Island Jerky is different from your typical jerky. They create the best hickory wood smoked beef jerky available in British Columbia. Founded in 2013, the Smokehouse has been a local producer on Vancouver Island. They pride themselves on using the highest quality beef and spices that produce lean, actual wood smoked beef jerky. Available in Original (that is wheat free), Teriyaki (that is not sweet), and their newest flavour, Black Pepper (also wheat free) – their customers can never get enough.
Jodi Quinn and Jerry Antoniuk, owners of TWO J’s with over 25 years of experience, make Island Jerky in small hand crafted batches (which adds a subtle flavour that doesn’t overpower the high-quality beef) and has a moist, tender texture. If you are looking for an actual lean wood smoked jerky – Island Jerky will be your one and only Jerk. The Island Jerky brand name is distributed under the same name Island Jerky, and it is located in Sidney, British Columbia, Canada. This jerky is manufactured by TWO J’s Smokehouse, and is located in Sidney, British Columbia.
The next review on Island Jerky will focus on a 2.8 ounce/80 gram bag of their Teriyaki flavoured beef jerky. This bag was purchased at a gas station in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Water, Soy Sauce (Soy, Wheat, Starch, Salt), Salt, Dextrose, Spice, Garlic Powder, Sodium Erythorbate, Monosodium Glutamate, Sodium Nitrite, Smoke. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
The cattle are believed to have partial free range access to graze on grass. The cattle are also believed to be ethically raised, meaning that the cows received no growth hormones or additional antibiotics. As a result, the ingredient rating starts at a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The liquid marinade consists of just plain old water and an average brand of soy sauce.
Some healthy ingredients added are garlic powder and spices.
The sugar level is perfect at 0 grams of sugar per 30 grams of jerky. The salt level is high at 600mg of salt per 30 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 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. This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added because monosodium glutamate is used outright to lose another rating.
Alright (6/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
ISLAND JERKY – TERIYAKI BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell nothing at all. The jerky appears to me to be processed jerky. It is dry and chewy, pretty much just as our forefathers intended. The jerky is shiny and just appears to be “flash before substance”.
When I bite into the jerky I am very pleasantly surprised to find that I actually enjoy this flavour. The salt level is great, the (lack of) sweet level is also excellent. I also taste pepper and garlic, but I quite honestly don’t taste any of that sweet teriyaki flavour, which, while to me is a good thing, it’s not such a good thing when you advertise your jerky as such. Hence, I feel confident awarding a 9/10.
This 2.8 ounce/80 gram bag of jerky is advertised at $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 plastic bag has everything imprinted on the front and nothing on the back. The Island Jerky logo depicts an illustration of the sun. This bag is vacuum sealed, which is the best way to keep the jerky fresh tasting.
A slogan printed could be “A Sidney BC Company”. A fact printed on this bag is “100% Canadian Beef Jerky” and “Wheat Free”.
Some missing bag categories are a blurb about the jerky or flavour as well as distributor address details. As per Canadian law, French translations are provided. To the credit of Island Jerky, a phone number is provided for customer inquiries.
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