The next review for Ayoba-Yo will focus on a 2 ounce/57 gram bag of their spicy flavored 100% grass-fed beef biltong. This spicy flavor is described as having zero sugar, with a special blend of cayenne and chili powder to give a flavorful kick. Ayoba-Yo is an informal term that translates to express amazement, agreement, and approval. This bag was graciously submitted for review by Wian van Blommestein, a member of the van Blommestein family who owns this brand.
This Ayoba-Yo brand is distributed under the same name of Ayoba-Yo, and it is based out of Oakton, Virginia. Wian’s family moved to the USA from South Africa about 15 years ago, where they missed foods from South Africa. A few years later, they launched Ayoba-Yo. Their biltong is air dried for over 14 days. Being air dried, the enzymes are still intact, making it a healthier product than jerky. The recipe uses minimal ingredients, with no artificial ingredients or preservatives, making it all natural, and having an authentic taste.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Sea Salt, Coriander, Cayenne, Worcestershire Powder (Salt, Sugar, Tomato, Vinegar, Tamarind, Natural Flavor, Citric Acid,
Garlic, Onion), Chili Powder (Chili Powder, Paprika, Salt, Cumin, Pepper, Oregano), Pepper, Vinegar.
This jerky uses 100% grass-fed beef, the way nature intended. These cattle are raised ethically, meaning they are not fed growth hormones, or additional antibiotics. There is also some free range access for the cattle to roam about.
This liquid marinade is just healthy vinegar. The Worcestershire sauce is in powder form, because the powdered sauce is absent of the allergens anchovies and wheat.
The healthy herb coriander is used. Other healthy ingredients used are black pepper, garlic, and onion.
The heat is achieved from cayenne pepper and chili Powder. Both are healthy if eaten in moderation.
The sugar level does not get any better than having no sugar at all. The salt level is acceptable at 700mg of salt per 57 grams of jerky. As an added bonus, healthy sea salt is used, which is high on minerals and trace minerals.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite used as a preservative. Instead, minimally processed sea salt is the main preservative, and vinegar to a lesser extent. Admirably, there is no MSG added.
Excellent (10/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These strips of biltong are small in size, and they are sliced thin. The texture is soft and tender, being easy to chew. There are no visible signs of fat, and handling this biltong leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
The first taste detected is a good level of coriander. There is a light level of Worcestershire sauce present that blends in well. Each bite finishes off with a light tang from the vinegar.
Some spiciness is present, but not that much, which builds as you consume more strips. On a heat scale, the spiciness would rate a 2 out of 5. No sweetness is present, which allows a great level of natural beef flavor. Overall, this spicy flavor is highly enjoyable, and more complex tasting compared to traditional biltong.
A 2 ounce/85 gram bag sells online for $7.99. That works out to $4.00 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price. This flavor is absolutely recommended to anybody who enjoys the taste of biltong with a bit of spiciness.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This bag has everything imprinted on the bag itself, both on the front and back.
The Ayoba-Yo slogans are “Air Dried Slices” and “Eat Our Meat”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Authentic South African Recipe”, “Proudly Made in the USA”, “Sugar Free”, “180 Calories”, “0g Sugar”, “31g Protein”, “Gluten Free”, “No Artificial Preservatives”, “No Artificial Flavors”, “No Nitrates”, “No MSG”, “All Natural”, “No Artificial Ingredients”, “Minimally Processed”, “Not a Low Calorie Food”, and “Beef Raised With Vegetarian Diet And No Added Hormones or Antibiotics”.
All bag categories are covered with this bag. A very good blurb is printed on the back about how the biltong is manufactured. Commendably, an email address is provided for customer inquiries. The Ayoba-Yo Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram handles are provided.
Excellent (10/10) – Bag Rating
Order their jerky online: www.ayoba-yo.com
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