This Simms brand of jerky 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. The Simms is known for offering a variety of food products, including snacks and convenience foods. This jerky is believed to be manufactured by the private label company Marfood USA, located in Taylor, Michigan.
The next review on the Simms will be on a 2.75 ounce/77.96 gram bag of their Bold Hickory flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as having a bold and smoky taste that is hard to resist! The bag was purchased at an Aldi store in North Tonawanda, New York.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Sugar, Gluten-Free Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar), Water, Smoke Flavor (Maltodextrin and Hickory Smoke Flavor), Celery Powder (Cultured Celery Powder, Sea Salt), Salt, Vegetable Oil, Natural Flavorings (Includes Paprika. Allergen Warnings: Soy
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed 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 water, a gluten-free soy sauce, and vegetable oil.
Some healthy ingredients added are natural flavorings, which include paprika. The vague term natural flavorings is listed, which can contain both healthy and unhealthy ingredients.
The sugar level is high at 7 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is acceptable at 310mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite. Instead, salt is the main preservative, and to a lesser degree celery powder. Admirably, this jerky does qualify to have no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
SIMMS – BOLD HICKORY BEEF JERKY
When I open the bag, I smell what seems more like pork than beef. The jerky strips are mostly tiny pieces of shreds. No fat is visible, and the texture is dry but not tough. There is no oily residue left of your fingers handling this jerky.
I am immediately met with a strong sweetness that dulls the natural beef flavor. A noticeable smoky flavor is present, but it tastes more similar to a bond fire than the classic flavor of hickory wood. At mild levels are the soy and saltiness. Apart from that, there is not much else going on with this rather simple flavor profile.
Having the word ‘bold’ in the flavor name is a misnomer. If bold sweet was the goal, then it was achieved. The texture of these beef shreds leaves something to be desired, which has almost no resemblance to chewing real whole muscle beef jerky strips. Overall, while not bad this jerky is nothing special, and I have no desire to finish the bag because of the sweetness.
This 2.75 ounce/77.96 gram bag costs $3.99. That works out to a very cheap price of $1.45 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 is an illustration of a cow printed on the front.
There is no slogan printed on this bag. Some facts printed are “Artisan Jerky”, “Smoke Flavor Added”, “Seasoned, Tender Cuts of Premium Beef Jerky”, “No Preservatives”, “Gluten Free”, “Good Source of Protein”, Holy Now Mister Cow?”, “Mild”, “90 Calories”, “1g Sat Fat”, “310mg Sodium”, and “7g Sugars”.
All bag categories are covered. There is a small blurb printed on the back about this jerky. 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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