Note: For a more current taste review on a tweaked bag design and ingredient list, open up Smokehouse Jerky Co. – Tropic Fusion Beef Jerky (Recipe #1).
The next review on Smokehouse Jerky Co. will focus on a 3 ounce/84 gram bag of their Tropic Fusion flavored beef jerky. This flavor is advertised to use pineapple, mango, and a citrus flavor with a sweet teriyaki taste. This jerky was kindly 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. Many people believe that brisket is the best cut of beef to absorb a marinade. All of their jerky is made in small batches. Tender Heifer Snack Co. are always looking for new distributors across the United States, and offer private label services.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Teriyaki Sauce (Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Wine, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Spices, Onion Powder, Succinic Acid, Garlic Powder, Sodium Benzoate), Pineapple Juice, 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), Lemon Juice, Brown Sugar, Granulated Garlic, Ground Pepper, Ginger, Mango. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
This brisket cut of beef used is from cattle raised in California. 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 teriyaki sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. It is disappointing to see that the teriyaki sauce and Worcestershire sauce both use the highly processed sweetener high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
Healthy vegetables such as garlic and ginger are used. Mango and pineapples also offer many health benefits.
The sugar level is respectable at 3 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is very low at only 65mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky, which is good.
As advertised, there are no unhealthy preservatives used, where this jerky is confirmed as having no sodium nitrite. Admirably, this jerky has no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips are fairly long, and generally narrow in size. They are sliced to a medium thickness. There is a great dry texture, where the brisket cut of beef is easy to chew. There are no visible signs of fat, and handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
The first taste detected is a moderate pineapple flavor. There is a mango flavor also, but only at a light level. This flavor does sort of take on a teriyaki profile with the soy and Worcestershire sauce combination.
While there is a moderate sweetness, there is still some natural beef flavor. Both the peppered and garlic tastes are at a light level. Overall, this flavor tastes as advertised, and is an enjoyable blend of fruit flavors.
This 3 ounce/84 gram bag of jerky sells online for $8.00. That works out to $2.67 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price. This jerky is recommended as worth your money for people who enjoy a fruit based flavor along with a teriyaki taste.
Very Good (9/10) – 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 the background is tropical looking with water, a coconut tree, and a beach.
Some facts printed on this bags are “Old Fashion Recipe”, “No Added MSG”, “No Added Preservatives”, “Made in U.S.A.”, “Old Fashion”, “Pineapple & Mango”, 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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