Superior Meats, established in 1994 by Mike DeMaria, is a family-owned company specializing in top-quality artisan-style traditional European dry-cured meat products and imported cheeses. Their commitment to preserving age-old gastronomic traditions is evident in their diverse product offerings, which include authentic beef jerky, various salami varieties, mini pepperoni, bacon, hams, and other specialty meats. The company’s mission is to provide customers with specialty meats created by master artisans using traditional methods in modern facilities. This ensures these culinary delights become integral to contemporary family gatherings and traditions.
Superior Meats’ dedication to quality extends to its premium artisan cheeses, sourced from some of the finest cheesemakers worldwide. It offers customers a range of unique, world-class cheeses from Canada and beyond. Their attention to detail and responsiveness to current food trends have made them a one-stop supplier for retail and wholesale customers, delivering what is needed to create signature dishes and unique sandwiches to enjoy with friends and family. This Superior Meats jerky brand is distributed under the same name as Superior Meats, and it is located in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. This jerky is manufactured by Stemmler Meats, located in Waterloo, Ontario.
The next review on Superior Meats will focus on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of their Korean BBQ flavoured beef jerky. This bag was purchased at the Bala Cranberry Festival in Bala, Ontario, Canada.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Water, Sugars (Sugar, Corn Maltodextrin, Dextrose), Soy Sauce Powder (Soy, Wheat, Salt, Maltodextrin), Wheat, Salt, Modified Corn Starch, Spices, Garlic, Vinegar Powder (Corn Maltodextrin, Vinegar, Modified Corn Starch), Cultured Dextrose, Caramel Colour, Onion Powder, Ascorbic Acid, Spice Extracts, Sodium Nitrite, Smoke. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
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 only liquid marinade listed is water. The soy sauce and vinegar are in powdered form.
Some healthy ingredients added are garlic powder, spices, onion powder, and spice extracts.
The sugar level is great at only 1 gram of sugar per 30 grams of jerky. The salt level is acceptable at 330mg of salt per 30 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite added as sodium nitrite is used outright as a preservative to lose a rating. Commendably, this jerky does qualify to have no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
SUPERIOR MEATS – KOREAN BBQ BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell very little. The jerky is medium in size mostly, and it is sliced rather thin. The jerky is dry and primarily rigid, very close to what our forefathers intended. There is no oily residue left on your fingers.
When I bite into the jerky I am met with salt, at a good level, minimal sweetness, a very good thing, pepper, also at a decent level, garlic and onion to a lesser degree. The blend, in this case, is quite enjoyable, I am very much enjoying this flavour. I can’t say I am picking up on much if any, Korean BBQ flavour, but otherwise a tasty treat.
For that reason, I feel obligated to deduct a point, but I am very certain a 9/10 is where I believe I am at.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Korean BBQ beef jerky flavor from Superior Meats: “Thanks Paul for the succinct taste review. I agree that this flavour is enjoyable but tastes almost nothing like a Korean BBQ flavour. A classic tasting Korean BBQ flavour should contain some sweetness, often with some honey, which in a sense, is a good thing for Paul and my bias against sweet tasting jerky. The flavour of soy does not come across all that well. Unlike a traditional barbecue flavour, which is normally tomato based, a Korean BBQ flavour should be largely soy based being drowned out by the water. Korean barbecue ribs are a great example of how a Korean BBQ flavour should taste.”
“Another staple of a Korean BBQ flavour is sesame seeds and oil, of which this flavour contains none. Typically, the garlic and onion would be at stronger levels. The natural flavour of beef is at a good level, and a faint smokiness is present. While visually I could see what looked like crushed red chili peppers, I could not detect any heat, which is acceptable for a Korean BBQ flavor. With Paul at a 9 and myself at a 7, a Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 3 ounce/85 gram bag of jerky cost $8.00. That works out to $2.67 an ounce, which rates as a cheap price.
Bag Review
This resealable black plastic bag has labels affixed to the front and back. There is an illustration of a barbecue with fire on the front.
A slogan printed on this bag as stated in the Superior Meats logo is “Established 1994”. Some facts printed on this bag are “Prepared in Canada”, “Low Fat”, “Naturally Smoked”, “100% Lean Beef”, and “High Protein”.
Some bag categories missing are a best before date, and a blurb about Superior Meats or this flavour. As per Canadian law, French translations are provided.
Order their jerky online: www.superiormeats.ca
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