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 they have a new web site design. 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, most notably for Knott’s Berry Farm. This jerky is manufactured and distributed by Tender Heifer Snack Co., and they are based out of Beaumont, California.
The next review on Smokehouse Jerky Co. will focus on a 3 ounce/84 gram bag of their Carolina Reaper flavored beef brisket jerky. This flavor is described as adding Carolina Reaper peppers to their Original flavor creating a flaming hot jerky. The jerky was graciously submitted for review by one of the owners, Patti Fonseca.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Teriyaki Sauce (Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Wine, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Vinegar, Salt, Spices, Onion Powder, Succinic Acid, Garlic Powder, Sodium Benzoate: Less Than 1/10 of 1% As A Preservative.), Brown Sugar, Carolina Reaper, Cayenne, Pineapple, Worcestershire Sauce (Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce Base (Distilled Vinegar, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, Caramel Color, Garlic Powder, Spices, Tamarind, Natural Flavor, Sulfiting Agent), Salt, Citric Acid), Lemon Juice (Water, Lemon Concentrate, 1/10 of 1% Sodium Benzoate), Garlic, Ghost Pepper, Ground Pepper, Sea Salt, Ginger. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
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 is comprised of an average brand of teriyaki sauce, an alright brand of Worcestershire sauce, and healthy lemon juice. The cheap highly processed sweetener high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is listed as an ingredient to lose a rating.
There are some healthy ingredients added such as garlic, black pepper, and ginger. The heat is achieved from Carolina Reaper pepper, ghost pepper, and cayenne pepper. Hot peppers are healthy if eaten in moderation, which flush toxins out of the body.
The sugar level is respectable at 3 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is low at only 110 grams of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky qualifies to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservative. Instead, sea salt is the main preservative used. With more kudos to Smokehouse Jerky Co., this jerky has no MSG added.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag, I am met with a delicious smelling blend of aromas. I can’t quite put my finger on it, I just know this is going to be another one of those white knuckle jerky rides. The jerky is sliced small to medium, and it is sliced to a medium thickness. The jerky is soft and a bit moist, and it leaves an ever so slight amount of moisture on your fingers.
The first flavors I detect are salt, black pepper, soy, garlic and then WHAM!!, the Carolina reaper enters the field like a wrecking ball. I am overcome with a spectacularly hot, yet exceptionally tasty cavalcade of heat, like an inferno of fire, breathing down on me like one of Daenerys’ dragons from Game Of Thrones.
56, 28, 44, hut, hut, Brady takes the ball and drops back, looks around, then BLAM!!, Aaron (Carolina Reaper) Donald crushes him from behind. He takes a bite of Smokehouse Jerky Co. Carolina Reaper jerky and says “Stay down Tommy, I’m the reaper, and I’m coming for you!” Tom gets back up, dusts himself off again and says “Damn, that’s the 8th time he’s knocked me down. I’m no match for Aaron the Reaper. Guys, let’s take our deflated footballs and go home, we are no match for the Reaper”. Game over, Smokehouse Jerky Co. Carolina Reaper wins the Super Bowl. A 10/10 gentlemen, GO RAMS!!! 👍👍
This 3 ounce/84 gram bag of jerky sells online for 7.99. That works out to $2.67 an ounce, which rates as an average price. Commendably, free shipping is offered on all orders over $25.
Excellent (10/10) – 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, along with a drawing of a menacing looking Carolina Reaper hot pepper.
Some facts printed on this bags are “Old Fashion Recipe”, “No Added MSG”, “No Added Preservatives”, “Made in U.S.A.”, “Old Fashion”, “Gluten Free”, “Natural Smoke Flavoring Added”, 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
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