National Jerky Day

The National Jerky Day is designed just for meat lovers all over the world.

For thousands of years, most human civilizations benefited from a meat-based diet. Combine protein with added fat and nutrients, and meat provides humans with the fuel they need to grow their brains, heal their bodies, and survive the long cold winters.

One problem that people always face with meat is that it will inevitably, sometimes very quickly, spoil. National Jerky Day celebrates one of the processes by which people created a way for meat to last and keep for months. Not only that, it's much easier to take away and all without sacrificing the delicious taste of the food!

History of National Jerky Day

National Jerky Day was first established in 2012, by two major meat companies - Jack Link's Beef Jerky and Wisconsin Beef Council. The idea behind it is not only to increase sales but also to celebrate the growing popularity of dried meat snacks worldwide. According to several consumer surveys, the demand for meat snacks is now second only to the demand for chips, so junk food deserves a day of its own!

Historically, we only think of any nomadic tribe or hunter-gatherer community and dried meat as a staple of their diet. Therefore, methods of handling and drying meat also date back many centuries. This is the best way to preserve meat, reduce bulk and also carry it on the go. The word "jerky" itself is derived from the ancient Incan language Quechua, where the term "ch'arki" was used to refer to "dried, salted meat". When the Spaniards arrived in South America, they changed the word to 'charqui', which was then spelled out in the script 'Jerky of sensationalism invented in history and groups of people. For example, many Native American tribes also make their own buffalo meat. They would combine this with dried fruit and suet (the hard fat of beef) to form a food called 'pemmican'. This dish lasts a long time and is ideal when traveling as it is both nutritious and portable.

Nowadays, there is a huge market for sensational games in different forms around the world. Going through any meat-eating culture might show you different methods of preparing dried meat, but at the end of the day, it's all forms of dried meat. Across the United States, every gas station, supermarket, and convenience store is bound to have an assortment of snacks, taking snacking to another level.

Why National Jerky Day?

Consumer surveys show that junk food is second only to chips when it comes to their popularity as a snack, and they also turn out to be the best company when you're on the road. Humans' journey began as hunter-gatherers, living nomadic lives when dried meat was a major part of their diet. Dried lean meat is easy to transport and store, which is why different methods of drying meat after drying have been around for a long time.

One could attribute the invention of this innovative snack to South Americans, more specifically the beef jerky that originated in the early 1800s from South America. The term "dried meat" is derived from "charki", a Quechua, Inca word for dried and salted meat. There are also Native American tribes who prepare buffalo meat with dried fruit, making it the perfect travel meal. With annual popularity and becoming your ultimate snack any day, this snack demands an anniversary, bringing on National Jerky Day.

5 examples of jerky from around the world

• Pemmican

Made by Native American tribes, this version combines dried meat, fat, and berries.

• Coppiette

Italian sticks are seasoned with salt, cumin and red peppers, then oven-dried in pairs.

• Quant'a

The Ethiopian version where strips of meat are seasoned with salt, black pepper and a special spice blend called Berbere.

• Kishi

Beef strips dipped in a sauce of peanuts, onions and spices, and then dried - they are popular in Nigeria and Niger.

• Biltong

South African beef jerky is named "rump" by the Dutch and "tongue" - a type of dried beef soaked in vinegar.

How to celebrate National Jerky Day

• Explore the sensational world

If you stick with a particular brand or flavor, we dare you to try something new. Head to the nearest convenience store or grocery store and surprise yourself by choosing a different flavor or drink. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, try some kangaroo, alligator, Hawaiian, or caffeinated jerk - they might keep you coming for more.

• Read it up and do it yourself

Expand your horizons (and culinary skills) by reading different ways to create appeal. Then choose one and experiment. Jerky is not always eaten as a snack; it can be used as an ingredient in soups, stews, etc.; especially if you are cooking outdoors.

• Buy one and feed a child

In 2010, in Amarillo, Texas, Dyron and Kelly Howell discovered 10 hungry children and found that more than 3,200 children in the city's school district relied on school meals for their daily food. Together with the beef and dairy community, as well as children's food charities, SP4K was established. The organization now offers children's protein-rich 'snack packs' that include beef jerky - specifically SP4K Beef Stiks, supplied by Clint and Sons, a meat company.

• Eat some Jerky

The most obvious, yet essential, way to celebrate National Jerky Day is to seek out some delicious beef jerky and then enjoy it! Buy some locally produced or sample beef, turkey, or other well-known branded dry meats that can be found at a nearby grocery store.

• Take Jerky on a Trip

Have you ever wondered why jerky is often sold to people who travel a lot? Not only is the food easy to store, but meat also loses about 75% of its original weight during the drying process. However, it does not lose its nutritional value or taste. That means it's light and easy to carry, but it still packs a good amount of protein!

So next time work travels, be prepared to pack that beef jerky. Or for that matter, just toss it in a lunchbox and take it to work for a healthy snack.

Why we love National Jerky Day

• Jerky is convenient

Not only is it easy to pack and carry, but it can also be marketed anywhere. This snack obviously wins out over other savory snacks like popcorn and savory pretzels, so you know we're not just trying to promote this treat.

• Jerky has the ability to adapt

The great thing about recoil is how versatile it can be. Not only is there a multitude of different recipes and cooking methods, but it also comes in a wide variety of flavors, making it the perfect dish to experiment with in the kitchen. If the pre-packaged recoil boosts your speed, there's enough variety in that department to get you spinning too!

• All flavors, no weight

Beef jerky not only helps to lose 75% of the weight of the meat due to its dehydration, but it is also great for your weight loss! Given the high density of protein and other nutrients that meat has, this is a snack, both literally and figuratively, as it is healthy (low in fat and high in protein).