The Jerky Junkie

Here you have it. I usually tear Jerky apart in my reviews and, well, you need to see what I’m measuring all of these varieties against. The Vermont Beef Jerky Company’s 4 varieties of jerky are easily my gold standard for excellent beef jerky. Unlike the Formosa bait and switch, what you see in these packages is what you get. VBJC has nothing to hide about it’s jerky and is presented in a completely transparent package for your viewing pleasure. I will focus, as expected, on the Teriyaki flavored variety, but it should be known that the unusual Maple and Spice flavor is a satisfying bit of chewing goodness. Let us taste on to bask in the glory of good, nay, amazing jerky.

The Jerky Scale Scores:

5 : Moist perfection

5 : Exceptional cuts of meat

5 : Wonderful balance of chewy texture

2 : Variable, but on average cut very thin

4 : Pleasantly strong, fruity sweetness

3 : Medium saltiness

1 : Next to no Spice

Tearing open the packaging, the would-be snacker is greeted by a fresh, rich, fruity scent from the teriyaki flavoring. The pieces of jerky are exceptionally thin sliced and cut in bite-sized pieces for an easily one-handed consumption experience. Beware, this means you can eat the package in 20 minutes without thinking about it. These pieces are excellent cuts of meat, removing that crazed carnivore meat-ripping necessity from your munch time. The cuts are lavishly basted with flavor that has a burst of pineapple at it’s start, moving to the sweet and satisfying soy sauce tone and overall juicy richness that most of us are unaccustomed to in a jerky. The cuts of meat do have the occasional strip of fat in them, but I find that these are more than tolerable, and tend to harbor a pleasant, more flavorful interlude between beefy nibbles.

The Outer Scale Scores:

5: The Best Jerky Money Can Buy

3: Average packaging: keeps it fresh, but only for 1 go

Sadly, the one downfall of this brand is the packaging. VBJC is counting on a one-time consumption of the package of beef jerky, therefore opting out of a re-sealable package. Keeping this in mind, the consistency of the jerky lends itself happily to being transplanted into sealable storage bags, packing up rather nicely.

Overall, this is my very favorite jerky. I continue to search for it’s challenger and equal, though have found no substitute just yet. Suggestions are encouraged and welcome. In the meantime, I will nosh on my teriyaki goodness thanks to the Vermont Beef Jerky Company site, and bid thee good beefing.

Stay tuned, there’s meat to come.