The next review on Steve’s PaleoGoods Jerky will be on a 1.4 ounce/39 gram bag of their buffalo style flavored chicken jerky. This jerky was kindly submitted by the Steve’s PaleoGoods team.
The Steve’s PaleoGoods Jerky brand name is distributed by Steve’s PaleoGoods, based out of Pennsauken, New Jersey. Steve Liberati, aka Head Caveman, started Steve’s Club in 2007. By 2009, it became Steve’s Club National Program, an organization dedicated to helping at-risk youth. Their focus is on nutrition and fitness, focusing on highly intensive crossfitting. 15% of all Steve’s PaleoGoods proceeds goes directly to support the worthy cause of Steve’s Club National Program.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Chicken Breast, Sea Salt, Apple Juice Concentrate, Paprika, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Beet Powder, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Ascorbic Acid).
The chickens used are from Red Bird Farms outside of Denver, Colorado. The chickens are ethically raised, and have free range to roam about.
The liquid marinade consists of apple juice concentrate and pineapple juice concentrate. Apples are very high in a fiber known as pectin, which technically is a polysaccharide that is believed to offer many different health benefits. Pineapples contain a natural enzyme named bromelain, which is widely used in the food industry as a natural meat tenderizer.
The most interesting ingredient used is beet powder, where the vegetable beets are loaded with antioxidants. Healthy spices such as paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder are used.
Admirably, there is no sugar used. The salt level is reasonable at approximately 326mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
As for preservatives, true to their word, this jerky has no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, sea salt is used, which are high in minerals. Another healthy preservative choice is ascorbic acid, which is a type of Vitamin C. With further kudos to Steve’s PaleoGoods Jerky, this jerky does qualify to have no MSG added.
Very Good (9/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips are small in size, and mostly sliced thick. The texture is dry, but not overly dry. This jerky is relatively easy to chew. There are no visible signs of fat, and handling this jerky leaves a considerable oily residue on your fingers.
The first taste detected is a moderate tartness from the apple juice concentrate and pineapple juice concentrate. There is a faint peppery taste, and a light garlic taste. The natural chicken flavor is evident. One of the more dominating tastes is the paprika.
A buffalo style flavor generally is mildly spicy. Using tasty cayenne pepper, this flavor does have a mild spiciness. Overall, while maybe not for everybody, this jerky does have an interesting mix of flavors that are juicy and tasty.
A 1.4 ounce/39 gram bag sells online for $4.95. In assigning a price rating, we will use their 2.8 ounce/79 gram bag, which sells for $6.95. That equates to $2.48 an ounce, which rates as a moderately expensive price. Just for the sole reason that 15% of all proceeds goes directly to supporting the worthy cause at Steve’s Club National Program, which makes this jerky worth your money.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
The plastic bag used is somewhat uncommon. There is a label affixed on the front, but on the back, the label seems infused inside the plastic. The best feature of this jerky bag is that it is vacuum sealed, the absolute best way to keep jerky fresh, where oxygen is the enemy of jerky.
On the back of the bag, there is a great write up of Steve’s Club. Sticking with the paleo theme, the Steve’s PaleoGoods logo depicts a man walking, with what looks like a walking stick. The only fact stated on this bag is “15% of your purchase supports Steve’s Club National Program”.
All major bag categories are covered with this bag. There are no fancy graphics or slogans, but this bag does its job effectively being vacuum sealed.
Order their jerky products online: www.stevespaleogoods.com
For more information on Steve’s Club: www.stevesclub.org
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