On the back of the Old Trapper jerky bag, they describe how they have over 40 years of experience making jerky. They explain how the finest ingredients are used and then smoked with natural wood. In 2016, Old Trapper embarked on its most ambitious expansion yet when it broke ground on a new 80,000 square foot manufacturing facility at its headquarters in Forest Grove, Oregon.
Today, Old Trapper claims that they are the country’s second-largest beef jerky manufacturer. Their new facility is now fully operational, and they’re ready to take the next big step in a company story that began in a humble grocery store in 1969. This Old Trapper jerky brand name is distributed by Old Trapper Smoked Products, Inc., and it is located in Forest Grove, Oregon.
The next review for Old Trapper will focus on a 10 ounce/283 gram bag of their Hot & Spicy beef jerky. This bag was purchased at a Target store in Oxnard, California.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Brown Sugar, Water, Salt, Flavorings, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Vinegar, Sodium Nitrite
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have partial free range access to graze on grass. As a result, the highest ingredient rating awarded is a Good (8/10) rating.
The liquid marinade consists of just plain old water.
The vague term flavorings is used, which may contain both healthy and unhealthy ingredients.
The sugar level is a little high at 6 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 4 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky for a Hot & Spicy based flavor as we have here. The salt level is high at 590mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose another rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to be sodium nitrite free, as sodium nitrite is used outright as a preservative to lose a rating. This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added because the cheap, highly processed flavor enhancer hydrolyzed corn protein is used to lose another rating.
Fair (4/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
OLD TRAPPER – HOT & SPICY BEEF JERKY (RECIPE #2)
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag, I smell both vinegar and what I believe is smoke. The pieces are medium to large in size, and they are sliced to a medium thickness. The jerky is softish, and a bit moist, and the jerky leaves ever so slight an oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into the strips, I immediately pick up on the salt at a very prominent level, sweet, but well within reason, garlic, pepper, and the definitive kick of the spice that has been incorporated into this jerky flavor. The kick, at least to this point, is decent but not insanely hot. This jerky is an enjoyable snack with a kick, but, as Mark said to me on Friday, and I concur, there is no real “Wow!!” factor to this flavor. Therefore I am inclined to rate this jerky as a 9/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
The Old Trapper – Hot & Spicy Beef Jerky is flavorful. I first notice its sweet and salty flavor; the smokiness really makes the beefy flavor shines. The aroma is kind of mild, and the texture has some pleasant chewiness. This jerky is nicely balanced between the salt, sweet, sour, and spiciness.
In my case, I personally find lots of “Wow” factor, the spiciness is very present, and it builds up without ever going overboard. As I taste the red pepper, I can pick up on each and every delicious note. My taste buds are wide awake and ready to savor and appreciate more of this beautiful jerky and its exquisite flavor profile.
I am really pleased with this Old Trapper – Hot & Spicy Beef Jerky I’ve enjoyed every moment of this experience. I kept coming back, as I would only taste a little bite or two at a time to make it last longer. I especially appreciate the moment, where the red pepper hits, and all of a sudden, a symphony of flavor is playing in your mouth. I am at a 10/10 Taste Rating and probably more, if I could.
Here is what Mark had to say about this hot beef jerky flavor from Old Trapper: “Thanks Stéphane and Paul for the honest taste reviews. I am in Paul’s camp here. True that this flavor is not all that hot & spicy but hot enough to not be an issue. My biggest issue is that the beef has a slightly processed taste to it but not all that much.”
“As with Paul, while I found this flavor enjoyable, there is no real ‘wow’ factor for me here either. The overall taste profile is somewhat simple with a decent texture and works well for the masses not going overboard in the heat. With Paul at a 9 rating, Stéphane at a 10 rating, and myself at an 8 rating, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 10 ounce/283 gram bag of jerky costs $12.99. That equates $1.30 per ounce, which rates as a cheap price. Beef jerky sold in larger quantities tends to have a lower price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This clear resealable plastic bag has everything imprinted directly on the bag, both on the front and back. There are no labels affixed to this bag. The logo is of a man who appears to be wearing a beaver cap. This man is referred to as the mysterious Old Trapper who lives in the forests of Western Oregon.
A slogan printed on this bag is “Naturally Smoked Since 1949”. The only fact printed is “Naturally Smoked”.
Some missing bag categories are there is quite a bit of unused space and no blurb about this jerky.
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