Baja Jerky was founded in 2018 by two friends, Brenton Hatch and Bryan Schafer, who was inspired by the flavors and culture of Baja California, Mexico. They wanted to create a snack that was not only delicious but also made with simple, wholesome ingredients. They are explorers, adventurers, and out-of-the-box creators who believe in shattering limits and embracing whatever journey lies ahead. They created Baja Vida to share their sense of wonder for magical places, incredible experiences, and one-of-a-kind flavors that excite the senses and feed our craving for adventure.
All Baja Vida products were thoughtfully made with quality in mind. Their Michelin-star chef crafted their snacks and seasonings, pushing boundaries with bold, Baja-inspired flavors created with only authentic, preservative-free ingredients. Chef Brandon captures the authentic flavors of Baja that excite your palate and keep you coming back for more using fresh ingredients and unique spice blends. This Baja Jerky brand is distributed under the same name as Baja Jerky, and it is located in Buena Park, California. This Baja Jerky brand is manufactured by the private label company Boyd Specialties, located in Colton, California.
The next review on Baja Jerky will focus on a 2.5 ounce/71 gram bag of Sweet Orange flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as having a vibrant taste of sun-kissed oranges, making this beef jerky a perfectly sweet and savory bite. The bag was purchased at Ollie’s discount store located in Niagara Falls, New York.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Tamari Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar), Pineapple Juice (Pineapple Juice From Concentrate [Water, Concentrated Pineapple Juice], Ascorbic Acid [Vitamin C], Vitamin E, Vitamin A), Granulated Garlic, Granulated Onion, Ginger, Ground Pepper, Sesame Oil, Sea Salt, Orange Extract (Alcohol, Water, Orange Oil), All Spice, Turmeric, Tamarind, Cardamom, Avocado Powder. Allergen Warnings: Soy
The beef used is ethically raised, meaning it is guaranteed to be free of growth hormones and additional antibiotics. The cattle are not guaranteed to have free range access to roam about and graze on grass the way nature intended. Their beef is always 100% feedlot/CAFO free. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The liquid marinade consists of a good brand of gluten free tamari sauce, water, liquid hickory smoke, healthy lemon juice, and a respected brand of Worcestershire sauce.
Some healthy ingredients added are allspice, granulated garlic, black pepper, turmeric, cardamom, and avocado powder.
The sugar level is acceptable at 4 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky for a sweet based flavor. The salt level is low at 220mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Admirably, this flavor does qualify to have no MSG added.
Very Good (9/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
BAJA JERKY – SWEET ORANGE BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell sweet. The pieces are not uniform in shape or thickness. They are all over the place, from tiny shavings to larger, thicker pieces. The jerky is soft and moist(ish). There is an ever so slight oily residue from the jerky.
The first flavors that jump out at me is both the salt and the sugar. Both are more intense than most, without actually going overboard. I also detect pepper to a lesser degree, along with garlic, onion, and natural beef.
This is surprisingly rather tasty, but I understand that brisket jerky is better quality than regular jerky. It’s a bit too sweet for me, but it is advertised as sweet, so I can’t justify taking a point away for that. As for the orange, I am not privy to why they included that in the description of their jerky, I am not tasting anything resembling anything orange, so I am inclined to deduct a point for that.
Outside of that, this is a good tasting jerky, maybe a 9/10, but I could be swayed to an 8/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
The Baja Jerky – Sweet Orange Beef Brisket Jerky is tasty. I find the aroma to be fruity, and the texture is nice and tender. The flavor profile is rich with an interesting depth of flavor, and it beautifully marries the beefy taste. The splash of acidity cuts through some of the richness and adds freshness to the product. While the taste of orange is unmistakable, it brings another dimension to this delicious jerky. The sweetness is present and anticipated without being overdone.
I really enjoy this Baja Jerky – Sweet Orange Beef Brisket Jerky, as it reminds me of a Chinese Orange Beef dish that I like. The strips of tender brisket melt in your mouth, and it is addictive. I’d rate this jerky 10/10 Taste Rating. Godspeed!
What a Great Way to Up your Vitamin C!
Here is what Mark had to say about this Sweet Orange beef jerky flavor from Baja Jerky: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the candid taste reviews. I am with Stéphane here, where Stéphane summed up this flavor eloquently. I cannot find a single fault in this sweet orange flavor. The sweetness is within reason, and the citrusy taste comes across well. For the record, Paul is not a fan of fruit. With Paul at a 9 and Stéphane and me at a 10, an Excellent (10/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 2.5 ounce/72 gram bag of jerky sells for $2.99, which equates to $1.20 an ounce. That rates at a dirt cheap price. The bag design has since been changed, which explains why Baja Jerky is sold at discount stores.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has everything imprinted on the bag, both on the front and back. The front has a picture of a cow’s head wearing sunglasses. On the back are images of men doing various sporting activities and lounging.
Some slogans may be “Fresh. Flavorful. Exciting.”, “Flavors For Every Experience In Life”, and “Sweet Citrus, Tender With A Yum!” Some facts printed on this bag are “Smoke Flavor Added”, “No Added MSG”, “10G Protein Per Serving”, “Sweet 5”, “Heat 1”, “Gluten Free”, “No Nitrates or Nitrates Added”, “Beef Used Has No Added Hormones”, “Minimally Processed, No Artificial Ingredients”, “Caution: When Consumed, Often Results In Roundhouse Kicks And Uppercut Swings!”, and “Beef Used Is All Natural Beef”.
The only missing bag category is a transparent window to view the jerky. A good blurb about Baja Jerky is printed on the back. To the credit of Baja Jerky, a toll-free phone is provided for customer inquiries.
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