This Simms brand of biltong is distributed by Aldi Inc., and it is based out of Batavia, Illinois. Aldi is a very large company with grocery stores located in at least 18 countries around the world. This biltong is manufactured by the private label company Marfood USA, located in Taylor, Michigan.
The next review on the Simms biltong will be on a 2.25 ounce/64 gram bag of their original flavored beef biltong. This bag was purchased at an Aldi store in North Tonawanda, New York.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Vinegar, Natural Smoke Flavor (Water, Hickory Smoke Concentrate, Contains 2% or Less of: Salt, Raisin Juice Concentrate, and Spices.
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not 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 Good (8/10) rating.
The liquid marinade is comprised of healthy vinegar, interesting raisin juice concentrate, and liquid hickory smoke.
The only healthy ingredient added is spices, which likely include coriander.
As a general rule, biltong is healthier than jerky because no enzymes are destroyed in the drying process around room temperature, where the intact enzymes help break down the beef in our bodies.
The sugar level is perfect at having no sugar per 28 grams of biltong. The salt level is sort of high at 425mg of salt per 28 grams of biltong to lose a rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of biltong.
This biltong does qualify to have no sodium nitrite. Instead, salt is the main preservative, and to a lesser degree, healthy vinegar. Commendably, this biltong does qualify to have no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
SIMMS – SMOKY BEEF BILTONG
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell soy. Not much else. The pieces are medium to large in size and are cut to a medium thickness. The pieces are shiny and oily, which oily is not common for biltong. There is an oily residue left on your fingers. There is also a fair amount of fat, which typically absorbs more of the marinade, so the fatty part has a more intense flavor.
I am a huge fan of biltong, and I am thoroughly enjoying this tasty biltong treat.
I’m not sure if I am picking up a smoky flavor at all, but other than that, this is a very VERY tasty treat, worthy of a 10/10 taste wise, but I feel I must deduct a point because I didn’t pick up on any smoke flavor. Discuss amongst yourselves folks, I am ripe for persuading you to give this biltong a 10/10.
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
I wasn’t impressed with this biltong, as I’ve seen some technical issues and inconsistency. The taste is OK, but I notice the grease and fat rolling on the tongue. The smoke flavor is overdeveloped and feels more like a method of preservation or masking other flavors than simply flavoring the product.
However, my main issue is quality control. I’ve found some inedible pieces such as blobs of fat and connective tissues. This is unpleasant and directly undermines the reputation of the maker. If a company is willing and prepared to compromise with an inferior product, what else will they sacrifice for a few dollars…
I am deeply disappointed. I feel this company is mistaking its customers for scavengers and buzzards.
I’ll give them 7/10 Taste Rating, and I’ll quit here, as I am inclined to provide them with a much lesser score with each passing moment.
Here is what Mark had to say about this smoke beef biltong flavor from Simms: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the diverging taste reviews. I lean more towards Stéphane here. I too found that the smoked taste came out in spades. Naming the flavor Smoke is odd, whereas normally, a smoked flavor would be named Hickory or Mesquite. Liquid hickory smoke is used, but the flavor of hickory does not come across well. The texture is off, where some strips are thicker than others, and as a result, tastes different.”
“Using raisin juice concentrate is an interesting choice, but I find that the coriander and/or cloves could be stronger tasting. The vinegar level is good, but I am by no means blown away by this biltong. With Paul at a 9, Stéphane at a 7, and myself at an 8, a Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 2.25 ounce/64 gram bag costs $3.99. That works out to a very cheap price of $1.77 an ounce.
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has everything imprinted onto the bag itself, both on the front and back. No labels are affixed to this bag. There are light pictures in the background of what appears to be Africa with elephants and giraffes. A high resolution of biltong strips is displayed.
There is no slogan printed on this bag. Some facts printed are “Excellent Source of Protein”, “16g Protein”, “0g Carbs”, “90 Calories”, “0g Sat Fat”, “425mg Sodium”, “0g Total Sugar”, “0 Grams Carbohydrates”, “No Preservatives”, “Nitrate Free”, and “No MSG”.
The only missing bag category is a window to view the actual biltong. There are good blurbs printed on the back and front about biltong. Admirably, Aldi Inc. offers a “Twice as Nice Guarantee”, where they will both replace your product and refund your money if you are not satisfied.
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