Growing mushrooms has been a passion of South Mill Champs since Louie Pia began farming nearly 90 years ago. With a long, rich heritage, he knew mushrooms’ taste and value in traditional Italian cooking and wanted to bring those same qualities to families in America. Today, South Mill Champs is a leader among the largest growers in North America supplying 110 million pounds of mushrooms annually. They cultivate delicious mushrooms that nourish and deliver uncompromising authenticity—qualities that guide everything they do. From their farms to your fingers, they ensure their mushrooms are responsibly grown to reduce the impact on our precious environment.
South Mill Champs has created an innovative and delicious line of better-for-you mushroom snacks called Shrooms! Discover unique, mind-blowing flavors of Shrooms mushroom Crisps, Jerky, Splits, and Bars. Each comes in a variety of delicious, savory flavors and is low fat, low sodium, and cholesterol-free. Shrooms is distributed by the Shrooms Snacks, and they are located in Kenneth Square, Pennsylvania.
The first review on Shrooms will focus on a 2 ounce/57 gram bag of their mesquite barbecue flavored white mushroom crisps. This flavor is described as delicious, crispy, and like nothing you’ve ever tasted! The bag was purchased at a HomeSense store located in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Ingredient Review
Mushrooms, Canola Oil, Maltodextrin, Mesquite BBQ Seasoning (Tomato Powder, Salt, Sugar, Onion Powder, Spices, Garlic Powder, Yeast Extract, Citric Acid, Potato Maltodextrin, Extractives of Paprika, Natural Mesquite Smoke Flavor). Allergen Warnings: Peanuts, Tree Nuts.
The mushrooms used are white mushrooms grown by farmers in Canada and the USA. Mushrooms are a good source of protein, fiber, antioxidants, cholesterol-free, vitamin D, and are high on the minerals iron and selenium. The ingredient rating starts at Very Good (9/10).
The liquid marinade used here consists of only canola oil.
Some healthy ingredients added are tomato powder, garlic powder, spices, paprika extractive, and onion.
The sugar level is respectable at only 2 grams of sugar per 57 grams of sugar. The salt level is acceptable at 400mg of salt per 57 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite or have any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Admirably, this jerky qualifies to have no MSG added.
Very Good (9/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
SHROOMS – MESQUITE BARBECUE MUSHROOM CRISPS
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane’s
Did Shrooms redefine jerky, or are they further blurring the line between jerky and dried mushrooms? It is an undisputed fact. Mushrooms are a good meat substitute, and Shrooms makes a strong argument with this mushroom delicacy.
These mushrooms taste great, the flavor is mild, simple and the wonderful mushroom taste stands front and center. The barbecue seasoning is light, and it perfectly accentuates and elevates their flavor. The texture is nice, really crispy, and light. These flavors and texture are truly magnificent and addictive. It is indeed addictive beyond belief right down to the last little crispy bits at the bottom of the bag. I’d go as far as saying it is an explosion of wonderful texture and taste.
As it is Thanksgiving in Canada, I am grateful for this beautiful and tasty snack. I can’t get enough. I highly recommend this to anyone in search of a fantastic new experience. This is the real deal, and it certainly won’t disappoint.
I rate Shrooms a top-notch 10/10 taste rating. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Here is Paul’s take: “When I open the bag I don’t pick up on any discernible smells. The pieces are small in size, and are generally sliced thin. The jerky is extremely dry, almost flakey, and there is no oily residue.”
“The first flavors I detect are salt, pepper, and not much else. This is an exceptionally tasty snack, but I can’t really say that I am picking up much, if any, of the mesquite barbecue flavor. This treat is being devoured at a record pace, but still no barbecue flavor. For that reason alone I am inclined to rate it at a 9/10, unless you can convince me otherwise…”
Here is what Mark had to say about this mesquite barbecue white mushroom crisps flavor from Shrooms: “Thanks Stéphane and Paul for the great taste reviews. With myself not being a mushroom (shiitake/oyster) jerky fan this was our first mushroom jerky review using white mushrooms. Plus, being the first crispy mushroom texture reviewed.”
“I disagree with Paul in that there is some resemblance to a barbecue based flavor. There is a definite mushroom (perhaps umami) taste present, but it is at a mild level at best. As mentioned by Stéphane, the mild barbecue seasoning accentuates the mushroom flavor to something that I can enjoy and buy. The crunchy, easy to chew crispy texture is what puts this jerky over the top good.”
“Due to COVID-19, we are down to three members of the Group of Seven. Our Jerky Ingredients mascot whippet Lexi continues her streak of having zero interest in trying mushroom jerky. With Paul at a 9 rating and Stéphane at a 10 rating, that leaves myself to be the decider. Based on the wow factor being a unique product, an Excellent (10/10) taste rating will be awarded. Well worth the effort if you are looking for a substitute to meat jerky.”
This 2 ounce/57 gram bag sold for $4.99, which works out to $2.50 an ounce. That rates as a really cheap price for mushroom jerky.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable professional-looking plastic bag has everything imprinted on to the bag itself, both on the front and back. The only label attached is an updated nutrition facts table on the back. On the front, there is a psychedelic illustration of a mushroom and a high-resolution picture of these mushroom crisps. On the back, there is another high-resolution picture of some fresh mushrooms and a sauce.
Some slogans printed on this bag are “Snack Altering” and “Savor The Mind Blowing Flavor”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Crispy Mushroom Snack”, “Thick Cut From Fresh Mushrooms”, “Low Saturated Fat”, “Cholesterol Free”, “Naturally Flavored”, and “Crispy Mushroom Snack”. A Non-GMO stamp is displayed on the front and back.
The only missing bag category is a transparent window to view the actual jerky. A good blurb is printed on the back about these savory mushrooms.
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