For three generations, the Klein family has been making meat snacks. Originally a sausage producer and delicatessen, Alberta Fancy Sausage Ltd. was founded in 1971. When the switch was made from delicatessen to beef jerky manufacturer, Big Chief Meat Snacks new jerky brand evolved. Family-owned, Big Chief Meat Snacks Inc. promotes active lifestyles and a balanced diet. People referred to the founder William Klein as “Big Chief” and how the Big Chief jerky brand name was adopted. This Big Chief Meat Snacks jerky brand name is distributed under Big Chief Meat Snacks Inc., and it is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The next review on Big Chief Meat Snacks will focus on a 2.8 ounce/80 gram bag of their teriyaki flavoured chopped and formed beef jerky. This flavour is described as perfect if you want a quick snack that satisfies. The jerky was kindly submitted by Marketing & Social Media Coordinator Tanner Thompson.
Ingredients: Beef, Salt, Sugars (Sugar, Dextrose, Maltodextrin), Monosodium Glutamate, Dehydrated Jalapeno, Spices, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Jalapeno Extract, Sodium Erythorbate, Yeast Extract, Sodium Nitrite, Natural Smoke Flavour. Allergen Warnings: Soy
Alberta’s locally sourced beef is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. The cattle are guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to graze on grass. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The texture of this jerky is chopped and formed. As a result, two ingredient ratings are deducted without a natural whole sliced strip of jerky.
There are some healthy ingredients added, such as dehydrated jalapeno, spices, and jalapeno extract.
The sugar level is excellent at only 1 gram of sugar per 30 grams of jerky. The salt level is quite high at 590mg of salt per 30 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite as both sodium erythorbate and sodium nitrite are used as preservatives to lose a rating.
This jerky does not qualify to be MSG-free, as the flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used outright to lose a rating. The highly processed cheap flavour enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein is used to lose another rating.
Bad (3/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
BIG CHIEF MEAT SNACKS – JALAPENO BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell very little, if anything. The jerky is chopped and formed, and it is uniform in size, shape, and thickness. They are little squares sliced to a medium thickness. There is a slight bit of oily residue left on your fingers handling these jerky strips.
When I bite into the jerky I am met with a solid amount of both salt and pepper, a very favourable start. The garlic flavour is also coming through quite well, along with the natural beef. Even though it is chopped and formed, the natural beef flavour is coming across nicely.
Now for the most alluring flavour of this jerky, which brings the ‘addiction factorization’ over the top, the absolutely spectacularly bold flavour of the jalapeño. Sorry Stéphane, I couldn’t resist. Sue me for plagiarism. I love that ‘new term’. It fits very well in my description of this jerky. A most painfully obvious 10/10. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this jalapeno beef jerky flavour from Big Chief Meat Snacks: “Thanks Paul for the terrific taste review. In general, chopped and formed jerky is not our favourite texture to review. However, Big Chief Meat Snacks knocks it out of the park here. There is a decent level of spiciness present that leaves you wanting more. The overall taste profile just works here, being well-balanced accompanied by a nice little kick of heat. A very enthusiastic two thumbs up!!👍👍”
This 2.8 ounce/80 gram bag of jerky cost $6.50. That works out to $2.31 an ounce, which rates at a cheap price.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
The resealable plastic bag has everything imprinted directly on the bag, both on the front and back. There are no labels affixed to this bag. A graphic is displayed on the back of a cow’s head that cleverly has the B from the Big Chief logo.
A slogan on this bag could be “Big Taste. Big Adventure.”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Chopped and Formed”, “Excellent Source of Protein”, “Gluten Free”, and “Product of Canada.
The only bag category missing is a transparent window to view the actual jerky. As per Canadian law, French translations are provided. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin icons are displayed. Commendably, a telephone number is displayed for customer inquiries.
Order their jerky online: www.bigchiefmeatsnacks.com
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