This review will focus on a 8 ounce/227 gram bag of Cloverleaf Farms original beef jerky flavor. The jerky was graciously submitted by Angie Scheid, who is a co-owner of Cloverleaf Farms, along with her husband Peter, and her brother-in-law Danny, and family.
Cloverleaf Farms is a small family owned and operated business that started in 1984. One interesting fact is that they sell 2.5 tonnes of pepperettes every week. Their jerky brand name is also distributed under the same name, Cloverleaf Farms, based out of New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada. They also operate a space at St. Jacobs Farmers Market.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Lean Beef, Water, Sugar, Salt, Spices, Onion, Garlic, Sodium Nitrite, Natural Smoke.
The beef used is local, from West Grey Premium Beef in Durham, Ontario, Canada. While not 100% grass fed, the cattle do have some free range access to graze on grass.
The only liquid in this marinade is water. It is impressive that the very healthy onion and garlic are used. Spices are used, which are also generally very healthy.
Admirably, there is almost no sugar used in this jerky. The salt level is good at around 246mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
As for preservatives, the unhealthy sodium nitrite is used. In fairness with Cloverleaf Farms, their jerky is not always bagged, and can sit on a shelf exposed. As advertised, this jerky has no MSG added.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
The slices of jerky are rather large. One slice alone weighs 4.4 ounces/125 grams. These slices are cut borderline thick. The texture is just dry enough resulting in jerky that is relatively easy to chew. There are no signs of fat, and there is no residue left on your fingers while handling the jerky.
The first taste detected is the natural meat flavor. Then the onion and garlic tastes become more apparent, more so the onion flavor. The saltiness level remains at a moderate level. This jerky is barely sweet tasting. Occasionally, you get a small kick from black pepper. In the background, there is a light smoky flavor. Overall, this jerky seems to have a perfect balance of natural beef flavor and spices.
This jerky retails for $19.99 per pound, which works out to $1.25 per ounce. This 8 ounce/227 gram bag of jerky would have cost $10. At $1.25 an ounce that rates as a very cheap price. That is a bargain price, this jerky is well worth your money.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
We have a non-resealable, transparent bag that is vacuum sealed, the best way to preserve freshness. There is a label on the front, and nothing on the back. You need a sharp object such as scissors or a knife to open this bag.
There are a few minor bag categories missing. This label is fairly small, so in fairness there is no room to print a blurb about Cloverleaf Farms. The jerky weight is only stated in pounds. Kudos to Cloverleaf Farms for providing a phone number for customer inquiries.
The plain plastic bag listed at the bottom was the packaging used at St. Jacobs Farmers Market.
Check out their web site: www.cloverleaffarms.ca
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