The first review on Steve’s PaleoGoods Jerky will be on a 1.25 ounce/35 gram bag of their original flavored grass fed beef jerky. This jerky was graciously submitted by the Steve’s PaleoGoods team.
The Steve’s PaleoGoods Jerky brand name is distributed by Steve’s PaleoGoods, based out of Pennsauken, New Jersey. It all started in 2007 when Steve Liberati and his wife Kristen started giving out “PaleoKits” to impoverished kids from Camden, New Jersey. A “PaleoKit” being a jerky trail mix, with a combination of nuts, fruits, and jerky. That started the original “Steve’s Club“, which is an organization devoted to helping out at-risk kids from poor neighborhoods, with a major emphasis on proper nutrition and fitness. In 2008, they started selling these “PaleoKits” online, where 15% of all sales goes directly to support Steve’s Club. In 2009, Steve’s Club became a national program.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef Jerky (Grassfed Beef, Sea Salt, Apple Juice Concentrate, Paprika, Pineapple Juice, Beet Powder, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Ascorbic Acid).
As advertised, the beef used here is 100% grass fed. Steve’s PaleoGoods sources their beef from White Oaks Pastures located in Bluffington, Georgia, and Meyer Natural Angus from Loveland, Colorado, both of whom appear to be excellent sources of beef.
The liquid marinade is comprised of apple juice concentrate and pineapple juice. Apples are very high in a healthy fiber known as pectin. Pineapple juice is another interesting choice that contains a natural enzyme named bromelain, which is widely used in the food industry as a natural meat tenderizer.
The most interesting ingredient used is beet powder, where the vegetable beets are loaded with antioxidants. Healthy spices such as paprika, black pepper, and garlic powder are used.
Admirably, there is no sugar used in this jerky. The salt level is high at 410mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. However, that is negated because minimally processed sea salt is used, as opposed to highly refined table salt. Sea salt is high on minerals and trace minerals.
As for preservatives, healthy sea salt is used. Another healthy preservative choice is ascorbic acid, which is a form of vitamin C. Admirably, this jerky does qualify to have no MSG added.
Excellent (10/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
The strips of beef are sliced fairly small in size, with a medium thickness. There is a great dry texture. No signs of fat are visible, and handling this jerky does leave some oily film on your fingers.
The first taste that jumps out is the natural beef flavor, and remains as the dominant flavor, the way an original flavor should be. This jerky is tasty and flavorful. There is a slight tangy flavor, with faint peppery and garlic flavors. The salt level is noticeable, but minor. With the absence of sweetness, it really allows the smoked taste to shine through. This is the type of jerky where you can finish a bag in no time.
A 2.5 ounce/71 gram bag sells online for $6.95. That works out to $2.78 an ounce, which is an expensive price. Considering that 100% grass fed jerky is used, that is more of an average price, and well worth your money.
Excellent (10/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
The plastic bag used is somewhat uncommon. There is a label affixed on the front, but on the back, the label seems infused inside the plastic. The best feature of this jerky bag is that it is vacuum sealed, the absolute best way to keep jerky fresh, where oxygen is the enemy of jerky.
On the back of the bag, there is a great write up of Steve’s Club. Sticking with the paleo theme, the Steve’s PaleoGoods logo depicts a man walking, with what looks like a walking stick.
The only fact stated on this bag is “15% of your purchase supports Steve’s Club National Program”.
All major bag categories are covered with this bag. There are no fancy graphics or slogans, but this bag does its job effectively being vacuum sealed.
Order their jerky products online: www.stevespaleogoods.com
For more information on Steve’s Club: www.stevesclub.org
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