The EPIC jerky brand name was created by Taylor Collins and Katie Forrest. Both Taylor and Katie are physically active and were looking for food to satisfy their needs. Then they started eating a paleo diet. Shortly afterward, they set out to create the world’s first 100% grass fed meat, fruit, and nut bar. This EPIC bar is distributed by Epic Provisions, located in Austin, Texas. In January 2016, the vast conglomerate General Mills acquired Epic Provisions.
The next review on EPIC will focus on a 1.5 ounce/43 gram bag of their Sea Salt & Pepper 100% Grass Fed Venison bar. This flavor is described as a perfect on-the-go snack. The bag was purchased at an Ollie’s discount store located in Niagara Falls, New York.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: 100% Grass Fed Venison, Lactic Acid, Sea Salt, Celery Powder, Cracked Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder.
This bar uses 100% grass-fed venison. The venison is raised ethically, meaning they are not fed growth hormones or additional antibiotics. The
venison used is guaranteed to be 100% grass fed with free range access. Therefore, the ingredient rating starts at an Excellent (10/10) rating.
The texture of this venison bar is chopped and formed. As a result, without having a natural whole muscle sliced strip of venison, two ingredient ratings are deducted.
There are some healthy ingredients added, such as garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
The sugar level is perfect, being at 0 grams of sugar. The salt level is acceptable at 390mg of salt per 43 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, the main preservative used is sea salt, which is minimally processed, and high on minerals, as opposed to highly processed table salt. Celery powder is also used with its naturally occurring nitrates. With further kudos, there is also no MSG added.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
EPIC – SEA SALT & PEPPER VENISON BAR
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell vinegar. The bag consists of one large and thick ‘venison jerky bar’. The jerky is rather soft and a bit oily, which makes it leave an ever so slight oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into the ‘jerky bar’ (it actually resembles in appearance to a chocolate bar), I am met with a strong salt flavor (a good thing), pepper (not quite so prevalent), garlic, onion, and not much else. This jerky is not really grabbing my attention, outside of the strong salt flavor. It is leaving me wanting as far as any ‘Wow’ factor goes. The hue of the jerky is a dark red, which makes me wonder if it is processed or not. Either way, if it is or not, the jerky is not piquing my interest, it’s just not quite up to snuff. Therefore, I believe this jerky rating is writing itself. A strong 6, or a weak 7/10 in my opinion. Gentlemen?
Here is what Stéphane had to say: “Much like Paul, I am not overly impressed with the Epic Sea Salt and Pepper Venison Jerky. This jerky is quite salty and will likely be too salty for most people. It is definitely out of balance and the saltiness overpowers most other flavors. The pepper flavor is acceptable. I also notice a strange taste, it is off putting and somewhat of a stale or possibly a processed taste. Either way, it is not a pleasant taste.”
“The texture of this meat stick feels more like sawdust pressed into a bar, it is sort of grainy and not too pleasant in your mouth.”
“Overall, the Epic Sea Salt and Pepper Venison Jerky bar has little to incite in taking another bite and it is easy to live without it. I’d rate this jerky 6/10 Taste Rating.”
Here is what Mark had to say about this sea salt & pepper venison bar flavor from EPIC: “Thanks for the taste reviews Stéphane and Paul. It is unanimous, where I am not impressed with this ‘bar’ either. It is too salty tasting with not much else going for it. It’s the texture of this venison that is particularly poor. Pressed saw dust is a good way to put it, which has a processed type of flavor. Also agreed with Paul Rekker in that this bar’s texture is surprisingly red from the nitrates.”
”Due to COVID-19, our Group of Seven is down to three for this review. With myself at a 4 rating, Paul and Stéphane both at a 6, we will split the difference and award a 5 rating. For the record, our Jerky Ingredients mascot whippet Lexi ate most of this bar with zero complaints, as all I needed was two small bites to do this review.”
This 1.5 ounce/43 gram bag cost 89 cents, which works out to $1.23 an ounce. That rates as an extremely cheap price granted it was purchased from a discount store.
Bag Review
This plastic bag has everything printed directly on the bag itself, on both the front and back. There is a detailed drawing of a deer on the front. This bag is vacuum-sealed, the best way to keep this bar fresh-tasting.
A slogan printed on this bag is “Live Epic. Eat Epic”. Some facts printed are “100% Grass Fed Beef Venison Used”, “12G of Protein”, “Made In USA”, “Gluten Free”, and “Venison raised free range – never confined.” There is a stamp printed that states “Gluten-Free Certified.”
All bag categories are covered with this bag. Commendably, a phone number is provided for customer inquiries. There is a great blurb printed on the back about this bar.
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