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 next review for Hobe’s Country Ham will focus on a 2 ounce/56 gram bag of their Carolina Q flavored ham jerky. To be clear, this Carolina Q is a barbecue based flavor, and not named after the hottest pepper in the world Carolina Reaper. North Carolina takes their barbecuing very seriously. This is a Lexington style that uses tomatoes, unlike the Eastern style that uses vinegar and pepper sauce for a distinct spicy-tartness. The jerky was graciously submitted for review by Shiners Stash Co-Owner, Beth Altis.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Pork, Cured Ham, Hobe’s Country Style, Separable Lean Only, Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Nitrate, Brown Sugar (Molasses), (Distilled Vinegar, (Tomato Paste (Tomatoes, (Spices, (Natural Flavors, Citric Acid), Spice, Natural Flavor, Artificial Flavor, Black Pepper, Cinnamon.
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 very healthy distilled vinegar, and healthy tomato paste.
There are some healthy ingredients added such as spice, black pepper, and cinnamon.
The sugar level is just acceptable at 5 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky for a sweet based flavor. The salt level is off the charts high at 1880mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. However, the salt levels are ignored because minimally processed sea salt was added.
Artificial flavor is used to lose a rating.
This jerky does not qualify to be sodium nitrite free, as sodium nitrite was used outright as a preservative in curing 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 smell ham. I’m a huge fan of ham. Thanksgiving around my house is far more about the ham than it is about the turkey. The pieces are small, but quite thick. The jerky is soft and dry, and it is easy to chew. It doesn’t so much leave an oily residue on your fingers as it leaves a bit of an orange hue.
The first flavors I encounter are salt, pepper, garlic, and that unmistakable flavor of ham. I am a card-carrying ham junkie, so therefore I am being treated to a personal favorite type of jerky. And it is a mouthwatering delight.
This jerky is endearing to me a spectacular explosion of delectable flavors, I am loving this scrumptious mixture of flavors, from the delicious ham to the tasty, yet not Carolina Pepper heat, along with the juice being used in this jerky, not sure which one. What a delectable mixture, I am a grown man, about to shed tears because my bag of Hobe’s Crack, er, I mean Country Ham Jerky is almost empty.
Gentlemen, my only caveat is if Hobe’s was attempting Carolina Reaper heat, they didn’t achieve it, and for that I would have to deduct a point. If not, 10/10 it is, emphatically…👍👍
Here is what Mark had to say about this Carolina Q ham jerky flavor from Hobe’s Country Ham: “Thanks Paul for your enthusiastic in-depth review. There was some initial confusion if this was a Carolina Reaper based flavor. The best way to describe this flavor is a smoky, salty, sweet, tomatoey flavor with a good level of natural country ham flavor. Stéphane and I are both at a Very Good (9/10) taste rating. While this flavor profile is well-balanced and addictive tasting, the flavor does not quite blow me away unlike Paul.”
“This jerky was shared between 10 people, all of whom enjoyed this flavor. Almost all said the word good in describing the taste including Ava. Here are the official ratings between the Group of Seven (Mark – 9, Paul – 10, Stéphane – 9, Nolan – 8, Mark M. – 8, Sid – 7, Ava – 7.25)”
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.
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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