Lee’s Market was founded in 1962 on the premise of providing quality products at a convenience to customers in the Newport, Michigan area. Since then, they have grown to a staple in Southeastern Michigan for jerky, as what many of their customers believe to be “The Best Jerky Around”. All their artisan jerky is 100% USDA approved, hand sliced, house-brined, and wood smoked.
Currently, Lee’s Market is owned by husband and wife Danny and Carrie Bergmoser. The jerky choices are beef, poultry, elk, or venison, with about a dozen flavors available. Lee’s Market is one of Southeastern Michigan’s best kept secrets. This Lee’s Market jerky brand is distributed under the same name as Lee’s Market, and it is located in Newport, Michigan, USA.
The next review on Lee’s Market will focus on a 8 ounce/226.8 gram bag of their Mango Habanero flavored chicken jerky. This jerky was graciously submitted for review by the co-owner, Carrie Bergmoser.
Ingredient Review
Chicken, Brown Sugar (Granulated Sugar, Molasses), Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt, Sodium Benzoate) Less Than 1/10 of 1% as a Preservative), Red Wine Vinegar, Mango Puree, Bourbon Spices, Hot Sauce, Beef Broth Base, Beef Stock, Lactic Acid, White Pepper, Black Pepper, Spice Extract, Habanero Powder, Sodium Nitrate. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat, Anchovies
The chickens used are raised in the USA. There are no guarantees that the chicken used is not administered growth hormones or additional antibiotics. The chickens used are not guaranteed to have free range access to roam about. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Good (8/10) rating.
The liquid marinade is comprised of an average soy sauce, super healthy red wine vinegar, healthy mango puree, hot sauce, and healthy beef stock.
Some healthy ingredients added are bourbon spices, white pepper, black pepper, and spice extract. The heat is achieved from the Habanero powder, which is healthy if eaten in moderation.
The sugar level is acceptable at 4 grams of sugar per 28g grams of jerky for a hot based flavor. The salt level is quite high at 580mg 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 not qualify to have no sodium nitrite added as sodium nitrate is used outright to lose a rating. Admirably, this jerky does qualify to have no MSG added.
Alright (6/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
LEE’S MARKET – MANGO HABANERO CHICKEN JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell both soy and spice. The pieces are large, long, and of medium thickness. They kind of remind me of thick strips of bacon. The jerky is soft and moist, not how our forefathers intended, but we soldier on. Due to the moistness of the jerky, there is a fair amount of oily residue left on your fingers.
The first flavors that jump out are salt, pepper, garlic, and onion. There is minimal sweetness, which is a plus for me. As I consume more, I am both surprised and disappointed in the lack of either a mango flavor or a spiciness (kick) to the jerky. Advertised as both and lacking in either instill a conundrum. While I like the flavor, it is nothing like as advertised. Therefore I am forced to deduct at least two points, which I will do because I cannot endorse a flavor that is not in line with the advertised flavor(s) on the bag.
In conclusion, because the flavor is favorable, I will award an 8/10, but Lee’s Market needs to ramp up the mango and the spice to this flavor, or it is almost like false advertising. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
Lee’s Market – Mango Habanero Chicken Jerky is absolutely delicious, and it is a testament to the balance of flavors. Each flavor is light, subtle and remains in the background while nicely accentuating and enhancing the overall taste of the meat.
The flavor profile focuses on the Mango and Habanero, Black Pepper, and I also notice some smokiness in the background, amongst many other delicious flavors. Each ingredient is tastefully balanced between sweetness, acidity, and spiciness as a whole. The delicious taste of the Habanero peppers pleasantly comes through without an assault on the ol’ taste buds. The aroma and texture are fantastic, and the meat’s tenderness also contributes to delivering more delicious flavors.
Lee’s Market – Mango Habanero Chicken Jerky does not claim to be a Spicy or Hot Flavor, and it delivers in spades on wonderful flavors. I truly enjoyed this fantastic treat, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Habanero while also choosing to give their taste buds a little break. In my own opinion, this is an easy 10\10 Taste Rating. God Speed!
Here is what Mark had to say about this Mango Habanero jerky flavor from Lee’s Market: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the great taste reviews. Paul’s review is spot on, in my opinion. Stéphane’s review is fairly accurate except in regards to the mango and Habanero. The mango flavor is light tasting that does not stand out at all. I disagree with Stéphane in that this flavor is not advertised to be hot. Habanero is among the hottest peppers in the world, implying that this flavor should be hot tasting. The lack of Habanero, and hence heat, was a major disappointment for me.”
“While I cannot quite criticize this aspect, I found it interesting that beef stock and beef broth base were used to make this flavor taste more like beef, which does take away from the natural chicken flavor. Otherwise, the texture was terrific again, akin to eating thick steak strips. The overall flavor was delicious but severely lacking in mango and Habanero. With Stéphane at a 10 rating and Paul and I at an 8 rating, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 8 ounce/226.8 gram bag of beef jerky sells for $13.99. That works out to $1.74 an ounce, which rates as a very cheap price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This clear nonresealable plastic bag has a label affixed to the front and nothing on the back except a batch number sticker. There is an illustration of a pig holding two knives on the front. The bag is vacuum sealed, the best way to keep jerky fresh tasting.
A slogan displayed is “Hand Crafted And Michigan Made”. There are no facts printed on this bag.
Some missing bag categories are a blurb about this jerky or flavor, slits to easily open the bag, a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) stamp, and a best before date, although there is a batch number provided. To the credit of Lee’s Market, a phone number is provided for customer inquiries.
Order their jerky online: https://leesmarketjerky.com
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