Do you source your jerky from sustainable sources?
Jerky is a meat snack that is a staple in many diets. It has a long history and an interesting story that is woven together with exploration, war, and innovation.
Jerky was first made in South America where indigenous tribes dried strips of meat to preserve it. European explorers discovered this and brought the idea back to their home countries where it gained popularity.
Origin
In the days before refrigeration, preserving meats was an essential skill for survival. The practice of drying meats, usually using sunlight and smoke from fires, extended their shelf life and made them a convenient, nutritious snack to carry with you on your travels.
The word jerky comes from the Quechua word ch’arki, meaning dried and salted meat, and it was important for both the Inca and early European explorers who traded with each other as well as for the pioneers traveling west across North America. The nutrient dense meat was easy to transport and provided the energy needed for their journeys.
jerky subscription is now widely enjoyed around the world. People are seeking out small-batch, artisanal jerky that uses only the best cuts of meat and natural ingredients. They want to know that their snacks are healthy for them and the environment, and that they are supporting sustainable producers. It is also becoming increasingly popular to purchase locally-made jerky from local meat markets and farmer’s markets.
Ingredients
For thousands of years, people have dried meats as a way to preserve the animals they raised or caught to consume at another time. When done safely, it makes the meat last a long time while staying nutrient dense, light weight and shelf stable.
Jerky is essentially meat preserved by dehydrating it at low temperature over a prolonged period of time, usually for 2-3 hours. During this process, the food is sanitized to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the warm and dry environments used for jerky production.
As consumers become more concerned about their environmental footprint, many brands are prioritizing sustainability while delivering high quality products. One example is the elk and bison jerky produced by Pearson Ranch in New Mexico. Their jerky uses natural ingredients without added nitrites, MSG, or gluten. The company also works with local farmers to source their animals. Other jerky brands are experimenting with plant proteins as the basis for their snacks, including soy and mushrooms.
Process
Depending on the recipe, the meat is cut into chunks or strips and then placed into a curing solution. Typically, this is made in large tanks that use mixing blades to ensure a consistent cure.
The process is quick and efficient. Once the curing is complete, the jerky can be vacuum sealed or nitrogen flushed before packaging. This helps ensure a longer shelf life. Jerky can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated. Refrigeration is recommended, especially in warmer climates, as this will extend the shelf life and protect against spoilage.
OneForNeptune seafood jerky uses fresh, sustainable, and natural ingredients to make a tasty snack for eco-conscious adventurers. Mendoza developed the recipe in his home kitchen, testing a wide variety of seafood species and sources. He eventually settled on U.S. wild caught rockfish from small West Coast fisheries. This approach ensures a responsible supply chain and a nutritious product. The brand also makes sure to include allergen information on the packaging, making it a great option for families managing food allergies.
Storage
For vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians and reducetarians, meat-free snacking has gained another tasty option thanks to food startups that are preserving mushrooms, soybeans and other plants as jerky. Texas-based All Yall’s Foods, for example, has launched a line of soy-based jerky in Southwestern-inspired flavors such as Prickly Pear Chipotle.
Jerky has been dehydrated to extend its shelf life since the earliest days of humans, when fresh meats were susceptible to spoilage. Today, modern technology allows jerky to be preserved for months at a time, making it a convenient choice for consumers on the go.
As consumers become more conscious of sustainability, companies like Tibbs Beef Jerky are taking steps to meet demand. They prioritize both quality and sustainability, ensuring they are producing a healthy, high-quality product that will stand the test of time. Tibbs Beef Jerky uses transparent packaging that shares information about their sourcing, ingredients and sustainability efforts, empowering consumers to make informed choices. Select bags feature a self-standing design that offers stability on store shelves and kitchen counters, and reliable resealable closures to maintain optimal freshness.