You see the packages of jerky sitting on shelves at convenience
stores and grocery stores, and it's always the same two or three brands.
But
did you know there are easily a thousand different brands of jerky
selling all across the United States? Some more expensive and some more
limited in quantity.
How do you know if you're getting your
money's worth for an expensive brand of jerky? How can you tell the
difference between good jerky and cheap jerky?
Does it taste like
real meat? - Most major brands of jerky are so full of sugar,
tenderizers and preservatives that all of the natural meat flavors are
gone. Bite into a piece of jerky and see if you can taste the real
flavor of beef, just as you'd taste in a chunk of grilled steak or roast
tri-tip.
Does it chew like real meat? - Quite a few brands of
jerky either have so much sugar that it becomes gummy, like eating a
piece of fruit chew, or has cooked for too long that it becomes crumbly.
Often times, brands will add meat tenderizers that make it too mushy.
Good jerky should feel just like eating a real piece of steak once it
has been chewed down to a soft mass.
What's that stringy stuff?" -
Mass produced jerky utilizes low grades of beef filled with stringy
sinews, rubbery gristle, and unchewable tissues. Worse yet, you might
find large chunks and streaks of fat. On the other hand, good jerky
should be absolutely lean, practically pure meat. It's OK to have tiny
flecks and streaks of fat, as this will add some "beefy" flavor. But too
much fat will cause the meat to taste rancid.
Does it live up to
its advertised flavor?" - When a jerky packages says it's "Hot", then it
should be hot, not medium hot, or somewhat hot, or just barely hot, but
HOT. The same with teriyaki. Most major brands only use sweetened soy
sauce, and don't bother to add the mirin wine and ginger that makes good
teriyaki.
Does it require heavy machinery to chew?" - In the old
days, it might have been acceptable to have tough jerky. But these days,
most gourmet brands can make simple, all natural, beef jerky in a
tender, moist chew, that still retains the chewing texture of a grilled
steak. If your jaws getting too tired, then look for something easier to
chew.
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