The first review for Derf Jerky will be on a 2.1 ounce/60 gram bag of their Cola Poivre (Pepper Cola) flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as for those fond of a truly original peppery perfume! The jerky was kindly submitted for review by one of the owners, Fred Le Tourneux-Gagnon. Cleverly, Derf is Fred’s name spelled backwards.
This Derf Jerky brand name, known as Derf Jerky Charqui Québecois in French, is located in Laval, Quebec, and is distributed under the same name of Derf Jerky. After doing a road trip in the Southwestern USA, Fred got introduced to a bunch of different jerky brands. Fred stated making his own homemade jerky, and soon people were starting to make orders for his jerky. In October 2016, along with Fred’s father, mother, and brother, the Derf Jerky brand name was officially launched. Their mission is bringing jerky to Quebec, where jerky is not really popular. Currently, they also sell Fumée Framboise (Smoke Raspberry) and Abeille Dijon (Honey Dijon) beef jerky flavors.
Ingredient Review
Ingrédients: Boeuf, cola (sucre, acide phosphorique, colorant, caféine), poivron rouge, sauce soya (blé, fève de soja, sel, benzoate de sodium), sirop d’érable , moustard (sel, sulfites), épices. Avertissement Allergène: Soya, Blé
Ingredients: Beef, Cola (Sugar, Phosphoric Acid, Coloring, Caffeine), Red Pepper, Soy Sauce (Wheat, Soybeans, Salt, Sodium Benzoate), Maple Syrup, Mustard (Salt, Sulphites), Spices. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to graze on grass. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Good (8/10) rating.
The liquid marinade is comprised of unhealthy cola, a decent soy sauce, and healthy maple syrup. Phosphoric acid used in the cola gives soft drinks a tangy flavor. It can be naturally occurring, and should be ingested minimally. Unfortunately, artificial colouring is used in the cola.
Some healthy ingredients have been added such as red pepper, mustard, and spices.
The sugar level is surprisingly low at just 1 gram of sugar per 30 grams of jerky. The salt level is respectable at 289mg of salt per 30 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. Commendably, there is no MSG added.
Alright (6/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
While not consistent, these strips of jerky are small in size, and sliced to a medium thickness. The texture is somewhat dry, and it requires some effort to chew. There are some visible signs of fat that accentuates the natural beef flavor. Handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
An authentic tasting cola flavor is detected first. Soon a good level of black pepper starts to take notice. As you consume more strips, the black pepper flavor delivers.
With not much sweetness present, there is a good level of natural beef flavor. At mild levels are garlic and saltiness. Mixed in is a light level of soy. Overall, this truly is an original tasting flavor, which does come across as a peppery perfume.
A 2.1 ounce/60 gram bag sells online for $7.50. That works out to $3.57 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price. If you enjoy the taste of cola and black pepper, you cannot go wrong here.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This non-resealable bag has a label affixed to the both the front and back. Not everything printed on this bag have English translations. This bag is vacuum sealed, the best way to keep jerky fresh tasting. The logo is based from a tattoo on Fred’s forearm, modified by adding a cow’s skull in the middle.
A slogan printed on this bag is “Charqui Québécois (Quebec Jerky)”. There are no facts printed on this bag.
Another missing bag category is that no allergen alerts are provided. There is a good blurb printed on the bag about this jerky. Facebook and Instagram accounts are indicated.
Order their jerky online: www.derfjerky.com
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