Alien Fresh Jerky – Peppered Beef Jerky

The next review on Alien Fresh Jerky will focus on a 4 ounce/113.4 gram bag of their peppered flavored beef jerky. This bag was purchased at the actual Alien Fresh Jerky store located in Baker, California, just off the I-15 interstate.

The Alien Fresh Jerky brand name is distributed by The Ramallos Inc., located in Baker, California. This brand was launched in 2004 by the founder Luis Ramallo, his wife Susana Ramallo, and his eldest son Martin Ramallo. Today, they are located in a 4800 square foot building. Baker, California is known as the unofficial halfway driving point between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The Alien Fresh Jerky store is just off the highway, and worth a visit, with an alien sitting on a chair in the sky.

Ingredient Review

Ingredients: Beef, Sugar, Water, Pineapple Juice, Vinegar, Soy Sauce (Wheat, Soybeans, Salt, Sodium Benzoate), Salt, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, Liquid Smoke, Sodium Nitrite.    Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat

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 is comprised of water, an average soy sauce, decent pineapple juice, healthy vinegar, and liquid smoke. Pineapples contain an enzyme named papain, which is used in the food industry as a natural meat tenderizer.

The sugar level is quite respectable at only 1 gram of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. Although that claim seems suspect, with sugar listed as the second heaviest ingredient. The salt level is high at 410mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less.

This jerky uses unhealthy sodium nitrite as the main preservative, apart from salt. This jerky does qualify to have no MSG added.

Alright (6/10) – Ingredient Rating

Taste Review

These are mostly large sliced strips of jerky that are sliced to a medium thickness. The texture is somewhat dry, which results in jerky that is reasonably easy to chew. There are little signs of fat, and there is no oily residue left on your fingers while handling these jerky strips.

The first flavor detected is a mild peppered level. Unfortunately, much of the black pepper fell off the strips. There is a light tang from the pineapple and vinegar. A mild level of soy works well, and this flavor is mildly salty.

There is very little sweetness, and a fair amount of natural beef flavor present. A mild garlic level is always welcome. Overall, an enjoyable peppered flavor.

This 4 ounce/113.4 gram bag of jerky was purchased for $9.00. That works out to $2.25 an ounce, which rates as an average price. This jerky is recommended as worth your money.

Good (8/10) – Taste Rating

Bag Review

Even for 4 ounces, this is a fairly large bag. There is a label affixed to the gold colored front, and nothing on the back. It’s an interesting logo, with an alien on a horse dressed as a cowboy doing some cow herding.

Their slogan is “The Best Jerky In The Universe”. The only fact printed on this bag is “Premium”.

The majority of bag categories are covered. Missing is a blurb written about the flavor and jerky, but there is no room. To the credit of Alien Fresh Jerky, they provide a toll free phone number for customer inquiries.

The bag listed at the bottom was purchased in Las Vegas, Nevada, back in 2012 for $5.99. The ingredient list has since been changed for the better, and the label has improved.

Decent (7/10) – Bag Rating