Another product that has needlessly languished on my “to do” list for a few months since the Fiery Foods Show is one that is right in my wheelhouse when it comes to my interest in spicy snacks. I am a tremendous aficionado of beef jerky, but have acknowledged that good ones are relatively few and far between. I was tremendously impressed by the samples of products from the Oregon Trail company, so I bought a few I wanted to try some more of and squirreled them away for later consumption.

Ingredients: Beef, water, flavoring, corn syrup solids, seasoning (salt, sugar, brown sugar, maple sugar, sodium nitrite), brown sugar, liquid smoke, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite

What I liked about it: The jerky meat is not at all greasy or slimy, and has a perfect texture. No crumbs or other residue litter the bottom of the package either. The flavor is solid, although you can definitely detect the liquid smoke amongst the garlic and chile overtones. The heat level would be considered medium, and is appropriate for the flavor that the makers are trying to present.

What I didn’t like: It’s a relatively small package at only 4 ounces, particularly at its price point. Also the flavoring seems to have caramelized a little more on some pieces making ones a little more sweet than others.

Overall recommendation: This is a damn good beef jerky, and a flavor that I guarantee you will not find at your grocery store or Kwik-E-Mart. Spicy enough to at least interest your garden-variety chilehead but not too hot to eviscerate the taste buds of the spice-sensitive newbie. It’s simply a solid snack food, and a beef jerky worth trying. A little pricier than what you’re used to, but you do get what you pay for with this product. Enjoy!