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 teriyaki flavored beef biltong. This biltong is described as having a blend of spices added, giving biltong its flavorful taste. The 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 – TERIYAKI BILTONG
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell nothing. The biltong is shaped pretty much exactly as all other biltong, thin and rather long strips, similar to bacon in size. The biltong is a bit shiny, leaving a slight oily residue on your fingertips.
When I bite into the biltong I am met immediately with a solid kick of salt, as per most other biltong. Sweet is not a common byproduct of biltong, and this biltong is no different. I also pick up on some garlic and the unmistakable flavor of biltong. Most biltong also has coriander as an ingredient, but I am not tasting any. I am not picking up any of the teriyaki flavor, which should cost a point, even though my personal bias is preferring this flavor to your typical teriyaki sweetness.
As with most, if not all biltong, there is some fat on the biltong, which absorbs the marinade better, so it tastes even better. In conclusion, I am comfortable grading this particular biltong as a 9/10, only deducting a point because I do not pick up on any teriyaki flavor. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
The Simms – Teriyaki Beef Biltong tastes like most other biltong. This biltong is rather salty and this may be an issue with some people. I find the saltiness is at such level that it interferes with the flavor profile, as it takes away from the other flavors. The texture and aroma are in line with most biltong and therefore, they are unremarkable.
Mos importantly, I am not detecting any Teriyaki flavoring or taste and I am not picking up on any Asian flair either for this matter.
This Simms – Teriyaki Beef Biltong would taste fine as an Original and it falls flat as a Teriyaki flavor. I rate this jerky 7/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this teriyaki beef biltong flavor from Simms: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the professional taste reviews. You guys nailed this review. Teriyaki is a very peculiar flavor for biltong. Normally, biltong has very little to no sugar and the flavor teriyaki implies that there should be some sweetness present. As with you guys, I detect next to no teriyaki flavor.”
“With the lack of teriyaki flavor and no ‘wow’ factor, I am included to award an 8 taste rating. With Paul at a 9 rating, 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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