The next review for People’s Choice Beef Jerky will be on a 2.5 ounce/71 gram bag of their sweet chili habanero flavored beef jerky. This is one of the newest flavors from their Tasting Kitchen line of beef jerky products. The bag was graciously submitted for review by Brian Bianchetti.
This People’s Choice Beef Jerky brand is distributed by Peoples Sausage Company, Inc., based out of Los Angeles, California. The company was founded in 1929 by John Bianchetti, and in 1955 his son Paul took over the company. Today, Mark Bianchetti owns the company, where Brian is part of a fourth generation of family involved now. To get a great idea of the passion and commitment they put into making jerky, watch their Made with Purpose video. They also did a wonderful write-up on how a teriyaki flavor should taste.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Seasoning (Sugar, Spices, Habanero Pepper, Garlic, Paprika), Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Water. Allergen Warnings: Soy,
Wheat
The beef is sourced from Nebraska Beef, where the marbling allows the beef to not be too fatty tasting. The cattle used is not guaranteed to be growth hormone free. Also, the cattle used is not guaranteed to have partial free range access to graze on grass. As a result, the highest ingredient rating achievable is a Good (8/10) rating.
The liquid marinade is comprised of a decent soy sauce, pineapple juice concentrate, and water. Pineapples contain an enzyme named bromelain, which is used in the food industry as a natural meat tenderizer.
Healthy paprika is used, which is actually a type of hot pepper. Garlic is another healthy ingredient used, which many consider to be in the superfood group.
There is no nutrition facts table provided. As a result, the exact sugar and salt levels are unknown. As for sugar, being a sweet based flavor, up to 5 grams per of sugar is permissible per 28 grams of jerky. Salt levels are ignored because minimally processed sea salt is used, which is high on minerals and trace minerals.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, the main preservative used is sea salt. Admirably, there is also no MSG added.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips of beef are medium to small in size, and are sliced to a mixture of thick and medium thickness. The texture is sort of dry, where chewing this jerky is at a reasonable level. There are some signs of fat visible, which accentuates the overall natural beef flavor. Handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
There is a mild pineapple, fruity flavor, without going overboard. It does not take long for a moderately strong sweetness to kick in, which lessens the natural beef flavor. Add in a mild level of soy flavor. The garlic level increases to a mild level as you eat more strips, and tastes great. There is a mild level of saltiness.
The habanero flavor delivers well, with an after burn that stays in your mouth. On a heat scale, it would rate at about a 3 out of 5. Overall, this jerky achieves the habanero status, but it is somewhat too sweet tasting.
This 2.5 ounce/71 gram bag sells online for $6.00. That works out to $2.40 an ounce, which rates as a slightly expensive price. This jerky is certainly recommend if you enjoy a strong Sweet & Spicy based flavor.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This is a standard sized clear plastic bag that is not resealable. There is a label affixed to the front, and nothing on the back.
Some facts printed on this bag are “Locally Made”, “Family Owned”, “Premium Beef Handcrafted in Downtown Los Angeles”, and “Small Batch Beef Jerky”.
Some bag categories missing are a nutrition facts table, and a blurb printed about the flavor/company. Normally, a bag containing over 2 ounces of jerky would be resealable.
Order their jerky online: www.peopleschoicebeefjerky.com
Leave a Comment