Avalon Meat Candy is a veteran-owned, USDA-certified jerky company renowned for its innovative take on traditional beef jerky. Founded by Christian Petersen in April 2016, the brand emerged from his quest to create the perfect jerky after experiencing frequent shortages at his favorite Huntington Beach, California, store. Leveraging his background in the Coast Guard and his experience in the electrical business, Christian began crafting jerky as gifts for clients, eventually developing it into a full-fledged enterprise.
Avalon Meat Candy distinguishes itself with its signature “crispy jerky chips,” offering a light, crunchy texture that sets it apart from the traditional chewy jerky. These chips are hand-cut, wafer-thin, and slow-cooked to perfection, providing a unique snacking experience.
Avalon Meat Candy uses 100% Angus beef and offers custom flavors, catering to customer preferences. The company also extends discounts to veterans and police officers as a token of appreciation. Beyond their crispy jerky chips, Avalon Meat Candy’s product line includes traditional jerky cuts, snacks, dog treats, sauces, and fruit rolls.
I had the pleasure of meeting Christian at his storefront, where I was given an educational tour of this United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved plant and its impressive setup. This Avalon Meat Candy brand is distributed under the same name as Avalon Meat Candy, and it is located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The next review on Avalon Meat Candy will focus on a 1 ounce/28 gram bag of their Honey BBQ flavored crispy Angus beef chips. This flavor is described as being made in small batches, where this potato chip thin jerky practically melts in your mouth. The jerky was graciously submitted for review by Master Chef/Owner Christian Petersen.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Angus Beef Sliced Thin, Aloha Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Salt, Sugar, Soybeans, Caramel Coloring, Sodium Benzoate), Water, Distilled White Vinegar, Sugar, Garlic, Paprika, Seasoning Topper (Granulated Honey, Cane Sugar, Paprika, Granulated Garlic, Black Pepper, Granulated Onion. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
The Angus beef used is ethically raised, meaning it is guaranteed to be free of growth hormones and additional antibiotics. The cattle have partial free range access to roam about and graze on grass as nature intended. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The liquid marinade used here is comprised of an alright brand of Aloha soy sauce, water, and healthy distilled vinegar.
There are no healthy ingredients added, as the entire recipe is
liquid marinade based.
The sugar content is a little high at 6 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 5 grams of sugar or less for a sweet based flavor as we have here. The salt level is a little high at 390mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, the main preservative used is salt. Admirably, there is no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
AVALON MEAT CANDY – HONEY BBQ BEEF CHIPS
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell what I believe is BBQ. The jerky is mostly small and sliced exceptionally thin. The jerky is dry as a bone and therefore has absolutely no oily residue.
When I eat the jerky I taste salt, at a slight to medium level, sweetness (from the honey), but it is well within reason. I also very much taste the BBQ, it is basically at the same level as the other ingredients, along with mild pepper, mild garlic, and possibly a hint of onion.
As I consume more, both the honey and the BBQ are intensifying, but neither flavor is dominating. A decent snack, somewhat flavorful, but nothing is really jumping out at me. It definitely lacks the “Wow!!” factor, but overall it is good enough to rate 8/10. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this Honey BBQ Angus beef jerky flavor from Avalon Meat Candy: “Thanks Paul for the candid review. There is no question that we are fans of these paper thin chips crunchy texture, the thinnest jerky that we have reviewed to date. The barbecue aspect comes across as decent and tastes delicious. I was not able to pick up on the honey flavor as much as Paul.”
“There is no hint of this Angus beef tasting processed whatsoever, just high quality beef. The overall taste profile is fairly well balanced with no tastes standing out other than the BBQ flavor. I do agree with Paul that there is little ‘wow’ factor other than the texture. A unanimous Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
A 1 ounce/28 gram bag of jerky sells online for $15.00, which rates as a very expensive price.
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has things imprinted on the front and back, and there is a label affixed to the back. The logo of the Avalon Meat Candy has a bull’s head in the center.
Some slogans printed could be “Real Hickory Smoked” and “Crispy Angus Jerky Chips”. Some facts printed are “Sweet N’ Smokey”, “Gourmet Beef Jerky”, and “Veteran Owned”.
Some missing bag categories are the jerky weight not stated in grams, and a blurb printed about this jerky or flavor. Admirably, a phone number is provided for customer inquiries to the credit of Avalon Meat Candy.
Order their jerky online: www.avalonmeatcandy.com
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