Vegky is a brand dedicated to providing a unique and healthy snacking alternative with its mushroom jerky, made from shiitake mushroom stems. This plant-based jerky offers a meaty texture that convincingly mimics traditional beef jerky, making it a popular choice among vegans and meat-eaters looking for a nutritious snack. Vegky’s jerky is high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants and boasts various health benefits, including antimicrobial properties and support for skin, cardiovascular, and skeletal health.
The brand prides itself on using non-GMO ingredients and avoiding MSG, ensuring a clean and wholesome product. Vegky offers a range of flavors, including the popular Original Shiitake Mushroom Jerky and Spicy Shiitake Mushroom Jerky, catering to diverse taste preferences. Recognized for their commitment to quality and health, Vegky’s products are a guilt-free snack option that satisfies cravings while promoting responsible snacking. This Vegky jerky brand is distributed under the name Vegky LLC, located in Pine Brook, New Jersey. The actual manufacturer of this jerky is unknown, as the bag states it is a product from Taiwan.
The first review on Vegky will focus on a 2.46 ounce/70 gram bag of Spicy Chili flavored shiitake mushroom jerky. This bag was purchased at the Jerky Jerky store in Fresno, California.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Shiitake Mushroom Stem, Salt, Soy Sauce, Soy Bean Oil, Sugar, Five Spice Powder, Chili Powder, Chili Flakes, White Pepper, Potassium Sorbate. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
Shiitake mushrooms are a good source of protein, fiber, and antioxidants and are cholesterol free. Mushrooms are a great source (other than the sun) of vitamin D and are high in iron and selenium. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The liquid marinade is comprised of an unknown brand of soy sauce and not so healthy soybean oil.
Some healthy ingredients added are five spice powder (likely star anise, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, and Szechuan peppercorn), chili powder, chili flakes, and white pepper.
The sugar level is high 6 grams of sugar per 35 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 4 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams of jerky for a hot based flavor. The salt level is somewhat high at 480mg of salt per 35 grams of jerky to lose another rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite because similarly unhealthy potassium sorbate is used outright as a preservative to lose a rating. Admirably, there is no MSG added.
Average (5/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
VEGKY – SPICY CHILI MUSHROOM JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell sugar. The “jerky” is sliced small and thin. The “jerky” is soft and dry, leaving no oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into the “jerky” I taste almost no salt, but a fair amount of sweet, and very light pepper. I am detecting the heat, but it is rather mild.
I am by no means enjoying this “jerky”, it is rather bland. It is slightly better than most mushroom “jerky’s” I have tried before, but it still comes up quite short in the tasty category. I’m trying to be game, but I maintain that mushrooms, even though I am an avid fan of most mushrooms, shouldn’t be considered “jerky”.
This “jerky” is very pedestrian, but I can go no higher than a 6 or 7/10, you decide. I’m tapping out. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
I was somewhat puzzled with the flavor of this Vegky Spicy Chili Shiitake Mushroom Jerky. Once Mark sent a picture of the bag, it made more sense. I was kind of stuck on its herbal flavor. It is quite strong and overpowers the taste of mushrooms. Although the five spice or cinnamon, star anise, fennel, and other spices are very strong, it sort of grew on me after a few bites. I praise the addition of a hint of spiciness, as it gives a bit more depth. The aroma is really pungent, and the texture is favorable.
I can understand how this would not be everyone’s forte and could be unpleasant to others. The texture is nice and an acceptable alternative to real jerky. While it likely won’t make much difference to most vegans or vegetarians and their taste buds, the strong flavor is more of a distraction to the fact this is dried mushrooms and not traditional jerky.
I’ve enjoyed these mushroom stems, but perhaps they are not enough to develop a habit. I’d rate these 8/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Spicy Chili beef jerky flavor from Vegky “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the candid taste reviews. As a disclaimer, I am not much of a fan of mushrooms, especially shiitake mushrooms. However, I can judge the spices. I far more agree with Stéphane here. The five spices (guessing star anise, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, and Szechuan peppercorn) are strong tasting, which is not all that bad of a thing. There is sweetness present, but it’s not all that distracting. Unlike Paul, I do seem to detect a moderately strong taste of saltiness. As for the heat level, it is at a light level.”
“Even if this were beef jerky, I am pretty certain that my opinion would not change all that much. With the five spices, soy, and sweetness, the taste has an Asian flair. With Paul and I at a 7 rating and Stéphane at an 8, a Decent (7/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
I agree 100% that this original flavor tastes way too sweet. This flavor comes across as a teriyaki flavor instead of an original flavor with soy sauce, pineapple juice, and of course sweetness. The black pepper and garlic levels are arguably too low to give this original flavor some flair. The excessive sweetness drowns out the natural beef flavor, which is supposed to be the hallmark of an original flavor. I too agree that there is no ‘wow’ factor and am comfortable awarding a Decent (7/10) taste rating.”
This 2.46 ounce/70 gram bag of jerky sells online for $12.00, which equates to $4.88 an ounce. That rates as an expesnsive price.
Bag Review
This resealable bag has everything imprinted on the front and back, with no labels affixed to this bag. There are multiple illustrations of mushrooms on this bag.
A slogan printed on this bag is “Vegan Ain’t Boring!”. Some facts printed are “Non GMO”, “Plant Based”, “Vegan”, “For Your Health”, “For The Animals”, “For The Planet”, “Eat Mushrooms”, “6 Grams Protein”, and “12 Grams Fiber”. A separate section states “3% of Proceeds Donated to the Blue Mountain Humane Society”.
No bag categories are missing. To the credit of Vegky, an email address is provided for customer inquiries. You are encouraged to follow Vegky on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIn. A small but good blurb about mushroom jerky is printed on the back. A QR code is displayed, which links to the Vegky website.
Leave a Comment