The next review on EPIC will be on a 3 ounce/84 gram bag of their Berry Blossom flavored organic beef jerky trail mix. There is a combination of jerky, berries, organic cacao nibs, and organic coconut chips. This bag was purchased at a TJ Maxx store in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The EPIC jerky brand name was created by Taylor Collins and Katie Forrest. This brand is distributed by Epic Provisions, located in Austin, Texas. Both Taylor and Katie are physically active, and were looking for foods to satisfy their needs. Then they started eating a paleo diet. Shortly afterwards, they set out to create the world’s first 100% grass fed meat, fruit, and nut bar. In January 2016, the very large company General Mills acquired Epic Provisions.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Jerky (Grass Fed Organic Beef, Wildflower Honey, Water, Salt, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Yeast Extract, Organic Black Pepper, Celery Powder, Organic Garlic Powder), Berry Blend (Almonds, Organic Mulberries, Organic Goji Berries, Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Coconut Chips.
It does not get any better than organic beef. For that matter, most of the ingredients used are organic.
The liquid marinade is comprised of wildflower honey, water, and very healthy organic apple cider vinegar. Honey offers multiple healthy benefits, but should be eaten in moderation given how sweet it is.
The berry blend is comprised of foods that you would often see on top 10 superfood lists such as almonds, organic mulberries, organic goji Berries, organic cacao nibs, and organic coconut chips.
The sugar level at first glance is somewhat high at 5 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. However, that is negated because it would be sugar from the berries. The salt level is quite good at 195mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, the main preservative used is sea salt, which is minimally processed, and high on minerals. With further kudos, there is also no MSG added.
Excellent (10/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips are small, cut to a bite size. Most pieces are uniform in size, with at least a medium thickness. They have a somewhat dry texture, which are relatively easy to chew. There are no signs of fat, and handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
The jerky itself tastes like an original flavor. With almost no sweetness, there is a good deal of rich natural beef flavor. Both the black pepper and garlic levels are light. For the most part, the jerky is somewhat nondescript tasting.
As for the berry blend, it not surprisingly tastes great. It’s an interesting mix of chewing nuts, berries, and beef at the same time. Cacao nibs is an unusual taste mixed in with beef jerky. Overall, a great snack.
This 3 ounce/84 gram bag cost $3.99, which works out to $1.33 an ounce. That rates as an cheap price. This jerky trail mix is certainly recommended for lovers of nuts, berries, and beef.
Bag Review
Note: the bag design has since changed.
This is an unusual bag. It has a cardboard cover, with the jerky and berry blend in separate compartments inside the plastic bag. The graphics are stylish, and there is more information printed inside the cardboard cover. In the background there is map of Barton Creek Greenbelt, Austin, Texas. It’s not a simple task opening the plastic bag.
Slogans printed on this bag are “A Different Animal”, “Hunter Gatherer”, and “Be Epic, Eat Epic”. Some facts printed on this bag are “12G Protein”, “Grain Free”, Handcrafted”, “Gluten Free”, and “Made With 100% Grass Fed Organic Beef”.
All bag categories are covered with this bag. As a growing industry trend, their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram handles are provided.
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