The next review on Smokehouse Jerky Co. will focus on a 3 ounce/84 gram bag of their boysenberry flavored beef brisket jerky. This jerky was kindly submitted for review by one of the owners, Franco Fonseca.
This jerky is manufactured and distributed by Tender Heifer Snack Co., and they are based out of Beaumont, California. The Smokehouse Jerky Co. brand name was launched in 2008. On January 2/2017, Franco and his wife Patti Fonseca acquired Smokehouse Jerky Co. from Trent Levinson and his wife Barbie. Franco has since added some new flavors, and provides private labeling for Knott’s Berry Farm. All Smokehouse Jerky Co. jerky is made in small batches. Tender Heifer Snack Co. are always looking for new distributors across the United States, and they offer private label services.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Brown Sugar, Boysenberry Concentrate [Sucrose, Dextrose, Fructose, Boysenberry, Natural Flavors, Plant Extractives, Soy Lecithin], Water, Pineapple, Minced Garlic, Gluten Free Soy Sauce [Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar], Worcestershire Sauce (Distilled White Vinegar, Molasses, Sugar, Water, Salt, Onions, Anchovies, Garlic, Cloves, Tamarind Extract, Natural Flavorings, Chili Pepper Extract], Lemon, Sea Salt, Ground Pepper, Ginger. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Anchovies
This brisket cut of beef used is from cattle raised in California. Brisket is considered to be one of the best cuts of beef to use for jerky. 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 consists of boysenberry concentrate, water, a good gluten free soy sauce, and a very respectable Worcestershire sauce.
The health benefits from boysenberries are innumerable. Other healthy ingredients include pineapple, minced garlic, lemon, and ground pepper.
The sugar level is very high at 9 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. Some of that sugar would be from the boysenberries. Our preference is 5 grams of sugar or under for a sweet based flavor. The salt level is low at 130mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. As an added bonus, minimally processed sea salt is added.
As advertised, there are no unhealthy preservatives used, where this jerky is confirmed as having no sodium nitrite. Admirably, this jerky has no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips are mainly medium and narrow in size, and are sliced to a medium thickness. There is a great texture, where the brisket cut of beef is easier to chew, being soft. There are no visible signs of fat, and handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
Right away the unmistakable taste of berries is detected. A strong level of sweetness is also present. The boysenberries do taste authentic, with a bit too much sweetness from the sugar.
The blend of soy/Worcestershire is at a light level compared to the dominant fruitiness. Both the garlic and saltiness are at light levels. Overall, this flavor certainly delivers with the taste of boysenberries.
This 3 ounce/84 gram bag of jerky sells online for $8.00. That works out to $2.67 an ounce, which rates as an average price. Commendably, free shipping is offered on all orders. For any fan of berries, and not just boysenberries, this flavor is surely recommended as worth your money if you would enjoy a sweet tasting berry flavor.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has a label affixed on the front, and nothing on the back. The label has a fairly detailed picture of a wooden shack with a “Jerky Co.” sign, and some boysenberries displayed.
Some facts printed on this bags are “Old Fashion Recipe”, “No Added MSG”, “No Added Preservatives”, “Made in U.S.A.”, “Old Fashion”, and “Brisket”.
All bag categories are covered but one. There is no blurb printed about Smokehouse Jerky Co. or Tender Heifer Snack Co.
Order their jerky online: www.smokehousejerkyco.com
Thank you Mark for your always honest and unbiased opinion of our jerky. You guys a fantastic job in your reviews and I trust in you to always be the best!