The next review on Itsumo will focus on a 2.2 ounce/62 gram bag of their steak flavored ahi tuna jerky. Itsumo is a Japanese word that translates to always, where they are always trying to improve. This steak flavor is advertised to be Paleo freiendly. The bag was graciously submitted for review by the Itsumo Foods team.
Itsumo is distributed by DML Venture, Inc., and are based out of Miami, Florida. The owner, David Leibowitz, has been living in the Tuna capital of the world, Tokyo, Japan for over 18 years. During that time, David has learned to create high quality, grade AAA #1 Japanese Sashimi Grade Ahi Tuna products. Itsumo is a world leader in Sashimi Ahi production with 15 tons processed daily. All of their products use hand line caught tuna from the Philippines, and they combine that with all natural ingredients. This tuna jerky product line was officially launched in 2015.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus Albacares), Water, Tomato Paste, Salt, Garlic Powder, Spice, Contains 2% or Less of Onion Powder, Natural Flavor. Allergen Warnings: Fish (Yellowfin Tuna), Made in a facility that processes soy.
As provided on the Itsumo blog, this video details 20 amazing health benefits of tuna. To see why Itsumo ahi tuna is a step above their competitors, watch the informative video of David explaining all things tuna, where his passion certainly comes across well. It is reported that David is one of the only foreigners to be accepted in Tsukiji, Japan’s largest fish market.
The liquid marinade used here is just water and healthy tomato paste. Tomatoes contain a carotene and carotenoid pigment that gives tomatoes their red color, and offers many health benefits.
Healthy spices are used, in addition to onion powder and garlic powder.
The sugar level is very respectable at only 1 gram of sugar per 30 grams of jerky. The salt level is respectable at 303mg of salt per 30 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, rock salt is the main preservative used, with its healthy minerals and trace minerals. Commendably, this jerky qualifies to have no MSG added.
Excellent (10/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These jerky strips are small to medium in size, and are sliced to a medium thickness. The texture is dry, but still relatively easy to chew. There are no signs of fat, and handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
The first flavor detected is a mild level of salt. Soon the fishy taste of tuna takes notice. While not overly fishy tasting, you will need to enjoy the taste of tuna to truly appreciate this flavor.
As you consume more strips, the tomato flavor becomes more apparent. Light levels of garlic, black pepper, and onion compliment the flavor nicely. This flavor grows on you, where it gradually becomes more and more addictive. Overall, a surprisingly tasty flavor that does not disappoint.
A 2.2 ounce/62 gram bag sells online for $8.99. That works out to $4.08 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price. The price is cheaper if you buy a 3 or 6 pack. This flavor is surely recommended to all of the tuna and paleo lovers out there.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has everything imprinted on the bag itself, both on the front and back. Their logo is an upside down black triangle with a tuna fish in the middle.
Their slogans are “The Best Snack!”, “Always The Highest Quality, Naturally” and “Welcome to the best tuna on earth!”.
There are many facts printed on this bag such as “Gluten Free”, “Minimally Processed”, “Artsisan Fishing”, “Fish Fresh”, “Wild Caught”, “Made With All Natural Ingredients”, “Free of Preservatives”, “Free of Added MSG”, “High Protein”, “Fresh-Caught Made Into Jerky”, “See Nutrition Information For Sodium Content”, “Complies with a Paleo Diet”, “No Nitrates”, “Low Fat”, “Hand Caught Artisan Fishery”, “Product of Phillipines”, and “Made from Sashima raw material, Hand Crafted”.
The majority of bag categories are covered here. Missing is a transparent window to view the actual jerky and distributor address details. A small blurb is printed about Itsumo’s mission.
Order their jerky online: www.itsumofoods.com
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