Hamel’s is a family-owned business and was founded by Gaston Hamel. They have been operating in Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada, since 1962. They specialize in jerky, shipping it throughout Canada. Hamel’s has always been recognized as a friendly, organized, and easy-going environment for both customers and staff.
Hamel’s Jerky is most famous for having been sent to space aboard the space shuttle Endeavour with Julie Payette (former Governor General of Canada). Two-and-a-half pounds of Hamel’s Meats sweet and spicy jerky traveled aboard shuttle Endeavour mission STS-127. The jerky went to the International Space Station as part of a project with all five international partners introducing authentic yet space-friendly food from other countries. The partners included Canada, the United States, Russia, Japan, and the European Space Agency.
Today, this Hamel’s Own Beef Jerky brand is run by Gaston’s two sons Greg and Robert Hamel. Hamel’s Own Beef Jerky is distributed under the name of Hamel’s Meats, and it is located in Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada.
The first review on Hamel’s Own Beef jerky will focus on a 3.68 ounce/104 gram bag of their Original flavoured beef jerky. This bag was purchased at the Hamel’s Meats store in Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Water, Salt, Fructose, Sugar, Brown Sugar, Spice, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Yeast Extract, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Lactose, Smoke Flavour, Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Glycerine, Cayenne Pepper. Allergen Warnings: Soy
The Alberta AAA beef is ethically raised, meaning no growth hormones or additional antibiotics are given to the cattle. As a result, the highest ingredient rating awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The only liquid marinade listed is plain old water.
Some healthy ingredients added are spices, onion powder, and garlic powder.
The sugar level is acceptable at 2 grams of sugar per 25 grams of jerky. The salt level is also acceptable at 320mg of salt per 25 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite added as sodium nitrite is used outright as a preservative to lose a rating along with sodium erythorbate. This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added as the highly processed flavour enhancer hydrolyzed soy protein is used to lose another rating.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
HAMEL’S OWN BEEF JERKY – ORIGINAL BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell the vinegar. The jerky strips are long and thin to medium in thickness, and the jerky is dry and takes some chewing, just as our forefathers intended.
The first flavours that jump out at me are the salt, at a supreme level, very light sweet, pepper, at a solid level, along with garlic and onion, and a background kick that is not advertised in the title of the jerky, however, totally excusable. I am ridiculously enjoying this flavour. It is hitting on all cylinders, including a tasty kick that is putting this jerky out of the stratosphere, above and way beyond the clouds in the sky. Gentlemen, indubitably a 10/10.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Original beef jerky flavour from Hamel’s Own Beef Jerky: “Thanks Paul for the enthusiastic taste review. I agree on all counts with you. For the record, this jerky bag may have included two different flavours. This jerky is absolutely delicious. The ratio of onion powder to garlic powder is perfect. There is a certain spice used that is hitting me on the head, and for the life of me, I cannot pinpoint.”
“True in that there is a slight kick to this flavour, even intensifying the flavour more. Overall, this original flavour taste profile is wonderfully balanced. You can tell Hamel’s Own Beef Jerky has been making jerky for a long time now. Take a bow Hamel’s Own Beef Jerky. A well-deserved Excellent (10/10) taste rating will be awarded. A very enthusiastic two thumbs up!!👍👍.”
This 3.68 ounce/105 gram bag of jerky cost $7.35. That works out to $2.00 an ounce, which rates at a cheap price.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This non-resealable clear plastic bag has everything imprinted directly onto the bag, both on the front and back. The bag is vacuum-sealed, the best way to keep jerky fresh tasting.
Some slogans printed on this bag are “World Famous Jerky” and “Family Business Since 1962”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Made With AAA Alberta Beef” and a “Certificate of Authenticity” of this jerky being sent to space.
Some bag categories missing are a blurb about Hamel’s Own Beef Jerky or this flavour, a Canadian Department Agriculture (CDA) inspected stamp, ingredient list, and French translations. To the credit of Hamel’s Own Beef Jerky, a phone number is provided for customer inquiries.
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