Beef Jerky

Beef Jerky is simply beef that is cut into long, thin strips and dried (traditionally by the sun).

Drying has been a method of food preservation throughout the history of mankind.

Dried meat strips are known to just about every culture on earth. And in many cases, they represent the original prepared foods, even predating cooking itself.

Jerky was a popular staple with America's early trappers, just as it is with today's backpackers because it keeps almost indefinitely and is light and easy to transport.

Jerky is quite tough and salty but is very flavorful and high in protein.

Today's Beef Jerky

It's certainly not necessary in our time to preserve beef by drying it.

So why is jerky in every gas station and convenience store?

Simply because it tastes so good!

The low carb food craze probably hasn't hurt any either.

Today's jerky is not simply dried beef. By using rubs and marinades the manufacturers make it available in every flavoring they can conceive.

The "salted meat snack" industry generated more than $300 million in sales in the last year.

Artisan Beef Jerky

If you would like to sample what jerky really should taste like you won't find it in a gas station.

That jerky was manufactured in the giant food factories and has all kinds of foreign stuff in it and on it. Including nitrates, nitrites, MSG and no telling what other chemicals and preservatives.

To get great jerky you have two choices. Choice number one is to make it yourself. Choice number two is to buy from the artisan jerky makers.

If you would like to give making your own a try then visit How To Make Beef Jerky .

It's not difficult.

I highly suggest you order some from the artisans just once so you can at least have a benchmark for your own homemade jerky.

These people are craftsmen that take pride in their work. They don't keep a large inventory so you know your jerky hasn't been sitting on a shelf for months.

There are also no chemical preservatives in it or on it. Just high quality all natural stuff!

If you're lucky enough to have a shop near you then make a trip. If you don't you can still order some artisan jerky over the Internet. (What did I do before the Internet?)

Enter Beef Jerky in the search box and you should find plenty of craftsmen that will be more than happy to take your order.

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