The next review for KRAVE Jerky will be on a 3.25 ounce/92 gram bag of their pineapple orange beef jerky flavor. This bag was graciously submitted for review by the KRAVE Jerky team.
The KRAVE Jerky brand name is distributed by Krave Pure Foods, Inc., located in Sonoma, California. In early 2015, the Hershey’s chocolate company acquired KRAVE Jerky. The company was envisioned by Jon Sebastian in 2009, while training for the NYC marathon. Today, KRAVE Jerky has an impressive distribution network in Canada and the USA. Their jerky is entirely gluten-free, and devoid of nitrites, MSG, and corn syrup.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Evaporated Cane Syrup, Low Sodium Gluten Free Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Alcohol), Water, Molasses, Mirin, Soybean Oil, Pineapple Juice, Orange Juice, Spices, Sea Salt, Pineapple Juice Powder, Orange Juice Powder, Celery Juice Powder. Allergen Warnings: Soy
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.
The liquid marinade consists of evaporated cane syrup, water, soy sauce, mirin, pineapple juice, and orange juice. Using mirin is an interesting choice, which is a popular cooking wine in Japanese cuisine. Juices are somewhat healthy, but overrated on how healthy they are.
The sugar level is on the higher side at 6 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. Preferably, the sugar level would not exceed 3 grams. In fairness, evaporated cane syrup is the primary sweetener used, which is one of the better sweeteners out there. The salt level is respectable at 250mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to be sodium nitrite free. Admirably, celery juice powder is the main preservative used, which has naturally occurring nitrates. With more kudos to KRAVE Jerky, this jerky has no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These are mostly large strips of jerky, sliced to a medium thickness. The texture is moderately dry, where chewing this jerky is relatively easy. There are no signs of fat, and handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
The first taste detected is a fruity type of flavor that never becomes overbearing. Then an orange taste becomes more distinct. There is a pineapple taste also, but the orange taste is a bit more dominant.
This flavor has a moderate sweetness, perhaps a little higher, and a bit too high for our personal preference. With the sweetness, the natural beef flavor is masked to a certain degree. The soy taste is mild, and the salt level is at a mild level also. Overall, this jerky does deliver with a pineapple and orange taste.
This 3.25 ounce/92 gram bag sells online for $7.00. That works out to $2.15 an ounce, which rates as an average price. This jerky is a good buy for people who enjoy pineapple and orange flavors, with a fair amount of sweetness.
Bag Review
This is a standard resealable plastic bag. Everything is imprinted directly on the bag itself, both on the front and back. There are no labels affixed. This a bright, eye catching bag design. There are many random images, and jerky sayings are in the yellow part of this bag.
The KRAVE Jerky logo is of a person running, where KRAVE Jerky has an affiliation to marathons. Slogans printed on this bag are “Live a Cut Above”, “Move. Eat. Live. KRAVE.”, and “ENJOY”. There are facts printed on this bag such as “Good Source of Protein”, “Product of USA”, “No Nitrites”, “Low Fat”, “No Artificial Ingredients”, and “Minimally Processed”.
All bag categories are covered here with this bag. There is a good blurb printed on the back of this bag describing KRAVE Jerky and their pineapple orange flavor.
Excellent (10/10) – Bag Rating
Order their jerky online: www.kravejerky.com
Leave a Comment