Hobe’s Country Ham is a family owned, Veteran owned Country Ham facility out of Wilkesboro, North Carolina where they supply country ham products to Food Lion and some other big companies. Hobe’s Country Ham is proud to be a family-owned and operated business, serving their customers since 1973. Hobe’s was founded by their late grandfather, Hobert Gambill. He took immense pride in serving families at the table, and providing exceptional quality country ham for over 40 years.
Shiners Stash partnered with Hobe’s Country Ham in 2019 to produce some ham jerky based flavors. Hobe’s Country Ham is distributed under the same name of Hobe’s Country Ham, and they are based out of the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. This jerky is not secretly manufactured by private labeler (Co-packer) Shiners Stash, LLC. based out of Conover, North Carolina.
The first review for Hobe’s Country Ham will focus on a 2 ounce/56 gram bag of their cajun flavored ham jerky. This jerky was kindly submitted for review by Shiners Stash Co-Owner, Beth Altis.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Pork, Ham, Hobe’s Country Style, Separable Lean Only, Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Nitrate, Brown Sugar (Molasses), Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt, Salt, < 0.1% of Sodium Benzoate (Presevative)), Cajun Seasoning (Sea Salt, Cayenne Pepper Powder, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Granulated Garlic, Minced Onion, Paprika, White Pepper, Non-GMO Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Crushed Red Pepper, Oregano, Natural Lemon Juice Flavor, Silicon Dioixde, Thyme, Paprika Extractive, Cumin, Sage), Spice, Salt. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
The ham used is guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The liquid marinade is comprised of an average brand of soy sauce, non-GMO expeller pressed canola oil, healthy natural lemon juice flavor, and water.
There are many healthy ingredients added such as cayenne pepper powder, black pepper, onion powder, granulated garlic, minced onion, paprika, white pepper, crushed red chili pepper, oregano, thyme, paprika extractive, cumin, sage, and spices.
The sugar level is very high at 13 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar and under per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is off the charts high at 2260mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. However, the salt levels are ignored because minimally processed sea salt was added. Based on taste alone, the sugar and salt levels do not nearly match the nutrition facts table.
This jerky does not qualify to be sodium nitrite free, as sodium nitrite was used outright as a preservative to cure the country ham to lose a rating. Admirably, this jerky qualifies to have no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag, I don’t smell much. What a remarkably small sample portion. I’m not sure we can do this jerky proper justice with such a tiny sample size. The pieces are small in size, but are sliced quite thick. The jerky is soft and dry, and it is easy to chew. There is no oily residue left on your fingers.
When I bite into the jerky, I can immediately tell that it is ham. I am a card-carrying massive ham junky, and this ham is some kind of delicious.
I taste salt, pepper, no sweet whatsoever (two thumbs up), and the Cajun spice is to die for, it is hitting like a freight train. I am in 7th heaven devouring this jerky like I haven’t eaten in 3 months. It is massaging my palette like a professional masseuse, and I am powerless against its intense allure.
If I had to register a minor concern, it would be that the pieces are not consistent in texture, with one piece being quite tough and chewy, while the next will be soft and moist. But that cannot and will not deter me from awarding this pig jerky a 10/10. Bacon and ham rock. Pigs rock. Oink oink!!! Two thumbs way up!!!👍👍
Here is what Mark had to say about this Cajun ham jerky flavor from Hobe’s Country Ham: “Stéphane and I wholly agree with Paul, where this Cajun spice blend is to die for, which is sublime tasting. This jerky was shared between eight different people, where not all reactions were the same. Also agreed with Paul that this portion size was too small to review properly, but in fairness, Shiners Stash did not know about our minimum 3 ounces per flavor submission. Some of the lower ratings from the less experienced jerky reviewers tried strips with a tough texture, where the Cajun spice blend did not come across as well, as compared to other strips that were more soft and tender.
Here are the official ratings between the Group of Seven (Mark – 9, Paul – 10, Stéphane – 10, Nolan – N/A, Mark M. – 8, Sid – 7, Ava – 7)”
A 2 ounce/56 gram bag sells online for $4.99. That works out to $2.50 an ounce, which rates as an average price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable clear plastic bag has labels affixed, both on the front and back. The Hobe’s logo states that they were established in 1973. There is a drawing of a basket of hot peppers on the front.
A slogan printed on this bag is “Great Snack Anytime”. Some facts printed on this bag are “17g Protein Per Serving”, “Veteran Owned”, “Made in the USA”, and “Shelf Safe”.
All bag categories are covered with this bag. You are encouraged to follow Hobe’s Country Ham on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. A good blurb is printed on the back about Hobe’s Country Ham and Shiners Stash.
Order their jerky online: http://hobescountryham.com
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