The Hsin Tung Yang brand name was launched in 1967 by the former chairman, Mr. Mai Hsin-Fu, based out of Taiwan. In 1980, they started selling their jerky in the United States to Asian supermarkets. In 1985, Mr. Mai Hsin-Fu unexpectedly passed away due to high blood pressure at 44. His sudden death shocked the whole industry. Despite his death, his passionate work ethic remains with the company today.
This Hsin Tung Yang jerky brand is distributed under the name of Hsin Tung Yang Foods Co. and is located in San Fransisco, California.
The next review on Hsin Tung Yang will be on a 6 ounce/170 gram bag of their Spicy Grilled pork jerky. This flavor is described as a classic soft pork jerky that balances sweetness with a mild spicy bite. The bag of jerky was purchased at a 99 Ranch Market store in Hackensack, New Jersey.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Pork, Sugar, Gluten-Free Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar), Water, Spices, Celery Powder (Cultured Celery Powder, Sea Salt), Salt, Natural Flavorings (Includes Paprika). Allergen Warnings: Soy
The pork used is guaranteed to be raised ethically with no antibiotics and no added hormones. This pork is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to roam outside. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The liquid marinade consists of just water and gluten-free soy sauce.
The only healthy ingredient listed is spices. There is the vague term natural flavorings listed, which may contain unhealthy ingredients but includes healthy paprika.
The sugar level is very high at 9 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 4 grams of sugar or under per 28 grams of jerky for a spicy based flavor as we have here. The salt level is acceptable at 340mg per 28 grams of jerky.
As advertised, there are no unhealthy preservatives used, and this jerky is confirmed as having no sodium nitrite. Instead, salt is the main preservative used and celery powder to a lesser extent. Admirably, this jerky has no MSG added.
Good (8/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
HTY – SPICY GRILLED PORK JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell pork. The pieces are rather large in size and lighter in hue than most jerky we have reviewed in the past. The pieces are soft and chewy, not my favorite texture. The first flavor that jumps out at me is the strong sweet flavor, another knock I have against this jerky. Already two strikes, not a strong start. As I consume more, I am picking up on some other flavors, that being salt, garlic, and a slight kick in the background. None of these flavors can compare to the intense sweet and is clouding the other flavors.
This flavor is not really impressing me so much, there is too high a concentration of sweet. I can, with a clear conscience, not award any more than a 7/10, if even that may be too generous, but we will go with a 7/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
The HTY Spicy Grill Pork Jerky needs to be sampled a few times to better develop a taste for or to appreciate, in my own opinion. I wasn’t sold on this jerky at first and after a few tries over time, I started to enjoy it. The jerky is a little spicy and sweet. There is also a significant taste of what appears to be sesame. The texture is soft and tender, and it gives this jerky a certain richness.
Overall, this HTY Spicy Grill Pork Jerky is a bit strange at first, and does get better over time after a few bites. I’d rate it between 7 or 8/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Spicy Grilled pork jerky flavor from Hsin Tung Yang: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the honest taste reviews. I lean more towards Paul here, especially regarding the sweetness level. There is enough spicy kick here to warrant a spicy flavor name. Other than that, there is not much else with this taste profile other than the sweetness being a distraction. While decent tasting with a light level of paprika, there is nothing memorable with this flavor. It is unanimous with all three of us awarding a Decent (7/10) taste rating.”
This 6 ounce/170 gram bag sells for $11.99. That works out to $2.00 an ounce, which rates as a cheap price.
Bag Review
This orange plastic resealable bag has everything imprinted directly on the bag, both on the front and back. HTY stands for Hsin Tung Yang.
There are no slogans printed on this bag. Some facts printed are “Gluten-Free”, “No Preservatives”, and “Made in USA”.
There appears to be Mandarin translations for some of the things printed on the bag. There are no apparent slogans, unless you include “Since 1967”. Some facts printed on this bag are “No MSG Added”, “Product U.S.A.”, and “Refrigerate After Opening”.
All bag categories are covered. The only complaint is that there is a fair amount of unused space on the bag. A good blurb is printed on the back about Hsin Tung Yang and their history with jerky. Some translations are provided in what I think is Mandarin.
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