Dried and True is a brand that I covered a couple of years ago with their Sriracha Lima and Korean BBQ varieties. Recently, they sent me packages of their Original, Chile Limon, and Spicy Teriyaki.
Founded in Venice CA in 2012, by a local named Matt Lauster, Dried and True Beef Jerky sought to change to people's taste buds and perception of what beef jerky could taste like. After refining his product by selling at local farmer's markets and the LA food festival scene, Matt claims that so many customers have proclaimed, "This is the best jerky I've ever eaten!". He uses exclusively from California raised beef without chemical preservatives, nitrates/nitrites, MSG or high fructose corn syrup.
This "Chile Limon" variety is described by the company as their spiciest jerky, claiming that it will "sure to please the heat seekers and chile heads". It offers a spritz of lemon juice to balance out the spicy heat.
Ingredients: Beef, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, garlic powder, seasoning mix, lemon juice, organic worcesterhire sauce, black pepper, ginger.
Review
The first flavor to hit my palate is a light sweetness. The flavor of red chile pepper flakes comes through in light amounts. The heat starts to build up. I can also pick up light amounts of teriyaki sauce.
For being named, "Chile Limon", it sort of holds up. While I do get a light flavor of red chile flakes, I don't pick up the lemon. This doesn't belt out any lemon flavor, nor anything resembling citrus. It actually tastes more like the company's "Original" flavor, but with some chile flakes sprinkled on, and with some pineapple added.
As for being touted as Dried and True's hottest flavor, it actually is not. Their "Spicy Teriyaki" is hotter, and actually offers a richer jalapeno flavor. Meanwhile, this Chile Limon gives off a low level of heat, with a lighter chile flavor. On my personal heat scale, I'd rate this as "mild-medium" (level 2 out of 5).
The meat consistency feels comparable to the company's "Original", and chews more like it as well. It shows signs of being meaty, but overall this still feels largely gummy, due to the heavier sweetness. Chewing varies from easy to chewy. Some pieces feel moist, but most of them are somewhat dry.
Verdict
This Chile Limon beef jerky from Dried and True tasted more similar to their Original variety, but with the additional red chile flakes, and some extra sweet. The flakes add a little bit of chile flavor, and generates a low level of heat. Otherwise, I found no lemon flavor at all. It also missed the mark on being the company hottest variety; their Spicy Teriyaki is hotter, and offers a richer jalapeno flavor.
Rating: Average
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