food sealed in a pouch that can be heated quickly. In everyday Japanese, it usually means レトルト食品(しょくひん) (retort pouch food).

ETYMOLOGY:
From English 'retort' — a pressure vessel used in the sterilization process during food packaging.

COMMON PRODUCTS:

  • レトルトカレー: retort curry (the most popular type)
  • レトルトごはん: pre-cooked rice
  • レトルト食品(しょくひん): retort pouch food (general term)

PREPARATION:

  • 湯煎(ゆせん): heat by boiling in water
  • 電子(でんし)レンジ: microwave

CULTURAL NOTE:
レトルトカレー is a household staple in Japan. 大塚(おおつか)食品(しょくひん)'s ボンカレー (Bon Curry, 1968) was the world's first commercially sold retort pouch food. The term is sometimes used pejoratively to mean 'instant' or 'not homemade.'