The Feinstein family has proudly been serving The Original Maui Ribs for three generations from humble beginnings, influenced initially by Korea and the Kalbi flavourings associated with that beautiful country. Herb Feinstein brought the recipe to Canada in 1986 and started making The Original Maui sauce for family, friends, and eventually his customers.
The Original Maui jerky brand is a premium snack that offers a perfect medley of flavours. Each piece is thinly sliced, expertly smoked, and marinated in their world-famous Original Maui sauce, allowing you to take a little bit of paradise wherever you are. The company also offers a range of other products, including Maui Ribs, Maui Sauces, and Maui Pepperoni Stix, all crafted to bring Hawaii’s rich, tropical flavors to your table. The Original Maui jerky brand name is distributed by The Original Maui Ribs, and it is located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The first review on The Original Maui will focus on a 2.8 ounce/80 gram bag of their Hawaiian Classic flavoured beef jerky. This flavour is described as a fabulous snack offering a perfect medley of flavours! The bag was purchased online from Amazon.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Sugars (Sugar, Brown Sugar, Honey Powder (Maltodextrin, Honey), Powdered Molasses (Molasses, Maltodextrin), Honey, Demera Sugar), Soy Sauce Powder (Fermented Soy Sauce, Maltodextrin), Dark Soy Sauce (Water, Extract of Soya Beans, Wheat Flour, Salt, Sugar), Garlic, Salt, Spices, Caramel Color (Sulfites), Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite, Smoke. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat, Sulfites
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have 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 only liquid marinade used is an average brand of dark soy sauce. There is also honey and soy sauce in powdered form.
Some healthy ingredients added are garlic and spices.
The sugar level is a little high at 5 grams of sugar per 32 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 290mg of salt per 32 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite added as sodium nitrite is used outright, along with sodium erythorbate as preservatives to lose a rating. Admirably, there is no MSG added.
Alright (6/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
THE ORIGINAL MAUI – CLASSIC HAWAIIAN BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell natural beef, and possibly a juice, maybe pineapple or vinegar. The slices are small to medium in size and sliced to a medium thickness. The jerky is too soft in my mind, and there is no oily residue left on your fingers.
When I bite into the jerky I taste mild salt, pepper, sweet, at a manageable level, garlic, and I believe onion. I can’t honestly say that I pick up on anything remotely “Hawaiian” about this flavour, but it is appealing nonetheless. It vaguely reminds me of that “buttery” flavour apparent in a few other jerky flavours we have tried in the past, but it is mild. I am actually enjoying this flavour. To me, it closest resembles an original flavour.
Overall, a fine tasting flavour, but I believe I should deduct a point for it not really, at least to me, even vaguely tasting like anything “Hawaiian”, but I digress. I believe this flavour deserves a 9/10.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Classic Hawaiian beef jerky flavour from The Original Maui: “Thanks Paul for the positive taste review. Hawaiian is an unusual, vague flavour name. I sent The Original Maui Ribs an email with my standard questions, but there was no response. I interpret Hawaiian more as a Teriyaki based flavour, but I agree with Paul that it more resembles an Original flavour, which I categorized as such. Paul mentioned a ‘buttery’ flavour, which is a term we use when the beef has a superior natural beef flavour being all or partially grass fed. I disagree with this point. While the beef does not taste processed at all, to me it just tastes like regular beef, perhaps a tad buttery.”
“One thing I disagree with is these jerky strips advertised as being thinly sliced. Paul mentioned a medium thickness, but one could argue that these strips are sliced thick, which is closer to the truth. Taste wise, there is a pleasant blend of flavours that is well-balanced and addictive. I can add mild soy and faint smoke to the flavours detected. I disagree with Paul in that these jerky strips are soft, where they are plenty dry enough but easy enough to chew. With Paul at a 9 and myself at an 8, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 2.8 ounce/80 gram bag of jerky sold online for $9.00. That works out to $3.19 an ounce, which rates as an average price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has everything imprinted to the bag on the back and front. There is a high resolution picture of trees, a beach, and water, presumably Hawaii.
A slogan printed is “World Famous”. Some facts printed on this bag are “High in Protein” and “Proudly Prepared in Canada”,
All bag categories are covered. A good blurb is printed on the back about this flavour. You are encouraged to follow The Original Maui Ribs on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. As per Canadian law, French translations are provided.
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