Back in 2012 I made an online purchase for this 1.8 ounce/50 gram bag of curry flavored beef jerky.
This Mountain Man brand of jerky is made and distributed by Robert Lahue, based out of Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada. The jerky is advertised to be preservative, nitrate, gluten and MSG free. Robert Lahue sells his jerky at a local farmers market and other locations.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef Slices, Curry, Water, Pineapple Juice, Brown Sugar, Liquid Hickory Smoke, Garlic Juice, Sherry, Onion Juice, Vinegar, Salt, Spices
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.
We have an interesting liquid marinade consisting of water, pineapple juice, liquid hickory smoke, garlic juice, sherry, onion juice, and vinegar. Pineapple juice is a great addition to jerky, for both taste, and the fact that pineapple has a natural enzyme named bromelain that tenderizes meat.
Being a curry flavored beef jerky, it is great to see that curry is listed second on the ingredient list by weight, after beef. Curry is a wonderfully healthy medley of spices, which can include coriander, cumin, turmeric, ginger, cloves and others. Other healthy spices are listed on the ingredient list but not revealed, which is fair game.
The sugar level is extremely high at about 11 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar or under. The salt level is also extremely high at around 574mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 250mg of salt or under.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, salt is the main preservative, and vinegar to a lesser degree. As advertised, this jerky also qualifies to have no MSG added.
Alright (6/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These jerky strips are small to medium in size, with a medium thickness. The texture is dry, but not too dry, which results in jerky that is reasonably easy to chew. There are some visible signs of fat, but not much. Handling this jerky does leave a little oily residue on your fingers.
This flavor tasted so good, it inspired me to make my own batch of curry jerky that came nowhere close to being as good as this Mountain Man jerky. There was a very strong level of curry. Also noticeable was the garlic and onion tastes. There was a moderate pineapple flavor, and a smoked flavor in the background.
I paid $5.00 for this 1.8 ounce/50 gram bag of jerky. That works out to $2.78 an ounce, which would rate as an expensive price. Apart from the high salt and sugar levels, this jerky was well worth trying.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This is a unique bag in several respects. It is quite unusual to see a bag with everything printed lengthwise instead of heightwise. Even the hole for hooks is oriented to hang the jerky lengthwise. The label affixed to the plastic bag almost covers the entire surface. That big label on the front forces you to open the bag from the back. There is no easy, simple way to open this bag, where you need a sharp object.
Their slogan is “The Best in the West”. Some facts printed on this bag are “No Preservatives”, “No Nitrates”, “No Gluten”, and “No MSG”. Complying to Canadian law, there are French translations.
One interesting fact is stated on this 50 gram bag which is worth repeating: “ DID YOU KNOW: It takes 1/2 pound of fresh meat to make this pack”
Most bag categories are covered here. There is no best before date, but there is a prominent batch number. Robert Lahue’s name, phone number and email address is on the label.
Check out their web site: www.mountainmanbeefjerky.com
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