7-Eleven is an international chain of convenience stores headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The chain was founded in 1927 as an ice house storefront in Dallas. It was named Tote’m Stores between 1928 and 1946. After 70% of the company was acquired by Japanese affiliate Ito-Yokado in 1991, it was reorganized as a wholly owned subsidiary of Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd in 2005, and is now held by Chiyoda, Tokyo-based Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd. 7-Eleven operates, franchises, and licenses 71,100 stores in 17 countries as of July 2020. This 7-Select jerky brand is distributed under the name of 7-Eleven Canada, Inc., and it is located in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.
The first review on 7-Select will focus on a 1.4 ounce/40 gram bag of their Korean BBQ flavoured pork jerky. This bag was purchased at a 7-Eleven store in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Pork, Seasoning (Cane Sugar, Sea Salt, Spices, Cultured Celery Extract, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Smoke, Vinegar Powder), Water, Smoke.
The pork used is guaranteed to be raised ethically with no antibiotics and no added hormones. This pork is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to roam about outside. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The only liquid marinade used is plain old water.
There are some healthy ingredients added, such as spices, garlic powder, onion powder, and vinegar powder.
The sugar level is quite high at 8 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 5 grams of sugar or less for a barbecue-based sweet flavour as we have here. The salt level is high at 490mg of salt per 30 grams of jerky to lose another rating. Our preference 350mg grams of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Admirably, this flavour does qualify to have no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
7-SELECT – KOREAN BBQ PORK JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell smoke. The pieces are generally small in size, but the thickness varies from piece to piece. Some are thin, while others are quite thick. I found a large piece of fat on one of the pieces, and, as expected, that was the tastiest, most flavourful part of the jerky experience to this point.
I fail to understand why pork was used instead of beef, but this flavour of jerky has been quite tasty. I detect salt, sweet, garlic, onion, ginger as well as natural pork. This flavour has surprisingly come across as one of the tastier big brand jerkies. I find nothing wrong taste-wise and am quite prepared to rate this as a 9/10, only deducting one point because pork was used instead of beef. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this Korean BBQ beef jerky flavour from 7-Select: “Thanks Paul for the honest taste review. We do not see eye to eye here other than agreed beef should have been used instead of pork. Namely, this pork texture has a plasticine type of texture that tastes sort of processed. Overall, the spice blend has a nice flavour profile. However, the flavour profile does not come across as a truly authentic Korean Barbecue flavour. Nothing stands out, leaving you wanting more.”
“With Paul at a 9/10 taste rating, myself at a 6, a Decent (7/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 1.4 ounce/40 gram bag of jerky sells for $3.69, which equates to $2.63 an ounce. That rates at an average price.
Bag Review
This resealable professional-looking plastic bag has everything imprinted on the bag, including the front and back. There is a high-resolution picture of this pork jerky on the front.
There are no slogans printed on this bag. Some facts printed on this bag are “Low in Fat”, “Canada Raised Pork”, “No MSG”, “16g Protein”, and “Premium Cuts of Pork”.
The only bag category missing is a blurb about this flavour or brand. As per Canadian law, French translations are provided. Admirably, there it is stated Satisfaction Guaranteed along with a toll-free number.
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