At the Summer Outdoor Retailer, we met fine folks from The New Primal, a small South Carolina company. They make wicked good jerky. And I say that as someone who needs a strong and well-reasoned temptation to veer from my usual vegetarian ways.
The New Primal jerked my chain. Call me the New Convert.
Aside from its savory taste and superior ingredients (Nothing murky: no chemicals or preservatives. Grass-fed beef.), the growing company gives us a wonderful variety of easily-packable protein options. I totally fell for their Trail Pack containing a delicious blend of beef jerky, cashews, almonds, and dried mango. Yum.
We sent New Primal packs out to a few UtahOutsiders. Here’s what they had to say:
UO kayaker:
Trail Pack from New Primal
I’ve been eating beef jerky for as long as I can remember. As a kid, jerky was one of the most important staples on long road trips out west. I remember really starting to dig it as a young boy spending summers out on a Montana ranch where my mom worked.. It made me feel manly and rugged. No matter what it tasted like, I just wanted to look and feel like a grizzled cowboy.
However, I’ve developed a more graduated palate. And the sustainable mission of The New Primal along with delicious guilt-free taste is a perfect blend of goodness for the soul.
UO backpacker:
I took the Free Range Turkey Jerky on a weekend camping trip. I had it by itself, with cheese and crackers, and even threw some in a rice and bean dish for dinner. What stands out is its flavor: subtle, sweet, mesquite. It is not overwhelming, nor does it taste like a bunch of chemicals or other imitation flavors. The real deal!
I’m not a jerky connoisseur, but it’s the best I’ve had.