The next review on Shroom Snack will be on a 2.5 ounce/70.8 gram bag of their Sweet Chili flavored organic oyster mushroom jerky. This flavor is advertised as exotic mushrooms paired with unique flavors to create a stimulating umami. The bag was graciously submitted by one of the co-owners, Wyatt Bryson.
Jewels of the Forest Farm is the distributor for this Shroom Snack jerky brand name, and they are located in Occidental, California. In 2012, Wyatt and his brother Hunter introduced Jewels of the Forest Farm. Mycolab Solutions is the parent company, offering free educational videos on YouTube about mushroom cultivation. These teams work together to produce mushroom goods, while promoting mycology (scientific study of fungi) research. Mycolab Solutions follows their founding principles of health, sustainability, and social welfare. Shroom Snack premium organic oyster mushroom line was officially introduced in February 2017. This jerky is advertised to be Non-GMO.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Organic Oyster Mushroom (Air Dried), Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Soy Sauce (Gluten Free, Reduced Sodium), Red Pepper Flakes, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper Allergen Warnings: Soy.
These organic oyster mushrooms are a good source of protein, fiber, and are cholesterol free. They contain vitamin D, and are high on the minerals iron and selenium.
The only liquid marinade used is a high quality organic soy sauce, which is gluten free, and low in sodium.
Healthy spices used are garlic powder and black pepper. The heat comes from red pepper flakes, which are healthy if eaten in moderation.
The sugar level is quite high at 11 grams of sugar per 35 grams of jerky. At least the sweetener used is organic cane sugar. Mushrooms contain small amounts of healthy natural sugars. The salt level is acceptable at 350mg 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 salt. Admirably, there is no MSG added.
Very Good (9/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips of jerky are small in size, and generally sliced thin. The texture is somewhat dry, and relatively easy to chew. Handling these jerky strips leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
The first tastes detected are a good combination of sweetness and saltiness. These flavors are quickly followed by the chili, tamari soy sauce, and the garlic, along with a light peppered flavor. It is a well-balanced flavor, where no single flavor is overpowering.
The mushroom flavor itself is somewhat strong tasting, and it would be imperative to enjoy oyster mushrooms in order to fully appreciate this flavor. As for the heat level, on a heat scale it would rate about a 2 out of 4, or a 2 out of 5. Overall, this jerky is quite flavorful, and a great alternative to traditional meat based jerky.
A 2.25 ounce/64 gram bag sells online for $7.99. That works out to $3.55 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price, at least compared to beef jerky. This flavor is certainly recommended if you enjoy oyster mushrooms along with mild levels of sweetness and spiciness.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This clear, non-resealable plastic bag has a label affixed to both the front and back. Their logo is a mushroom displayed, including the mycelium, with a forest in the background. The bag listed at the bottom is their latest bag design for the back.
Their slogans are “Jewels of the Forest” and “Saving the World One Mushroom at a Time!”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Exotic Mushrooms paired with unique flavors to create a stimulating umami”, “Good Source of Fiber”, “Gluten Free”, “Certified Vegan”, “Non GMO”, and “All Natural”.
The only missing bag category is a best before date. Displayed are social media sites Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Order their jerky online: www.shroomjerky.com www.mycolabsolutions.com
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