Update December 2014: For a live taste review, open up Jack Link’s Cholula Hot Sauce (Review #2).
This review will focus on a 3.25 ounce/92 gram bag of their Cholula Hot Sauce flavored beef jerky. This bag was purchased at a convenience store in San Diego, California, back in 2011.
This jerky is made and distributed by Link Snacks, Inc. based out of Minong, Wisconsin. It all started in the 1880’s when Jack Link’s great-grandfather, Chris, settled in Minong, Wisconsin. From generation to generation, they kept on making their legendary sausages and smoked meats. Today Jack Link’s is the fastest growing meat snack manufacturer in the world. and sells more than 100 different meat snack products in more than 40 countries. Quite an impressive feat.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Cholula Hot Sauce [Water, Peppers (Arbol and Piquin), Salt, Vinegar, Spices, Xanthan Gum], Water, Sugar, Less Than 2% Salt, Maltodextrin, Sodium Phosphates, Flavoring, Monosodium Glutamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Erythorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Nitrite
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to graze on grass. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Good (8/10) rating.
The liquid marinade consists of just the Cholula hot sauce and water. As far as sauces go, this is a healthier hot sauce than most other commercially sold hot sauces. Hot peppers such as arbol and piquin can be healthy if eaten in moderation.
The sugar level is very respectable at only 2 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. On the other hand, the salt level is extremely high at 680mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. The preference is 350mg of salt or less.
As for preservatives, there are plenty used. We have four sodium based preservatives such as sodium hydroxide, sodium phosphates, sodium nitrite, and sodium erythorbate, none of which are healthy. Citric acid to a lesser degree acts as a preservative, and can be relatively healthy if manufactured properly. This flavor uses the controversial flavor enhancer MSG.
Bad (3/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
Update December 2014: For a live taste review, open up Jack Link’s Cholula Hot Sauce (Review #2).
As with all of their jerky, the texture is about perfect, not being too dry or soft. The thickness of slices are medium.
I would not say this jerky is overly hot, but there certainly is some heat. Overall, the taste is good, somewhat addictive actually.
I paid $5.99 for this 3.25 ounce/92 gram bag of jerky, which works out to $1.84 an ounce. That translates to an average price. Given the unhealthy ingredients used, this jerky is not worth your money.
Bag Review
At first glance this is a very professional designed bag. Everything is imprinted on the bag itself, both on the front and back. On the front and back, they have a very high resolution pictures showing bottles of Cholula Hot Sauce.
Their famous trademarked slogan “Feed Your Wild Side” is prominent, and also trademarked “The Flavorful Fire” for this Cholula Hot Sauce flavor. There are some facts printed on this bag such as “Premium Cuts”, “New!”, “97% Fat Free”, and “10g Protein”.
Every single bag category is covered here. There is a decent blurb written on the back about this Cholula Hot Sauce flavor. Admirably, a satisfaction guaranteed policy is offered. To their credit, a phone number is also provided for customer inquiries.
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