Note: For a more current taste review on a tweaked ingredient list, open up Smokehouse Jerky Co. – Haunting Heat Beef Jerky (Recipe #2).
The next review on Smokehouse Jerky Co. will focus on a 3 ounce/84 gram bag of their Haunting Heat flavor, which uses the insanely hot ghost peppers. This jerky was graciously submitted for review by the owner, Trent Levinson, from Tender Heifer Snack Co.
This jerky is manufactured and distributed by Tender Heifer Snack Co., and based out of Beaumont, California. The Smokehouse Jerky Co. brand name was launched in 2008. All of their beef jerky is made using the brisket cut of beef. Tender Heifer Snack Co. strongly believes that brisket is the best cut of beef to use because it absorbs the marinade best. All of their jerky is made in small batches to ensure freshness. Tender Heifer Snack Co. are always looking for new distributors across the United States, and they offer private label services
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Teriyaki Sauce (Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Wine, Sugar, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Onion Powder, Spice Extractives, Succinic Acid, Garlic Powder), Honey, Brown Sugar, Worcestershire Sauce (Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce Base (Distilled Vinegar, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, Caramel Color, Garlic Powder, Sugar, Spices, Tamarind, Natural Flavor, Sulfiting Agent), Salt, Citric Acid), Granulated Garlic, Lemon Juice, Pineapple Juice, Ground Black Pepper, Ghost Pepper Powder, Ginger, Salt, Cayenne Powder, Ground Red Pepper. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
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 a busy liquid marinade here with a decent teriyaki sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. The Worcestershire sauce, it is not so healthy. Primarily because the cheap, highly processed sweetener high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is used. Unprocessed honey offers many medical benefits.
Super healthy garlic and ginger are used. There are also healthy spices added such as black pepper, ghost pepper powder, cayenne powder, and red pepper. Hot peppers are healthy if eaten in moderation.
The sugar level is somewhat high at 5 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar or less. The salt level is quite respectable at only 190mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
As advertised, there are no unhealthy preservatives used, where this jerky is confirmed as having no sodium nitrite. Also as advertised, admirably, this jerky has no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
The strips of jerky are medium to small in size, and sliced to a medium thickness. This dry texture is very appealing, where the brisket cut of meat is relatively easy to chew. There are no visible signs of fat, and handling this jerky leaves no residue on your fingers.
The first taste detected is tanginess from the pineapple juice and lemon juice. There is a mild soy taste, and a good level of sweetness. This jerky is only lightly salty, and there is a faint peppery taste occasionally.
Being a Haunting Heat flavor that uses ghost peppers, it does not take long before the heat kicks in. That heat builds as you eat more strips. On a scale of one to five, the heat level is about a four. The spiciness from the ghost peppers is a great contrast to other flavors.
This 3 ounce/84 gram bag of jerky sells online for $6.00. That works out to $2.00 an ounce, which rates as an average price. We wholeheartedly recommend this jerky as worth your money.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This is a standard resealable plastic bag, with a label affixed on the front, and nothing on the back. The label has a fairly detailed picture that looks like a wooden shack with a “Jerky Co.” sign, and trees in a dark background. On the front there is a blue colored hot pepper with an evil looking laugh, while you endure the spiciness from the ghost peppers.
Facts printed on this bags are “Old Fashion Recipe”, “No Added MSG”, “No Added Preservatives”, “Made in U.S.A.”, “Old Fashion”, “Natural Smoke Flavoring Added”, and “Brisket”.
All bag categories are covered. There is no blurb printed about Smokehouse Jerky Co. or Tender Heifer Snack Co., but there is no available space.
Order their jerky online: www.tenderheifersnackco.com
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