The next review for Pop’s Famous Gourmet Beef Jerky will focus on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of their BBQ Mesquite flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as being like its fresh off the grill at a summer barbecue, having a tangy Southwestern zest. The bag was purchased at a ShopRite store in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.
The Pop’s Famous Gourmet Beef Jerky brand name is distributed under the same name of Pop’s Famous Gourmet Beef Jerky. They are located in Ramsey, New Jersey, and are owned by Joel and Ewa. Their jerky recipes and cooking process was first developed years ago, and was passed on. They take great pride in knowing that all of the ingredients that go into their jerky are made from high quality products from companies who share their commitment to excellence. This jerky is advertised as having no preservatives, and is low on sodium, using beef that is guaranteed to be hormone-free.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Tomato Juice, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Natural Smoke Flavor (Water, Natural Mesquite Smoke Concentrate), Water, Brown Sugar, Vinegar, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Spices, Onion, Garlic. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
The beef used is guaranteed to be ethically raised, meaning free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. There is no guarantee that the cattle have at least partial free range access to graze on grass. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The liquid marinade consists of healthy tomato juice, a decent soy sauce, very healthy vinegar, water, and healthy extra virgin olive oil. Tomatoes contain an antioxidant named lycopene, which offers many health benefits.
Some people consider onion and garlic to be in the superfood category. Both are from the allium family, which interestingly heal people differently depending on the individual’s needs.
The sugar level is very low at only 1 gram of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. However, that seems impossible with the sweetness present in this flavor. The salt level is extremely low at only 85mg 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, and vinegar to a lesser extent. To the credit of Pop’s Famous Gourmet Beef Jerky, there is no MSG added.
Very Good (9/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips of jerky are small to medium in size, and they are sliced to a medium thickness. The texture is more on the soft and tender side, being relatively easy to chew, except for the odd wad of fat. There are some visible signs of fat that accentuate the natural beef flavor. Handling this jerky leaves a slight oily residue on your fingers.
Some of the first flavors detected are light levels of black pepper and garlic. A moderate level of sweetness is consistent, which arguably is too sweet tasting. A tasty tomato barbecue flavor is present.
As for the mesquite flavor, it is not detected, just a light smoked flavor. Mild levels of salt and soy complement this flavor. Overall, this is a tasty and enjoyable flavor, just a bit too sweet tasting in our opinion, and it misses on the mesquite flavor.
This 3 ounce/85 gram bag sells online for $7.49. That works out to $2.50 an ounce, which rates as an average price. This flavor is recommended to anybody who would enjoy a sweet, zesty tasting barbecue flavor.
Bag Review
This gold colored resealable bag has a label affixed to the front, and nothing on the silver colored back. The Pop’s Famous Gourmet Beef Jerky logo is a gentleman tipping his cap. Also featured is a female Jalapeno hottie.
Their slogan is “With a smoky taste, right off the grill!”. Facts printed on this bag are “No Nitrates”, “No Added MSG”, “Natural Style”, “No Preservatives”, “Low in Fat”, and “Natural Smoke Flavor Added”.
The only bag categories missing are the jerky weight stated in grams, and a blurb about the jerky.
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