What is beef jerky?

The most important points in brief:

1. Beef jerky is a dried meat product made from seasoned meat, whose name comes from the South American word "Ch'arki" and which is traditionally preserved by air drying or smoking.
2. It contains little fat, hardly any carbohydrates and is rich in protein – ideal for athletes, outdoor enthusiasts and people following a low-carb, paleo or keto diet.
3. Due to the removal of water, beef jerky can be stored for months without refrigeration, is lightweight and therefore perfect for travel, hiking or as a natural snack in everyday life.

Jerky is a dried meat product made from seasoned meat. Whether in medieval times in Europe or by the Native Americans of the North American Plains, dried meat has been a proven method of preserving meat for centuries. Today, it's experiencing a well-deserved comeback as a high-quality protein snack. Whether as a snack for athletes, a reliable companion during outdoor activities, or as part of a low-carb diet, dried meat impresses with its natural origin, intense flavor, and high protein content.

The term "jerky" originally comes from the South American word "ch'arki," which translates to "dried, salted meat." The method of drying and preserving meat—especially beef and buffalo—has a long tradition in North America, particularly in the USA and Canada. This product has also been available in Germany for some time and is gaining increasing popularity.

Its advantages lie primarily in its long shelf life of up to twelve months, its uncomplicated storage without refrigeration, and its light weight resulting from water removal. From a nutritional perspective, its high protein content is particularly interesting. Therefore, beef jerky is especially popular for outdoor activities and is also used in modern dietary concepts such as the Paleo diet, which emphasizes natural, unprocessed foods and avoids artificial additives, sugar, grains, and legumes.

However, it's important to ensure that the jerky is produced naturally. Many manufacturers use flavor enhancers, sugar, and other artificial or unhealthy additives to make lower-quality meat more palatable.

What is dried meat good for?

Dried meat has always been considered a natural source of protein and a trusted companion for those who are physically active, spend a lot of time outdoors, or pay attention to a balanced diet. Thanks to the traditional drying method, in which moisture is gently removed from the meat, it not only has a long shelf life but also retains its robust, original flavor.

The main advantages of dried meat at a glance:

• High in protein: Supports muscle growth and provides lasting satiety.
• Durable and lightweight: Ideal for travel, hiking, and everyday use.
• Low in carbohydrates: Particularly suitable for low-carb, ketogenic or paleo diets.
• Naturally produced: High-quality processing without artificial additives

However, not all dried meat is created equal. Quality, ingredients, and production methods can vary considerably. Those who value a high-quality product should pay close attention to its origin, ingredient list, and processing.

How is jerky made?

The production of dried meat is based on an ancient manufacturing process:

• Selection of meat
  Lean beef, typically from the leg, is usually used. Less fat ensures better shelf life and a firmer texture. The fat content of the meat would quickly become rancid.

• Seasoning or marinating
  The meat is seasoned or marinated for several hours or overnight in a flavorful marinade. Lower-quality meat is often loaded with spices or a strong marinade to mask its inferior quality. The final flavor varies depending on the spices used – from classically savory to slightly sweet.

• Drying/Dehydrating
  In the next step, the marinated meat is slowly dried at a low temperature (usually 60–70 °C) – either in special dehydrators, in the oven, or traditionally over open smoke. This process removes moisture from the meat without cooking it.

• Cooling & Packaging
  After the drying process, the beef jerky must cool completely before being vacuum-packed. This way, it will keep for months without refrigeration or preservatives.

Why is jerky expensive?

There are several reasons for this. Firstly, lean meat is generally more expensive than many other types of meat. Furthermore, the quality of the meat determines the price. Does it come from cheap factory farming with poor living conditions for the animals and a lot of concentrated feed, or is it sourced from regional, organic farms?

Furthermore, the drying process removes a large portion of the meat's water content. This means that approximately 250 grams of fresh, organic buffalo meat are needed to produce 100 grams of finished buffalo jerky. For our buffalo jerky, we exclusively use high-quality, lean meat from animals raised on sustainable German farms.

If jerky is cheap, it means that corners were cut in some way. Inferior meat was used. It's also possible that the jerky has a higher moisture content to reduce weight loss. In this case, the longer shelf life can only be achieved through artificial preservatives or a lot of sugar, as otherwise mold would grow on the meat due to the high water content.

Is jerky the same as cured meat?

There are differences between jerky (dried meat) and cured meat. These differences lie in the production method, the preservation method, and the resulting taste. Although both methods serve the purpose of preserving meat, they follow different traditional procedures. These are listed here:

Jerky:

• Originally dried, often marinated meat
• Can be stored without refrigeration
• High protein content, hardly any fat or water
• Long shelf life due to drying
• Primarily used as a snack

Cured meat:

• Meat preserved through salt/nitrite
• Often smoked or cooked
• Typical taste due to curing agents
• Cooling is usually necessary
• Traditionally used in cooking (e.g., Kassler, corned beef)

Grab yours now and enjoy natural dried beef from grass-fed buffalo. Free from additives, high in protein and traditionally processed.
Ideal for on the go, during sports or as a conscious snack in between.
Buy Buffalo Jerky now for a healthy, protein-rich diet without guilt.