At Baja Vida, being bold is a way of life. 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.
Their snacks and seasonings are crafted by their Michelin-star chef, pushing boundaries with bold, Baja-inspired flavors created with only authentic, preservative-free ingredients. All Baja Vida products were thoughtfully made with quality in mind. 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 Salsa Fresca flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as using authentic flavors of Baja-style salsa infused into a perfectly tender, beefy bite. The bag was purchased at a gas station in Marysville, Michigan.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Brown Sugar, Tamari Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar), Tomato Sauce (Fresh Vine Ripened Tomatoes, Sea Salt, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Natural Flavors, Spices, Citric Acid), Water, Jalapenos, Honey, White Onions, Granulated Garlic, Granulated Onion, Lime Juice, Sea Salt, Dried Cilantro, Ground Pepper, Garlic Puree, Cilantro, Citric Acid, 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, healthy lime juice, water, a good brand of tomato sauce, and healthy honey.
Some healthy ingredients added are granulated garlic, black pepper, granulated onion, turmeric, tamarind, cardamom, jalapeno peppers, onions, cilantro powder, cilantro, garlic puree, and avocado powder.
The sugar level is acceptable at 3 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is very low at 150mg 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 – SALSA FRESCA BEEF JERKY
I smell a complex blend of fragrances reminiscent of carne asada. These strips are a mix of medium and small size sliced to a medium thickness. The texture is somewhat soft and tender, being easy to chew. No oily residue is left on your fingers handling these jerky strips.
I am met with a myriad of different flavors, which include light salt, mild sweetness, light lime, mild soy, and plenty of different spices, with cilantro being the strongest. Not only does this jerky smell like carne asada, but it tastes nearly identical to a carne asada flavor. Another name for salsa fresca is pico de gallo, which is common in Mexican cuisine.
The cut of beef used is brisket, which is known for absorbing marinades well. Not so prominent is the taste of tomatoes, which is the main ingredient of salsa fresca. No single flavor stands out, with a well-balanced taste profile. This flavor tastes very good, but I cannot say that it tastes like salsa fresca, aka pico de gallo.
This 2.5 ounce/72 gram bag of jerky sells for $6.19, which equates to $2.48 an ounce. That rates at a cheap price.
Very Good (9/10) – 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 pictures of a man doing various sporting activities.
Some slogans may be “Fresh. Vibrant. Cool!”, “Fresh. Flavorful. Exciting.”, and “Flavors For Every Experience In Life”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Gluten Free”, “No Nitrates or Nitrates Added”, “Beef Used Has No Added Hormones”, “No Added MSG”, 10G Protein Per Serving”, “Sweet – 1. Heat – 3”, and “Minimally Processed, No Artificial Ingredients”.
The only missing bag category is a transparent window to view the jerky. A 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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