Hi Guys,
A few months ago I posted a question to the Brethren, I wanted to know if Berkshire pork was worth the extra money, overwhelmingly you told me it is worth it only if I think so... Fair enough, I'm always up for a cook challenge :grin:
So a few months ago D'artagnan had a sale on Berkshire spare ribs, I picked up 3 slabs for $60.00 rather than the normal price of $98.00. https://www.dartagnan.com/berkshire-pork-st.-louis-ribs/product/ZPORBER036.html
Yesterday I picked up my "go to" brand Smithfield for the comparison.
So in all these pictures the Smithfield ribs are the wider and longer rib. Here they are pre-rub:
On the BGE they go, I smoked with apple and peach for 4 hours at 270 degrees:
Both were finished and pulled at the same time, to be clear, the Berkshire are on the right and Smithfield on the left.
Finally plated:
Here are my final thoughts.... Let's talk price per slab.
Berkshire (on sale): $20.00
Smithfield (at Walmart): $10.87
I tried to keep this test as fair as possible. While both ribs were good and I'd have no problem serving to company, I can't justify paying double for Berkshire. We go a lot of ribs, I'm guessing 45 slabs a year so for that reason I don't think I'll be buying any more.
That being said, I do however think there is a huge quality difference in choice vs. prime beef and I will gladly pay the difference, and as long as I ranting here :blah: I will gladly pay for air cooled chicken.
My next Berkshire test will be Berkshire pork chops vs. butcher pork chops... stay tuned.
Thanks for looking!
Greg
A few months ago I posted a question to the Brethren, I wanted to know if Berkshire pork was worth the extra money, overwhelmingly you told me it is worth it only if I think so... Fair enough, I'm always up for a cook challenge :grin:
So a few months ago D'artagnan had a sale on Berkshire spare ribs, I picked up 3 slabs for $60.00 rather than the normal price of $98.00. https://www.dartagnan.com/berkshire-pork-st.-louis-ribs/product/ZPORBER036.html
Yesterday I picked up my "go to" brand Smithfield for the comparison.
So in all these pictures the Smithfield ribs are the wider and longer rib. Here they are pre-rub:
On the BGE they go, I smoked with apple and peach for 4 hours at 270 degrees:
Both were finished and pulled at the same time, to be clear, the Berkshire are on the right and Smithfield on the left.
Finally plated:
Here are my final thoughts.... Let's talk price per slab.
Berkshire (on sale): $20.00
Smithfield (at Walmart): $10.87
I tried to keep this test as fair as possible. While both ribs were good and I'd have no problem serving to company, I can't justify paying double for Berkshire. We go a lot of ribs, I'm guessing 45 slabs a year so for that reason I don't think I'll be buying any more.
That being said, I do however think there is a huge quality difference in choice vs. prime beef and I will gladly pay the difference, and as long as I ranting here :blah: I will gladly pay for air cooled chicken.
My next Berkshire test will be Berkshire pork chops vs. butcher pork chops... stay tuned.
Thanks for looking!
Greg