Far West Fungi, established in 1982, is a family-run business specializing in organic specialty mushrooms and mushroom-derived products. Their Shiitake Mushroom Jerky is a notable offering, crafted by hand from organic shiitake mushrooms grown on their family farm. This vegan and gluten-free snack features a savory, smoky flavor with a meaty texture, enhanced by a gluten-free tamari soy sauce, sake, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, black pepper, and chili flakes. Beyond being a standalone treat, it can substitute for bacon bits in dishes like cobb salads or baked potatoes.
Far West Fungi’s commitment to sustainability and quality is evident in their cultivation practices, with their farm located in Moss Landing, California, encompassing 60,000 square feet of growing space on 8.2 acres of land. They balance modern and traditional growing techniques to maintain quality mushrooms while ensuring minimal environmental impact. This Far West Fungi jerky brand is distributed under the name Far West Fungi, Inc., located in South San Francisco, California.
The first review on Far West Fungi will focus on a 2 ounce/56 gram bag of Original flavored shiitake mushroom jerky. This flavor is described as having a great meaty texture and just enough peppery spice. The bag was purchased at a Whole Foods Market in South Lake Tahoe, California.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Shiitake Mushrooms, Gluten-Free Tamari Soy Sauce 50% Reduced Sodium (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Alcohol, Rice Vinegar, Lactic Acid), Sake (Rice Sake, Water, Koji [Sake, Koji]), Balsamic Vinegar, Brown Sugar, Water, Granulated Garlic, Black Pepper, Chili Flakes. Allergen Warnings: Soy
These organic 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 an Excellent (10/10) rating.
The liquid marinade is comprised of a respected brand of gluten-free Tamari soy sauce 50% reduced sodium, Japanese wine sake, healthy balsamic vinegar, and water.
Some healthy ingredients added are granulated garlic, black pepper, and chili flakes.
The sugar level is on the high side at 6 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 low at 190mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite. Instead, salt is the main preservative used, and to a lesser extent balsamic vinegar. Admirably, this jerky has no MSG added.
Very Good (9/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
FAR WEST FUNGI – SHIITAKE MUSHROOM JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell mushrooms, and not much else. The pieces are medium in size, and they are sliced quite thin. The jerky has a darker hue than most, which likely means a fair amount of marinade was used. The texture is fine, along the lines of “real jerky”, and it leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into the “jerky” I taste salt, at a very good level, next to no sweet, also a good thing, along with garlic and soy. I can definitely detect that it is not beef, but surprisingly I kind of like the flavor, at least from a “mushroom jerky” perspective.
Full disclosure, I realize I am obligated to (at least) attempt not to be biased, but I feel strongly that mushrooms have no business being called “jerky”, but as mushroom “jerky” goes, this is a step up from mushroom “jerky” we have reviewed previously.
Therefore, while I cannot bring myself to consider this a “ringing endorsement”, I can certainly see why vegetarians, or vegans, can appreciate this attempt at “jerky”. Therefore, I am duly inclined to rate this “jerky” at an 8 or a 9/10, more an 8.5/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
Far West Fungi – Shiitake Mushroom Jerky, this jerky is interesting, the aroma is soy sauce forward. There are many layers of flavor, the jerky is reasonably salty, slightly sweet, and spicy, and this combination pleasantly compliments the product. There are loads of umami goodness, and the garlic nicely enriches the flavor profile.
One of my concerns lies with the level of soy sauce in the marinade. I find it competes with the Shiitake flavor, where the mushroom flavor is pushed in the background, and the soy sauce takes over the product.
Overall, I did enjoy this Far West Fungi – Shiitake Mushroom Jerky. I simply wish the jerky would be more accentuated on the Shiitake as a flavor instead of a medium or vehicle. I’d rate this mushroom jerky 8/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Original shiitake mushroom jerky flavor from Far West Fungi “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the candid taste reviews. As a disclaimer, I am not much of a fan of mushrooms, especially shiitake mushrooms. What I enjoyed about this mushroom jerky is what Stéphane complained about. The bite starts with a medium to strong level of soy sauce with light sweetness, light garlic, and mild saltiness. Then the shiitake flavor begins to take hold, which I will call an umami flavor. Stéphane was correct in that the shiitake flavor is drowned out by the strong soy and other flavors, but make no mistake, there is a dominating but not overwhelming taste of shiitake mushrooms.”
“The overall taste profile tastes very good and aligns with what you expect from an Original flavor. This is perhaps one of the driest mushroom textures we have reviewed to date and is similar to a beef jerky texture minus the grain to tear the strips. With Paul at an 8.5 (not really allowed), Stéphane at an 8 rating, and me at a 9 rating for the wrong reason, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 2 ounce/56 gram bag of jerky costs $9.29, which equates to $4.65 an ounce. That rates as an average price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable bag has everything imprinted on the front and back, with a label affixed to the back explaining the danger of eating Cadmium. There are multiple illustrations of mushrooms on this bag.
There are no slogans printed on this bag. Some facts printed are “California Grown By Far West Fungi”, “Our Fresh Shiitake”, “Cooked”, “Peppered”, “Dried”, “Tasty”, “Natural”, “Healthy”, “Vegan”, and “Gluten-Free”.
There only missing bag categort is a link to their website. A good blurb about mushroom jerky and Far West Fungi is printed on the back.
Leave a Comment