This marks the first review done for Crazy Horse Jerky. The jerky was kindly submitted for review by Cara Wenrich, where this review will focus on a 2 ounce/56 gram bag of their original flavor.
Crazy Horse Jerky is manufactured and distributed by Crazy Horse Jerky LLC, located in Hellam, Pennsylvania, known as Pennsylvania Dutch Country. They started business in 2009, and are owned by Dave Wenrich, where his wife Cara and their children help run the business. This family recipe originated in the 19th century, and was passed down to each generation. While Dave Wenrich is a carpenter by trade, he actually built his own custom smokehouse.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Water, Worcestershire Sauce (Distilled White Vinegar, Molasses, Water, Sugar, Onions, Anchovies, Salt, Garlic, Cloves, Tamarind Extract, Natural Flavorings, Chili Pepper Extract), Soy Sauce (Water, Salt, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Corn Syrup, Caramel Color), Corn Syrup, Seasonings, Smoke. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Anchovies
The beef used here is partially grass fed, originating from both the USA and Canada. That qualifies this jerky to be free range. While not 100% substantiated at the time of this publication, it is believed that this beef was also ethically raised, meaning no growth hormones and no additional antibiotics are given.
The liquid marinade consists of water, a good Worcestershire sauce, a poor soy sauce, and corn syrup. Our preference would be that no corn based products be used in jerky.
There is no nutrition facts table provided. As a result, the exact sugar and salt levels are unknown.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, salt is the main preservative used.
This jerky does not qualify to be MSG free because the soy sauce uses the highly processed flavor enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein. Being hydrolyzed also means that it is an unhealthy type of trans fat.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
We have your traditional sized jerky strips here, cut three to five inches in size, and fairly narrow. These strips are cut fairly thick. The texture is dry, but just barely, which results in jerky that is easy to chew. There is a little bit of fat visible, which adds to the natural beef flavor. Handling this jerky does leave an oily residue on your fingers.
The first taste noticed is a smoked flavor. That is followed by a soy taste, and then the natural beef flavor starts to dominate. With an original flavor, the natural beef flavor is supposed to be the dominate flavor, and this jerky does not disappoint. This jerky is not sweet tasting, and the saltiness level is moderate. The best way to characterize this flavor is smoky, with a natural beef flavor. Some words that come to mind are tasty, juicy, and succulent.
You can order a 4 ounce/113 gram bag online for $8.49, which works out to $2.12 an ounce. That would rate as an average price. This jerky is recommended as well worth your money.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
We have an ordinary transparent plastic bag here. A label is affixed to the front, and nothing is on the back. There is no easy way of opening this bag, where you need a sharp object such as a knife or scissors.
On the label is the Crazy Horse Jerky logo, with what looks like a stallion on its hind legs. The four beef jerky flavors are displayed, where somebody takes a marker to circle the appropriate flavor. Then the jerky weight in ounces is manually written. While not printed on the bag, one of their slogans is “Crazy Good!”.
There are quite a few bag categories missing here. It should be noted that this is a vacuum sealed bag, the best way to keep jerky fresh. Missing bag categories are slogans, bar code, nutrition facts table, jerky weight stated in grams, ingredient list, allergen alerts, a best before date, an easy to open bag, a blurb about Crazy Horse Jerky, and no jerky maker address details.
The original flavored 8 ounce/225 gram bag listed below was part of the online purchase that I made in 2011, which cost $16.49.
Order their jerky online: www.crazyhorsejerky.com
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