Note: For a more current taste review on a tweaked bag design, open up Sierra Madre Provision Co. – Sweet and Spicy Beef Jerky (Review #2).
The next review on Sierra Madre Provision Co. will on be on a 3.25 ounce/92 gram bag of their sweet and spicy flavor. This jerky was graciously submitted by the creator of this Sierra Madre Provision Co. jerky brand, James Schaft (a.k.a. – Jimmy the Jerky Man).
Sierra Madre Provision Co. is distributed and manufactured by Sierra Madre Provisions, located in Sierra Madre, California. They have been in business for over 30 years. In the thick cut, Sierra Madre Provision Co. have a total of 14 different flavors, and additional styles of jerky include thin slice, dried beef, and kippered. Every batch of jerky is handcrafted.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Brown Sugar, Teriyaki Sauce (Soy Sauce [Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt], Wine, Sugar, Vinegar, Salt, Spices, Onion Powder, Succinic Acid, Garlic, Sodium Benzoate), Seasoning (Salt, Spice, Garlic, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Potassium Sorbate), Garlic, Vinegar, Onion Powder, Liquid Smoke, Cure Mix (Salt, Sodium Nitrite). Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
The beef used here had free range access, meaning the cattle had access to graze on grass as part of their regular diet. This cattle is also ethically raised, in that the cows received no growth hormones or additional antibiotics.
The liquid marinade here consists of an average teriyaki sauce, vinegar, and liquid smoke, making this jerky smoked. Vinegar is healthy, and also acts as a meat tenderizer.
This jerky does use healthy ingredients such as spices, onion powder, and the super healthy vegetable garlic.
There is no nutrition facts table provided. As a result, the exact sugar and salt levels are unknown.
There are multiple preservatives used in this ingredient list, including salt. A little bit of sodium benzoate is in the teriyaki sauce, and the seasoning uses potassium sorbate. Then sodium nitrite is added on top of that.
This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added, because the highly processed flavor enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein is used. Being hydrolyzed means that it is also an unhealthy type of trans fat.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
This hand sliced jerky is advertised to be a thick style cut, and that it certainly is. The texture is dry, but not overly dry. There is some fat in these strips, which adds to the natural beef flavor. Handling this jerky leaves a small amount of oily residue on your fingers.
The first taste detected is the sweet taste from the sugar. As more strips are consumed, the sweetness level increases a bit too much. The spiciness is quite faint at first, and only builds to a light heat.
Apart from the sweet taste, the other dominating flavors are the soy, and the natural beef flavor. There is a faint garlic and onion taste in the background, where there is a very light tangy taste also. Overall, this sweet and spicy flavored jerky is tasty, and a pleasurable eating experience.
This 3.25 ounce/92 gram bag sells for $5.99. That equates to $1.84 an ounce, which rates as an average price. This jerky is recommended as worth your money, especially considering the beef used have free range access, and are ethically raised.
Bag Review
This is a fairly tall bag. The front is gold colored, and the back is silver colored with nothing on the back. There is a label affixed to the front, plus a separate sticker that states “Sweet N’ Spicy”. The scenic picture on this bag depicts mountains, including a few California palm trees.
While these slogans are not printed on the bag, here are some of the slogans that Sierra Madre Provision Co. uses: “We Do Jerky”, “Quality You Can Taste”, “Picturesque Little Town”, “Quality is our Watchword”, and “Truly a Cut Above”.
There are a few bag categories missing, such as slogans, a blurb about Sierra Madre Provision Co., and a nutrition facts table. Kudos to Sierra Madre Provision Co., where they provide a toll free phone number for customer inquiries.
The bag displayed at the bottom is a 3.25 ounce/92 gram bag of their sweet and spicy flavor. That bag was purchased in 2011 in San Clemente, California, at a convenience store for $5.99. The ingredient list has since changed, but not enough where any of the ratings would change.
Order their jerky online: www.sierramadreprovision.com
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