Howdy, friends!
Today we’re tearing into a few pieces of Dussa’s Ham and Cheese Ltd’s Beef Jerky, purchased at their delicatessen counter store in the Granville Island Public Market in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Dussa’s Ham and Cheese Ltd’s Beef Jerky
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We had a great time at the the Public Market. There was a cornucopia of fresh produce, baked goods, cheeses and, of course, meats! Dussa’s selection of cheese was quite extensive but their assortment of jerky was respectable, but not excessive by any means. From comments overheard while standing in line it seems they make some of their own meats and source others from area meat-wizards who likely sell to one or more of the Market’s meat vendors. While the Dussa’s beef jerky bore a striking similarity to the beef jerky we picked up from the counter across the way at Armando’s Quality Meats we purchased a sample anyway to see what we could see. While their similarities are significant, they thankfully aren’t quite the same, so it was the proper thing to do to conduct a thorough review of Dussa’s wares. Is their meat as tasty as their neighbors? Let’s see what you get with this one:
Taste (A-): This is a simply seasoned jerky that takes the already delicious piece of beef and carefully enhances it’s flavor without trying to distract you with flash or gimmicks. It starts with a general saltiness that’s a bit strong, but not overbearing. There’s a bit of a peppery flavor in there too, but just barely. And that’s about it. It’s a straight-up tasty, old fashioned beef jerky and it’s fantastic!
Texture (A): This is really great meat. It’s a comparatively moist and tender jerky. There’s no difficulty in tearing off your bite and, while it’s substantial enough to require some effort, it breaks down quickly and is easy to chew. The pieces are large and cut along the grain so it tears with great ease, too. It’s just a terrific, quality jerky.
Smell (B): First, you smell the beef. It’s meaty and savory. Then you smell… the beef, with a slightly salty scent that makes that beef smell even just that much more enticing. It’s simplicity. It’s done right.
Appearance (A): With the large, thinly cut cut pieces, this jerky looks really good. The meat is cut along the grain and sports a dark brown color with a subtle reddish undertone. It has a slight sheen, but only slight, that brings out the texture of the meat. It looks every bit as fantastic as it tastes.
Consistency (A): This is a fantastically well-made jerky. The thickness of the pieces is uniform throughout. The moisture and tenderness of the meat is also exactingly done. From bite to bite the salty-meaty goodness holds true and you can clearly tell that this jerky was made with a deep understanding of how to do it right. It’s an exacting example of how to make great jerky.
Overall Impression (A-): This is a seriously good jerky. Simple. No frills. Exceptional. There’s a special joy to be found in beef jerky that is first and foremost about the beef. The folks at Dussa’s have given us just that. It’s beef, elevated to even greater heights, with a careful brine and a lot of TLC. This is yet another reason to find your way to the Granville Island Public Market the next time your meat tooth starts to itch. Swing by the deli counter at Dussa’s Ham and Cheese, Ltd. and sample some of this fine beef jerky. Enjoy!