In 2013, while visiting Portsmouth, New Hampshire, I purchased a couple of 1.5 ounce/42 gram bags of Rosie’s Vermont Beef Jerky. This review will focus on their teriyaki flavor.
Rosie’s Vermont Beef Jerky is manufactured and distributed by Rosie’s Snacks, Inc. based out of Swanton, Vermont. Established in 1996, Rosie’s Vermont Beef Jerky is family owned and operated. They have a commitment to quality, and are wholesome in every bite. As of today, they offer 9 different flavors, which according to their web site, are “udderly” delicious.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Contains Beef, Pineapple Juice and Ascorbic Acid, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Brown Sugar, Worcestershire Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, Caramel Color, Garlic Powder, Sugar, Spices, Anchovies, Tamarind, Natural Flavor), Flavorings, Minced Garlic. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat, Anchovies
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have at least 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.
For the liquid marinade we have pineapple juice, an alright soy sauce, and a decent Worcestershire sauce. Pineapple juice is listed second in the ingredient list by weight, which has a healthy enzyme named bromelain. In the food industry, it is common to use bromelain as a natural meat tenderizer.
Unfortunately, corn syrup is a listed ingredient. Corn based products have no business being in jerky.
The vague term flavorings is a listed ingredient. That could pretty much encompass anything, with both healthy and unhealthy ingredients.
There is no nutrition facts table provided. As a result, the exact sugar and salt levels are unknown.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite added, or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Instead, salt is the main preservative used here. Also, ascorbic acid is another preservative, which is a form of Vitamin C. Admirably, there is no MSG added to this jerky.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
The jerky strips were mainly small, and thin in size. The texture of these slices had a very good mix of not being too soft and tender, and not being too dry either. There were no visible signs of fat anywhere, and handling this jerky left no oily residue on your fingers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this jerky. The teriyaki flavor was well defined with the Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, pineapple juice, and sweetness combination. There was a moderate pineapple flavor, and a light garlic taste. Overall, this bag was consumed in no time.
I paid $3.99 for this 1.5 ounce/42 gram bag of jerky, which works out to $2.66 an ounce. Using prices from Rosie’s Beef jerky web site today, a 3 ounce/85 gram bag sells for $5.49. That works out to a reasonable $1.83 an ounce, making this an average price. This jerky is well worth the money, from both a taste and ingredient perspective.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
We have a fairly small plastic bag here, which is not resealable, but to be expected for such a small quantity of jerky. There is a label on the front, and nothing on the back.
The Rosie’s Vermont Beef Jerky logo is interesting, which depicts a smiling cow, wearing a chef’s hat. Their company slogan is “Quite possibly the World’s finest tasting jerky”.
The important bag categories are covered here with the exception of two categories. There is no “best before date” displayed anywhere, and there is no nutrition facts table provided. To the credit of Rosie’s Vermont Beef Jerky, they provide both a local and toll free phone number for customer inquiries.
All I taste is rotten anchovies. Should say, beef and fish jerky. Couldn’t eat it. Gave it to the dogs. They liked it, but they eat their poop too.