The next review for Smoky Mountain Trail Grub will be on a 1.5 ounce/42 gram bag of their teriyaki flavored python jerky. Their jerky is described as from an old fashioned smoky mountain smoke house in the valley of smoky’s. This bag was graciously submitted for review by the owner, Lawrence Wittmer.
This Smoky Mountain Trail Grub brand is distributed by Jerky Snack Shack. After retiring in 2008, Lawrence moved to Florida and noticed that there were no jerky makers at a local flea market. His jerky caught on, and in 2013 he moved to Northern Georgia. By 2015, the Smoky Mountain Trail Grub was launched in Helen, Georgia. It is only a few miles away from the Appalachian Trail, where their jerky is a big hit for the hikers. Recently, a new exotic jerky line was introduced, which includes alligator, alpaca, buffalo, elk, kangaroo, python, snapping turtle, venison, and wild boar.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Python, Teriyaki Sauce (Soy Sauce {Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt}, Water, Vinegar, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Ginger Powder), Water, Brown Sugar, Lemon Juice, Granulated Garlic, Spices, Sodium Nitrite. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
The python are farm raised, as opposed to caught in the wild. While not a great deal of data is available, python is generally considered to be healthy. Python offers protein, and is low in fat. The highest ingredient rating achievable is Very Good (9/10).
The liquid marinade is comprised of a good teriyaki sauce, water, and lemon juice. Lemons offer many health benefits, and is a natural meat tenderizer.
Some healthy ingredients used are granulated garlic and spices, which would include black pepper.
There is no nutrition facts table provided. As a result, the exact sugar and salt levels are unknown.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite used as a preservative. In fairness, only the Smoky Mountain Trail Grub exotic jerky lines use sodium nitrite, where sales are more unpredictable. Admirably, there is no MSG added.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips of jerky are small to medium in size, and sliced to a medium thickness. The texture is somewhat dry, a little tougher to chew compared to beef jerky, but breaks down fairly easily. There are no signs of fat, and handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
The taste of python does not really compare to any other meat, where it stands on its own. Perhaps you could say the python is mild and delicate tasting, without a gamey taste. The flavor is very consistent, and the more you chew, the more of this great taste is extracted.
As expected with a teriyaki flavor, there is a fair amount of sweetness present without going overboard. At a light level is the black pepper, and the garlic is faint tasting. Overall, a very pleasant and enjoyable flavor.
A 1.5 ounce/42 gram bag sells online for $14.99. That works out to $9.99 an ounce. While this rates as an expensive price, in terms of python, this is more of an average price. This teriyaki flavor is surely recommended if you would enjoy a sweet based python flavor.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This is a standard resealable plastic bag, with a label affixed on the front, and nothing on the back. The label depicts a picture of a wooden shack with a large python scaling the front. This bag is vacuum sealed, the best way to keep jerky fresh tasting.
The slogan on this bag is “The Hunter”. Some facts displayed on the bag are “No Nitrates”, “No MSG Added”, “High Protein”, “Low Fat”, “Old Fashion Recipe”, and “Made in the U.S.A.”.
Some bag categories are missing here, such as the jerky weight not stated in grams, no web site provided, a nutrition facts table, and no blurb printed about the jerky or flavor. Admirably, an email address is provided for customer inquiries.
Order their jerky online: www.jerkysnackshack.net
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