The next review for Tahoe Tony’s Jammin’ Jerky will be on a 2 ounce/56 gram bag of their pepper flavored 100% grass-fed beef jerky. This flavor is advertised as a smoky cracked black pepper flavor with a “zing” that is also gluten, salt, and sugar free. The bag was kindly submitted for review by the owner and CFO Brooke Luckey, who is married to the founder Tony Pearl.
This Tahoe Tony’s Jammin’ Jerky brand is distributed under the name of Tahoe Tony’s, and is located in Minden, Nevada. The Tahoe Tony’s Jammin’ Jerky brand name was launched in 2012. Tony loves to cook, and considers himself a food porn star. Each strip of jerky is hand sliced by Tony himself. You can also watch the jerky being prepared live on their gallery page. For those interested, they take orders for game meats, all of it USDA and FDA certified.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Water, Coarse Ground Black Pepper, Smoke Flavor (Water, Natural Hickory Smoke Flavor), Whole Black Peppercorns, Garlic Powder, coffee, Citric Acid (Preservative), sprayed with Potassium Sorbate to retard mold growth, Soy Lecithin. Allergen Warnings: Soy
This dry aged beef is sourced from the highly respected company Bently Ranch. Cattle have complete free range access to graze on grass, and roam about. They are ethically raised, being 100% certified hormone free beef. Being in a natural habitat, the cattle are 100% grass-fed.
The liquid marinade is comprised of just water and liquid hickory smoke.
Some people refer to black pepper as the king of spices. Interestingly, coffee is used, which offers some health benefits if eaten in moderation.
The sugar level is perfect with none used at all. This salt level is as low as it gets, with only 25mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. The only salt content is the residual salt found in the beef.
While potassium sorbate is a listed ingredient, it is only there because the USDA requires to spray the jerky, as per their rules and regulations. As a result, this jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite added, or any other similar preservatives. Instead, citric acid is the primary preservative used. Admirably, this flavor does qualify to have no MSG added.
Excellent (10/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These hand sliced jerky strips are medium in size, and are sliced medium to thick. The texture almost qualifies to have a soft and tender texture, which results in jerky strips that are fairly easy to chew. There are some visible signs of fat, which add to the overall natural beef flavor. Handling this jerky does leave some oily residue on your fingers.
The first taste detected is a mild smokiness. It does not take long for the peppered flavor to become apparent. While not entirely consistent from strip to strip, it has a mild peppered flavor. Also at a mild level is the coffee, which works surprisingly well with this flavor.
As advertised, there is no sweetness or saltiness. More than anything, there is a great deal of natural beef flavor. It reminds you of eating a peppered steak. Overall, this is an addictive snack that leaves you wanting more.
This 2 ounce/56 gram bag sells for $5.00. That works out to $2.50 an ounce, which rates as a slightly expensive price. In terms of 100% grass-fed beef, it is more of an average to cheap price. This flavor achieves the trifecta of being highly recommended from taste, price, and ingredient perspectives.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This is no doubt an interesting bag design. The bag has everything imprinted directly on the bag itself, including the front and back, with no labels affixed. The logo is cool, which is a drawing of Tony.
Surprisingly, the slogan “May the jerk be with you” is not printed on the bag. Some facts printed on this bag are “Made With Bently Ranch Meats”, “Product of USA”, and “15g of Protein per Serving”.
All bag categories are covered here except there is no best before date printed. A batch number is printed, which could translate to a best before date. There are great blurbs printed about this flavor, and Tahoe Tony’s Jammin’ Jerky. A satisfaction guaranteed policy is offered. In a growing industry trend, a QR Code is displayed. To the credit of Tahoe Tony’s Jammin’ Jerky, a toll free number is provided for customer inquiries.
Order their jerky online: www.tahoetonys.com
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