This is an unplanned, impromptu review. While visiting Blue Mountain in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada, a bar/restaurant named Jozo’s Original Après at the Blue Mountain Inn sells beef jerky on their menu. Their review will be on 2.7 ounces/77 grams of Jozo’s Original Après original flavored beef jerky.
Blue Mountain is a popular ski resort, which has the biggest ski hills in Ontario. In the summer months, Blue Mountain Village has many shops and rides to keep you occupied. Jozo’s Original Après bar has long been a popular destination for drinks and food after (après in French) a day of skiing. Their beef jerky was only introduced in the winter of 2014. The jerky is smoked in a smoker using maple wood chips. Then the jerky is further baked, which results in a soft and tender texture.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Flank Steak, Local Thornbury Honey, Soy Sauce, Salt, Spices. Allergen Warnings: Soy
The flank steak 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 soy sauce and local thornbury honey. Using local honey is always preferred over big brand honey, which is so devoid of pollen, you can barely call it honey anymore. Local honey is almost always far less refined, and as a result, a healthier alternative.
The exact salt and sugar levels are not available. Based on the taste, this jerky is not sweet tasting at all. The salt level does appear to be on the high side though based on the taste alone.
This jerky qualifies to be sodium nitrite free, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, just plain old salt is the main preservative. Admirably, this jerky also qualifies to have no MSG added.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips are all the same length. The thickness is medium, to borderline thick. This jerky qualifies to have a soft and tender texture. Chewing is relatively easy, but would be easier if the strips were not so thick. There are signs of fat, which adds a fair amount of good flavor. Handling this jerky does leave some oily residue on your fingers.
The first taste detected is saltiness, which is at a fairly high level. There is an overall good blend of tastes in the background. With an absence of a sweet taste, the natural beef flavor is at a good level.
The soy taste is at about a mild level. There seems to be that familiar great onion and garlic taste combination at a mild level. However, the salt level drowns out the other flavors too much.
This 2.7 ounce/77 grams bag cost $4.00, which works out to $1.47 an ounce. That works out to a surprisingly cheap price. Considering the low price, and that a decent ingredient list is used, we recommend this jerky as worth your money. Keep in mind though it is salty tasting.
Bag Review
At this time their jerky is not available in bags. The jerky is served in a jar. No, you are not allowed to keep the jar. Instead, Jozo’s Original Après put the jerky in saran wrap to go. Our suggestion for them is to offer customers the choice of using resealable plastic bags that are sealed, even without a label.
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