The El Diablito fish jerky brand name was launched in 2016 in Tabasco, Mexico to transform the hated, feared, and invasive “pez diablo”, or devil fish into a delicious and healthy snack. The devil fish is a serious problem in Mexico, where it now accounts for 70% of freshwater capture, and has decimated the small-scale fishing industry.
Because of the fish’s mild flavor and firm texture, it tastes and feels just like beef, and is perfect for El Diablito jerky! Every batch is crafted without chemical preservatives to deliver the perfect snack for your next outdoor adventure. Workout, or office munching. They know you’ll love it, and the ecosystem with thank you. This El Diablito jerky is distributed by Acari LLC, and they are located in Berkeley, California.
The first review on El Diablito will focus on a 1.06 ounce/30 gram bag of their original flavored white fish jerky. This flavor is described as the first devil fish jerky packed with 18g of protein having a mild flavor, and is dried using naturalwood, giving it a smokey taste. The jerky was kindly submitted for review by CEO, Mike Mitchell.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Suckermouth Catfish, Golden Yellow Sugar, Sea Salt, Canola Oil, Yeast Extract, Black Pepper, Curry, Garlic, Natural Hardwood Smoke
The white fish used in this jerky is wild-caught Suckermouth Catfish from Mexico. Suckermouth Catfish is full of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, potassium, and loaded with the mineral selenium. As a result, the highest ingredient rating possible is Excellent (10/10).
The liquid marinade used here is just canola oil.
There are some healthy ingredients added such as black pepper, and garlic.
The sugar level is a little high at 3 grams of sugar per 30 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 3 grams or less per 28 grams. The salt level is high at 580mg of salt per 30 grams of jerky. However, the salt levels are ignored because healthy minimally processed sea salt is used.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium added, or any other similar preservatives. Instead, minimally processed sea salt is the main preservative used. Admirably, this jerky does qualify to have no MSG added.
Very Good (9/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
EL DIABLITO – ORIGINAL WHITE FISH JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag, I smell a strong fish odour. The jerky strips are uniform in size and thickness. They are rectangular in size, and cut rather thin. They are somewhat soft and chewy, and they leave no oily residue on your fingers.
The first flavor that jumps out at me is the strong salt flavor, which I personally tend to like, but I detect it may be too salty for some people. I also detect pepper, slight garlic, and a very discernible fish flavor permeating throughout the jerky strips. Whereas some may be turned off with the intense salt flavor, I am drawn towards it, as I love intense salt. But it is more than just that.
I am enjoying the fish flavor as well because it is not overpowering the jerky flavor, it is enhancing it. I like a lot of types of fish, and while I do not believe fish should be made into jerky, I am trying to keep an open mind here, therefore this particular fish flavor of jerky definitely has me intrigued. Color me impressed, I am willing to give this jerky flavor at least a 9/10, but could easily be swayed to a 10/10. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this original white fish
jerky flavor from El Diablito: “Thanks Paul for the great taste review. True, this flavor is salty tasting, and arguably too high. As with all fish jerky submissions, the jerky maker always tells me that their jerky tastes like beef because I am not a seafood fan. That is never the case though. In the case of this original flavor, there is an unmistakable taste of fish. Of all fish (tuna/salmon/white fish) jerky reviewed to date, this is the least fishy tasting jerky.”
“Due to COVID-19, the Group of Seven is down to three people. It is really disappointing that Stéphane, a big seafood fan, was not able to participate in this fish review because of a stomach reaction to eating curry. We refer to it as Stéphane’s kryptonite. Stéphane even has at least a 20 year old devil fish in his aquarium for the last 17 years.”
“On your first bite, the fish flavor is not prominent yet, and does come across as slightly beefy tasting. This original flavor tastes alright, but I am not blown away. I am inclined to award a Good (8/10) taste rating, but we will use Paul’s recommended 9 rating. Although I do disagree with Paul in that fish jerky is perfectly normal.”
Three 1.06 ounce/30 gram bags of Original jerky sells online for $12.50 CDN. That equates to $4.09 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This non-resealable bag has everything imprinted on the bag itself, both on the front and back. The El Diablito logo depicts a picture of a fish with a red trident.
A slogan displayed on this bag is “1/10th The Carbon Footprint of Beef Jerky”. Some facts printed on this bag are “90 Calories”, “0g Fat”, “18g Protein”, “Nitrate Free”, “Gluten Free”, “Made in Canada From Imported Ingredients”, and “May Contain Small Bones”.
The only bag category missing is a transparent window to view the actual jerky to lose a rating. Handles are displayed for Facebook and Instagram. There is a great blurb printed on the back about Acari Fish. As per Canadian law, French translations are provided.
Order their jerky online: www.acarifish.com
Leave a Comment