Jerkyology

Howdy folks!

Today we’re having a go at a bag of Krave Smoky Grilled Teriyaki Gourmet Pork Jerky procured in the specialty food section of the always-interesting Spec’s.

Taste (B-):  This is definitely not your run-of-the-mill teriyaki.  The flavor is unusually savory for a teriyaki jerky, with a definite sweetness but one that is not at all dominant in the flavor.  It’s a very unusual balance, and a bit disconcerting at first, but it grows on you.  After a few bites you get a better sense of the soy sauce and wine flavors mingling with the sugar and spices and somehow the pork manages to carry through, too.  It demands a bit more attention than typical teriyaki jerky to really appreciate what’s going on, but it’s definitely worth it.

Texture (A-):  What a pleasantly supple jerky this is.  This along-the-grain cut jerky is almost too moist and tender, taking the innately accommodating pork to the very edge of its goodness.  It tears easily, chews almost effortlessly, but all the while feels substantial.  This is some well done pork-work!

Smell (B+):  The teriyaki scents are nicely interwoven with a more subtle smoky smell that rolls around nicely in your nose.  It’s not a particularly potent aroma, but delivers a clear and inviting preview of the jerky itself.  You can particularly make out the soy and rice wine but they don’t really stand out, as such.  It all hold together in excellent balance and smells pretty darn good.

Appearance (A-):  With a dark reddish-brown color and a glossy hue this jerky is pork on parade.  The pieces are cut along the grain and the lean, tender pieces of pork will appeals to your eyes as much as your mouth.  The Krave folks have clearly taken care to craft a high-quality food and have attended to the detail of their wares.

Consistency (A-):  Again, the fine folks at Krave have demonstrated their skill and attention to quality in making this jerky.  The thickness, flavor, and moisture of this jerky is uniform throughout and even pieces of substantially different size delivered the same unique flavor and texture.  It’s a sign of skill that they maintain this level of control.

Overall Impression (B+):  Jerky like this makes Jerkyology fun.  This pork jerky doesn’t try to take the ordinary teriyaki experience and do one better, it takes the idea of teriyaki and does something all its own.  It’s a really enjoyable departure from the norm but still something that takes a bit of acclimation to really appreciate.  It’s a good, well-made jerky that will definitely deliver an out-of-the-ordinary jerky experience.  Grab a bag if you can and partake of its tasty goodness.  Enjoy!