The idea of Pescavore was born of a working, surfing, and diving travel journey to the Marshall Islands in 2013. They were introduced to a delightful food tradition of artisanally produced local fish snacks. Pescavore then started out with a mission to improve education, and make domestic resources more competitive in an international marketplace. They take pride with sustainable wild caught local tuna traced directly to the vessel and fisherman. Currently, 94% of all seafood consumed in the US is foreign sourced or foreign processed, and can rack up 14,000 food miles travelling internationally from places such as Thailand or China. Co-owners Mathew and Clarice Owens worked tirelessly to get their ahi tuna jerky to market, where the Pescavore jerky brand was officially launched in September of 2018. Each 1.5 ounce/42.5 gram jerky strip contains 14-15 grams of protein, nothing artificial, and less than 1 gram of sugar. This jerky is distributed by Healthy Oceans Seafood Company, Inc., and they are based out of Santa Cruz, California.
The first review on Pescavore will focus on a 1.5 ounce/42.5 gram bag of their Caribbean Jerk flavored ahi tuna jerky. This flavor is described as an authentic recipe being mild by jerk standards, but has a robust, smoky, savory flavor matched perfectly to fish. The jerky was kindly submitted for review by CTO and Co-Founder, Clarice Owens.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Yellowfin Tuna, Water, Vinegar, Safflower Oil, Salt, Granulated Garlic, Granulated Onion, Ground Allspice, Red Pepper Powder, Spice Extractives, Cilantro Oil (Sesame Oil, Natural Flavors), Cinnamon, Spices, Natural Flavors.
Allergen Warnings: Sesame
The wild caught ahi yellowfin tuna used here is caught off the California coast, and processed in the USA. Tuna offers many health benefits including being high in omega 3 fatty acids, plus are heart and brain healthy. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is an Excellent (10/10).
The liquid marinade consists of water, healthy vinegar, healthy safflower oil, and healthy cilantro oil, which includes sesame oil.
There are some healthy ingredients added such as granulated garlic, granulated onion, ground allspice, red pepper powder, spice extractives, cinnamon, and spices.
The sugar level is great with 0 grams of sugar per 42.5 grams of jerky. The salt level is low at 200mg of salt per 42.5 grams of jerky.
This jerky is confirmed as having no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, salt is the main preservative, and vinegar to a lesser degree. Admirably, this jerky has no MSG added.
Excellent (10/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
I ripped my little Pescavore vacuum pack and I discovered a Caribbean Jerk Ahi Tuna Jerky Strip. The single strip is large and sliced rather thick. The texture is moist, tender and very easy to chew.
Mark pointed out: “Been so soft and tender, the strip feels more like a filet of fish rather than a strip of jerky”. This strip leaves a significant amount of oily residue on the fingers and a handy piece of paper towel is highly recommended. You’d be wise to be careful while opening your bag unless you don’t really mind smelling like a drunken sailor on a quest to finish a weekend marathon at the local brothels.
The aroma of healthy fish is remarkably pungent …I guarantee! Don’t be too surprised if all the neighborhood kitties line up on your windows sill and serenade you all night.
I took my first bite of Pescavore – Caribbean Jerk Ahi Tuna Jerky Strip and the mild Caribbean jerk flavor has an authentic taste and this enjoyable flavor kept building, as I kept chewing. This light taste is especially nice and it does not distract from the star of the show. This product has a light saltiness and a slight natural sweetness. These lighter notes followed by a subtle smokiness are complimenting the beautiful and delicate taste of tuna. This exquisite flavor profile is well balanced; it accentuates and elevates to perfection the natural flavor of tuna.
The quality of Pescavore – Ahi Tuna Caribbean Jerk and its flavor deliver in spades. This tasty treat will certainly be appreciated by any fan of tuna.
Mark and I read Paul’s review and we were shocked; he was enamored with this stuff. Paul even said: “When I bite into the strip, I definitely taste tuna, which, remarkably, I am quite enjoying. Even the Caribbean jerk flavor is coming through nicely. I cannot believe it, but this tuna stick is delicious, and comes across exactly as advertised.”
Mark was at 9/10 and this also says a lot, the guy does not usually like fish and for this reason, Pescavore must be doing something right.
Clarice at Pescavore described their brand as “Wildly Responsible” and it is their tag line.
We’ve ended our review and we were all delighted with this wonderful and healthy treat. Paul and I could not keep our fingers out of the bag and we secretly shed a few tears …but in a manly way, dammit! We were in a pickup truck and we were wearing boots.
This is a slam dunk, Jack! A 10/10 taste rating! All the way and twice on Sunday, Cheers Baby!
A 3 pack of these 1.5 ounce/42.5 gram bags of jerky sells online for $14.99. That works out to $3.31 an ounce, which rates as a cheap price.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This non-resealable plastic bag has everything printed directly on the bag itself, including the front and back. The bag is enclosed by a cardboard insert. There is a picture on the front with fresh garlic, hot pepper, and cilantro. This bag is vacuum sealed, the best way to keep jerky fresh tasting.
A slogan printed on this bag is “Wildly Responsible”. Some facts printed on this bag are “12 Grams of Protein”, “Wild Caught & Whole Cut”, “Made in the USA”, “Source of Omega-3”, “Gluten Free”, and “Nothing Artificial”.
There are specific facts printed about the tuna itself: “Our Wild Fish Is Always Caught Responsibly”, “Fish Species: Yellowfin Tuna”, “Vessel/Captain: Cape Blanco/Corbin Hanson”, “Fishing Method: Unassociated Purse Seine, Fad Free”, “Location Caught: Pacific Ocean, California Coast”, and “Meet the Captain at pescavoreseafood.com”. A stamp is displayed stating “Est. 2016 Santa Cruz Calif.”
The only bag category missing is a sesame allergen alert. There is a great blurb printed on the back about how this jerky is prepared.
Excellent (10/10) – Bag Rating
Order their jerky online: www.pescavoreseafood.com
Leave a Comment