Circle K is a global chain of convenience stores known for its wide range of snacks, beverages, basic groceries, and fuel stations. The stores are typically designed for quick in-and-out shopping experiences, offering various products for customers on the go. Circle K locations can often be found in urban areas, along highways, and in suburban neighborhoods. Inside, you’ll find a selection of soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee, and snacks like chips, candy bars, and jerky. In addition to food and beverages, they often stock everyday essentials like toiletries, batteries, and over-the-counter medications.
One distinctive aspect of Circle K is its emphasis on customer loyalty programs and promotions. Many locations offer rewards programs where customers can earn points on purchases that can be redeemed for discounts or free items. Circle K also frequently runs promotions and deals on popular items, encouraging repeat business. This Circle K jerky brand is distributed under the name Circle K Stores Inc., and it is located in Tempe, Arizona. An unknown private labeler makes this jerky.
The first review on Circle K will focus on a 2.85 ounce/80 gram bag of Teriyaki flavored beef jerky. The bag was purchased at a Circle K store in Toledo, Ohio.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Beef Broth, Sugar, Brown Sugar, Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Rice, Salt), Contains 2% or less of Fructose, Salt, Natural Flavors, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Maltodextrin, Disodium Inosinate & Guanylate, Sodium Erythorbate, Paprika Oleoresin, Sodium Nitrite. Allergen Warnings: Soy
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have 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 consists of just plain old water.
There are no healthy ingredients listed except for the vague term flavors, which can contain healthy and unhealthy ingredients.
The sugar level is great at 0 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is sky high at 790mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky. While minimally processed sea salt is used, processed table salt weighs more by weight to lose a rating.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite added, as sodium nitrite is used outright along with sodium erythorbate to lose a rating.
This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added as the highly processed, cheap flavor enhancer hydrolyzed corn protein is used to lose a rating. The flavor enhancers disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate are used, which work synergistically to enhance flavor to lose another rating.
Bad (3/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
CIRCLE K – TERIYAKI BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell very little. The jerky is small to medium in size, and it is sliced rather thin. The jerky is shiny, easy to chew, and not too rigid. There is a slight oily residue left on your fingers.
The first flavors I encounter are salt, at a decent level, along with pepper, also at a decent level, along with a very manageable sweet, unlike most teriyaki flavors, which are typically too heavy on the sweet. I also detect slight garlic and onion at light but noticeable levels.
As I consume more of this jerky I am picking up on a better than usual teriyaki flavor, not too sweet, yet still a discernible teriyaki flavor.
This has been a favorable taste experience, and I cannot find any complaints about it.
As a Circle K product, I was expecting a very pedestrian teriyaki flavor, but I have been pleasantly surprised with this overall taste portfolio, so I am quite confident giving this a 9/10. I will only deduct a point because of the lack of a “Wow” factor. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this Teriyaki beef jerky flavor from Circle K: “Thanks Paul for the positive taste review. We do not see eye to eye her. This jerky screams of ‘gas station’ jerky. Granted, ‘gas station’ jerky has improved considerably in the last 15 years. The beef has a slightly processed taste, unlike homemade beef jerky. The texture does not seem natural, and there is no well-defined grain to tear these strips. I agree with Paul that the sweetness is manageable for a sweet based flavor like the one we have here with teriyaki.”
“There is some resemblance of a teriyaki flavor, but not all that much. It’s mostly the soy and sweetness. What’s lacking is Asian flair, such as pineapple, ginger, or sesame. This mild taste profile is well-balanced but lacks any ‘wow’ flavor. With Paul at a 9 rating and myself at a 6 rating, a Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 2.85 ounce/80 gram bag of jerky sells for $6.65, which equates to $2.33 an ounce. That rates as a cheap price.
Bag Review
This orange resealable plastic bag has everything imprinted on the bag, both on the front and back. There are no labels affixed to this bag. The Circle K logo is printed on the back of the bag.
A slogan printed on this bag is “We Guarantee You’ll Love It!” Some facts printed on this bag are “Slow Cooked”, “Hickory Smoked”, “13g Protein”, “6g Total Carbs”, “80 Calories”, “0g Sat Fat”, “500mg Sodium”, “6g Sugars”, and “Gluten Free”.
There is no missing bag categories. A blurb about Circle K is displayed on the back. One could argue that there is too much unused space on the bag.
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