Jerky has always been a favourite snack in Australia. It was popular among soldiers during the Second World War and again in the 1970s when it was marketed as a healthy alternative to other protein sources like nuts and seeds. But what’s behind its continued popularity? Let’s look at some of the reasons why Beef Jerky in Australia is so famous:
Jerky is like mullet — it’s all business.
Jerky is like mullet—it’s all business. It’s not a complicated food. You want to eat it, it’s delicious and satisfying, but you don’t have to spend hours thinking about what went into making it or how it was made. And that’s the beauty of jerky: It’s just meat that has been preserved by drying or smoking, with no added flavourings or cooking required.
There isn’t anything fancy about jerky, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of benefits from eating it regularly. A serving of jerky contains around 200 calories and 15 grams of protein—more than half the recommended daily amount for an adult male. Beef is also naturally high in iron (a mineral essential for blood formation), zinc (which promotes healthy skin cell growth) and B vitamins such as niacin (which helps convert food into energy) and riboflavin (which helps keep skin cells healthy).
It’s quick and easy to eat.
When you’re on the go, jerky is a perfect snack. It’s small and portable so that it can fit anywhere — in your bag, car, or pocket! The best part? No utensils are required!
Because it’s quick to eat and easy to chew, you’ll find yourself finishing off a bag before you know it—and before other people even notice. There’s no need for awkward pauses as they wait for you to finish chewing; pop another piece of jerky into your mouth and keep eating!
Compared with other protein sources, jerky packs a lot of meat into small packaging.
Compared with other protein sources, jerky packs a lot of meat into small packaging. A single serving (about 1 ounce) provides more than 5 grams of protein and is an excellent source of iron. It also contains nearly 20 per cent of your daily recommended intake for vitamin B12, which helps support the nervous system; zinc and selenium—two minerals that help keep your immune system healthy; and protein.
In addition to being high in protein, jerky has very little fat—about 3% by weight or less than ten calories per serving. That’s why it’s often considered a healthier alternative to processed meat snacks like hot dogs or bologna sausages (which contain about twice as much fat).
Flavours are getting wilder.
You’re not alone if you feel like jerky is a relatively new phenomenon. While it’s true that Beef Jerky in Australia has been around since the early 20th century, new flavours are being introduced all the time.
Many people are being more adventurous with their jerky flavours these days, and the market is responding by making more varieties of meat products available at big box stores like Woolworths and Coles. Here are just a few examples:
- Honey Soy Chicken Jerky
- Smoked Salmon Jerky
- Sweet Chilli jerky
Conclusion
One of the reasons why jerky has become so popular in Australia is that there are more options and ways to eat it than ever before. What was once mainly a snack food made with a simple marinade and dried is now being prepared in many different ways. These include:
- Spiced with herbs
- Stuffed with cheese or other ingredients
- Cooked on the barbecue until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside
With its unique taste and texture, Beef Jerky will surely be a hit with any Aussie. It’s easy to see why it has become so popular in Australia.
