Joel Babb, the owner of Kings Meat’s childhood was spent on family farms in Southeast South Dakota. Back in those days the farm was self-sufficient and organic. About 20 years ago, Joel moved to Russia. In 2016, Kings Meat Company launched their Kings Meat jerky brand. Kings Meat jerky strips are suspended from hooks, and carefully dried at a precise temperature. This hanging process keeps the moisture/juice/flavor in the beef, as opposed to drying jerky strips flat on a tray. The focus now is to expand internationally within the next few months, where they are currently exporting to Dubai, and have inquiries from China, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Kings Meat is distributed by Kings Meat Company, and it is located within Moscow city limits, also known as the Russian oblast of Moscow Oblast, Russia.
The next review for Kings Meat will focus on a 1.267 ounce/36 gram bag of their original flavored beef jerky. We previously reviewed this original flavor, where the facility of where this jerky is manufactured has since changed being much larger to handle demand. Joel teamed up with two new local partners who are experts in retail and distribution. This original flavor is described as having a classic taste with health benefits, and it is perfectly suited as an appetizer for a dry red wine or craft beer. The jerky bag was kindly submitted for review by the owner, Joel Babb.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Spices, Spice Extracts, E-300 (Ascorbic Acid), E-551 (Silicon Dioxide), Sugar, Salt, Himalayan Pink Salt, Sodium Nitrite.
The Russian black angus beef used here is sourced from Prime Beef, and is arguably even healthier than 100% grass-fed beef. Cattle are raised in the ecologically clean and fertile Kaluga and Voronezh regions. The cattle are fed a diet of grass and hay for most of their lives, and finished with non-GMO corn. To get more details, visit http://primebeef.ru/en. The beef used is guaranteed to be ethically raised, meaning free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. These cattle also are guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to roam about. As a result, the ingredient rating starts at an Excellent (10/10) rating.
Healthy spices and spice extractives are used, which may include paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
A nutrition facts table is displayed on the bag, but the sugar and salt levels seem to be measured differently in Russia compared to North America.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite, where sodium nitrite is used outright as a preservative to lose a rating. Commendably, there is no MSG added.
Very Good (9/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
I smell “buttered popcorn” as soon as I open the bag. That smell just comes wafting out at me. I still have to cut open the vacuum seal, and now that “buttered popcorn” smell is overpowering.
The pieces are all similar in size and thickness. They are medium in both size and thickness. The jerky strips are soft and easy to chew, and leave an ever so slight oily residue on your fingers.
I taste salt, black pepper to a lesser degree, next to no sweet, and that unmistakable “buttered popcorn” flavor, coming through in spades. There is a bit of fat on some pieces, which helps accentuate, or at least enhance the natural beef flavor.
Here is Mark’s take on this original flavor: “I shared this jerky between six different people, three of whom have never tried this Russian Kings Meat jerky brand before. They were all surprised with how the beef tastes, and everyone agrees that ‘buttered popcorn’ or just ‘buttered’ is the best way to describe this taste of beef. Even Stephane, the ultimate carnivore, said that this beef flavor is growing on him, which is a true statement. In my humble opinion, this Russian bred beef from Prime Beef is far superior tasting compared to any North American beef, and it is not even a contest.”
While I am thoroughly enjoying this flavor, it is lacking the ‘wow’ factor, although I suppose a true original flavor should not really contain a ‘wow’ factor.
All things considered, I would be very comfortable with a 9/10, stating the lack of a ‘wow’ factor being my only issue.
A 1.267 ounce/36 gram bag sells for around 200-250 rubles, which is converted to approximately $3.50-$4.00. That works out to $2.75 an ounce, which rates as an average price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has everything imprinted directly on the bag, both on the front and back. A high resolution picture of jerky strips is displayed on the front. Cleverly, the jerky itself is packaged inside a vacuum sealed pouch hidden in the bag, the best way to keep jerky fresh tasting.
Some facts printed on this bag are “Beef-Dried 100% Meat”, “Traditional North American Recipe”, “Handmade Without Any GMO or Dyes”, “100% Natural Meat”, “Source of Protein and Energy”, “Rich Protein”, “Low Fat Content”, “Without Dyes”, and “Ready To Eat”.
The only bag category missing is that there is no transparent window to view the actual jerky. There are some blurbs printed on the back that describe Kings Meat jerky. Their @kingsmeat.ru Facebook handle is provided.
Order their jerky online: www.kingsmeatjerky.ru
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