I was not compensated for this post but received product samples to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own. No group mentioned in this post endorses this product.
I was contacted by the company Golden Island Jerky the day after National Jerky Day (WAHOO!) and asked if I would be interested in trying their products. Now I have to say that this blogging thing has been SO fun up to this point but now someone wanted to send me FREE food? Yes, please!!
The truth is that in a perfect world, I make my own jerky so that I can control exactly what it is in it. But just as true is that that doesn’t always happen and I know it doesn’t happen for a lot of my friends. Would I be willing to recommend this product to my family and friends? I know a lot of hungry hikers…
So, I looked them up to find out more about their company and this is what I found:
“Still using the same recipes and cooking methods for three generations, Golden Island Jerky Company delivers time-honored family tradition to every bag of jerky we produce. By hand-crafting and not taking shortcuts, the rich flavors and aromas are never in short supply. Whether it’s sweet, zesty, smoky or spicy, we’ve got what you’re craving.”
Their website says you can find their products at Costco, various grocery stores like QFC, Albertson’s and Target, as well as Amazon Fresh.
The three things that caught my attention were:
- Gluten Free
- No Added Nitrites
- Minimally Processed
Gluten free is a big deal, but I also noticed that the sodium was low compared to other jerky brands and the ingredients lists were pretty simple. This jerky is not necessarily “paleo”, which is what I strive for, nor is most of it nightshade free. It has ingredients like gluten free tamari, which is still soy. So for me personally, this jerky would be a treat for when I don’t have time to make my own. Just like the tartar sauce I ate last week in the middle of my 102 mile hike or the miso soup I enjoy when I go to sushi with my boyfriend. Or when my lovely friend, Candace makes me some of her fabulous deviled eggs with regular mayo and also forgets to leave the paprika off. Do I eat them? Dang tootin’ I do. They are the bomb. Is it every day? Nope.
But the real question was, how is the flavor of this jerky?
So, I emailed them back that I would be willing to try some and I would recruit some of my hiking friends to help me try the spicy flavors.
It wasn’t but a few days after emailing them that I received a package in the mail. I was expecting a few sample packs but they sent me 5 full packages of all their flavors: Grilled BBQ Pork, Korean BBQ Pork, Siracha Pork, Kung Pao Beef and Chili Lime Beef!
So how did the tasting go, you ask?? In general, I enjoyed how the jerky was easy to bite (not hard or stiff) and full of flavor. You won’t be chewing it like gum for the next 30 minutes after taking a bite. They were not overly salty or spicy and each had it’s own unique taste (not just one basic flavor with something small added onto the different packages). Here’s what I thought of each one:
Grilled Barbecue Pork
This is my favorite, mostly because it doesn’t have a nightshade listed directly in the ingredients so I could devour these without worry (it does say “spices”; luckily my sensitivity to nightshades is not as extreme as others). Just like the other flavors I sampled, the taste has a depth you don’t find in most jerky products. After a few tries, I decided that this favor tastes like a nice smoky, sweet BBQ Pork you’d find at a restaurant.
Korean Barbecue Pork
The seeds give you a clue to the flavor of this jerky. What I liked about this one is how the sesame flavor plays with the small amount of fiery kick. This one turned out to be the favorite amongst my family when sampled on our recent family camping trip.
Kung Pao Beef
All I’m going to say is that I tried a tiny bite and then took the rest on my family camping trip. I have brothers who LOVE the heat (and a brother-in-law who is GF). It was just a tad bit drier but has an amazing 5 Spice seasoning to complement that heat. It was the second runner up for my siblings.
Chili Lime Beef
Love the lime! Reminds me a bit more of a Mexican snack, tangy and delicious. This one was my mom’s favorite.
Sriracha
I didn’t try this one myself, I sent it off with my boyfriend to one of his search and rescue classes to share. This is what I got back…must have been good? He said they commented that it was nice because it wasn’t a sugary jerky.
As I have been trying these, I have actually been excited to tell my friends because the flavors are so wonderful and different from others I have tried. Even though these would be a treat for me as I wouldn’t be able to eat the spicy ones on a regular basis (or consume too much soy) that doesn’t mean I am not having a hard time not sneaking tastes from the packages I have. I am going to have to take these on a hike with friends soon! I know my gluten free friends will LOVE them. Or just about anyone with hiker hunger. Or hunger period.
Not hanging with me anytime soon? Guess what! The BEST part of their offer to try their products is that they want to give one of my readers THEIR VERY OWN JERKY. ALL 5 FLAVORS. That’s right, a reader giveaway! Want to try this delicious jerky yourself? Here’s all you have to do:
- Like and share my Golden Island Jerky post on Facebook (@musthikemusteat). Hopefully, you already have liked the page itself. Hint, hint. (Not needed to win, but seriously, you should).
- Then comment here below or on that Facebook post which flavor you would like to try the most!
The giveaway will end July 20th, 2016 at midnight, so go do it now! I will draw one random entry to receive their own Golden Island Jerky from the company. I can’t wait for you to try it yourself and tell me what you think. You don’t even have to be a hiker. Just an eater, that would work, too.
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