Fruitcake taken to Antarctica by famous British explorer Robert Falcon Scott found in remote hut – and it’s still EDIBLE
The cake was made by the British biscuit company Huntley & Palmers and sent to Antarctica during a 1910-1913 expedition
A FRUITCAKE that has been unearthed after more than a century in a hut in the wastes of Antarctica is still EDIBLE.
The treat was found by conservation experts from the New Zealand-based Antarctic Heritage Trust and was likely shipped there by British explorer Robert Falcon Scott.
The expedition's Northern Party took shelter in the Cape Adare hut and left the fruitcake behind.
Lizzie Meek, conservation manager for the trust, said: "Fruitcake was a popular item in English society at the time, and it remains popular today.
"Living and working in Antarctica tends to lead to a craving for high-fat, high-sugar food, and fruitcake fits the bill nicely, not to mention going very well with a cup of tea."
The conservationists have returned the cake and other artefacts to the hut.
Celebrated polar explorer Robert Falcon Scott was hailed a national hero after his Antarctic Expedition between 1901 and 1904 reached further south than anyone had ever gone before.
The acclaim made him determined to become the first person to reach the South Pole.
In 1910 he embarked on the mission, which was to be his last.
Appalling weather conditions and tough terrain meant that by January 1912 only five remained – Scott, Wilson, Oates, Bowers and Evans.
THE SCIENCE OF THE FRUITCAKE'S LONGEVITY
The fruitcake's incredible long life is largely down to starch crystals from cake flour.
The crystals result in "low water activity", preventing illness-causing bacteria from spreading.
Fruitcake also has high sugar content and since sugar is highly acidic, it blocks or weakens any invading bacteria.
Plus, fruitcakes are usually spiked with brandy or other spirits and alcohol is also highly acidic.
On top of this, Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, and driest place in the world, all of which slow down bacteria growth.
On January 17 they finally reached the pole only to find that a Norwegian party led by Roald Amundsen had beaten them there.
On the 1,000-mile return journey Evans died in mid-February.
The following month Oates, knowing his severe frostbite was holding his companions back, left his tent never to be seen again.
The remaining three men died of starvation and exposure in their tent on March 29, only 12 miles from a pre-arranged supply point.
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