Oberto may still be the second largest national meat snack company that sells well over 100 different dried meat products. Oberto is a family-owned company that was formed over 100 years ago in 1918 by Constantino Oberto. In 1967, Safeway became the first national grocery store to carry Oh Boy! Oberto jerky. In 1994, they launched turkey jerky. Then in 2000, they aligned with the major global snack manufacturer Frito-Lay to expand their distribution network, which includes Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Norway. In 2009, after slow sales, Oberto Brands ended the distribution deal with Frito-Lay and began distributing its products.
Overall, an impressive success story, where the Oberto family took their fair share of risks to get where they are today. Oberto announced in April 2018 that it was being sold to Premium Brand Holdings. Oberto is distributed under the name of 2017 Oberto Sausage Co., located in Kent, Washington.
The next review on Oberto will focus on a 2.75 ounce/78 gram bag of their pulled pork jerky. This pulled pork flavor is advertised as a savory blend of marinade and spices, then cooked to perfection for maximum smoky flavor in every bite. The bag was purchased at Ollie’s discount store located in Niagara Falls, New York.
Ingredient Review
Pork, Water, Brown Sugar, Salt, Vinegar, Spices, Tomato Paste, Natural Smoke Flavor, Pineapple Juice, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Granulated Garlic, Granulated Onion.
The pork used is guaranteed to be raised with no antibiotics and no added hormones. This pork is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to roam about outside. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The liquid marinade consists of water, healthy vinegar, healthy tomato paste, and pineapple juice, which contains an enzyme named bromelain that naturally tenderizes meat.
Some healthy ingredients are added, such as spices, garlic powder, onion powder, granulated garlic, and granulated onion.
The sugar level is on the high side at 7 grams of sugar per 28 grams of sugar to lose a rating. Our preference for a sweet based flavor as we have here with this pulled pork flavor to be 5 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is high at 500mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose another rating.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, salt and vinegar to a lesser extent acts as preservatives. Admirably, this jerky qualifies to have no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
OBERTO – PULLED PORK JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
Oh boy, when I open the bag, I smell sweet. Not a good start for Oberto. The jerky is shredded, just like pulled pork should be. There is one clump of shredded jerky stuck together. I broke it up a bit and tried some.
The first flavors that I encounter are sweet, followed by more sweet, and concludes with more sweet. Having never been much of a fan of pulled pork, nothing is changed here. I taste little salt, so very sweet, so very little garlic, so very little of anything except sweet. I’m eating more of the jerky, but I am completely unimpressed with this product.
Unfortunately, I have never been a fan of pulled pork. Still, if I put my personal bias aside, this does taste as advertised, and therefore I suppose it earns at least a 7/10. Nevertheless, we all know that my review reads very differently, so be that as it may, edit my review accordingly. Sorry guys, I’m tapping out. Mark, let me know if Lexi wants the rest of my jerky.
Here is what Stéphane had to say: “I find this pulled pork to be too sweet, and there is a chemical taste to it.”
“I’d rate this jerky 7/10 taste rating.”
Here is what Mark had to say about this pulled pork jerky flavor from Oberto: “Thanks Stéphane and Paul for the honest taste reviews. It was no surprise to read your reviews, where indeed, this pulled pork is quite sweet tasting. Oberto pulls off the pulled pork flavor, but again, it’s just too sweet tasting for our liking. Also true that some of these pulled pork shreds compounded into compact clumps that tasted awful.”
“Due to COVID-19, we are down to three people from the Group of Seven. I think a 7 rating is warranted here. For the record, Paul is returning his portion, where our mascot whippet Lexi will happily finish the remainder of this pulled pork jerky.”
This 2.75 ounce/78 gram bag sold for $2.99, which works out to $1.09 an ounce. That rates at an extremely cheap price. Granted, the bag was purchased at a discount store.
Bag Review
This resealable-professional looking plastic bag has everything imprinted on to the bag itself, both on the front and back. On the front there is a high resolution picture of pulled pork, a tomato, and a bowl of barbecue sauce. Same for the back with a picture of a tomato and a bowl of barbecue sauce, plus a mountain.
Some slogans printed on this bag are “All Natural” and “You Get Out What You Put In”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Good Source of Protein”, “Natural Smoke Flavor Added”, “Made in the USA”, “No Artificial Ingredients”, “Minimally Processed”, “Gluten Free”, “6g Protein”, “110 Calories”, “6g Total Fat”, “0g Trans Fat”, “8g Total Carbs”, “No Added MSG”, “Minimally Processed”, “No Artificial Ingredients”, and “BBQ Recipe”.
The only bag category missing is a window to view the actual jerky to lose a rating. Commendably, a toll-free phone number is provided for customer inquiries. There is a good blurb printed on the back of the bag about Oberto, and this pulled pork flavor.
Leave a Comment