Goo Goo Clusters

$3.20

$3.20 bag (each)

CandySKU: 12011

A Brief History of Goo Goo Clusters

 

Goo Goo Clusters were born in 1912 in Nashville, Tennessee, cooked up by Howell Campbell and the Standard Candy Company. They’re often called the first “combination” candy bar, tossing together caramel, marshmallow nougat, roasted peanuts, and milk chocolate in a messy, roundish heap—nothing like the tidy chocolate bars of the day. The name supposedly came from Campbell’s kid saying “goo goo” as his first words, inspiring a schoolteacher on a streetcar to suggest it. They started out unwrapped, sold from glass jars in local shops, since mass packaging wasn’t a thing yet.

By the 1920s, with hygiene concerns growing, they got hand-wrapped in tinfoil and spread nationwide, even hitching a ride with the Grand Ole Opry as a sponsor. The recipe’s barely changed in over a century, though they’ve added variations like pecan and peanut butter versions. Still a Nashville icon, they churn out thousands an hour now, but the old-school vibe sticks.

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From Harvard Health Publishing:

Nitrates in processed meats (including processed jerky products)

“Cured or processed meats — bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and ham, as well as deli meats such as chicken, turkey, roast beef, and salami — often contain added nitrates and nitrites. These compounds prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, add a salty flavor, and make the meat appear red or pink.

Traditionally, food producers used synthetic sodium nitrate, but many now use nitrates derived from vegetables such as celery. The packaging on these products often contains phrases like “no added nitrates or nitrites.” But the fine print usually says something like “except those naturally occurring in celery powder.”

While natural nitrates might sound healthier, that’s not the case — your body can’t tell the difference. Nitrates convert to nitrites, and in the stomach’s acidic environment, nitrites interact with certain components concentrated in meat to form N-nitroso compounds, which are potential carcinogens. Earlier research suggested that these substances might be responsible for the increased colon cancer rates seen in people who eat lots of processed meat. But the connection remains unclear, says Dr. Willett.

However, there are other reasons to avoid processed meat, which he considers to be one of the least healthy types of food people can eat. “Processed meats contain other additives and are very high in sodium, which is a well-established risk factor for high blood pressure and heart disease,” he says. Many observational studies have linked high intakes of processed meat to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.”

At Oak Cliff BBQ Company we do not use nitrates to cure our beef jerky. Properly smoked and dried out jerky will last approximately six months.

Our policy on consumption of our jerky has been reduced to two months from the smoke date, and one month from the package date. This ensures that our customers DO NOT consume nitrates, but rather the freshest, additive free jerky available anywhere.

As for nitrates in general? Oak Cliff BBQ Co’s take is simple: Never consume processed jerky made with nitrates.

Nitrates in processed meats (including processed jerky products)

“Cured or processed meats — bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and ham, as well as deli meats such as chicken, turkey, roast beef, and salami — often contain added nitrates and nitrites. These compounds prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, add a salty flavor, and make the meat appear red or pink.
Traditionally, food producers used synthetic sodium nitrate, but many now use nitrates derived from vegetables such as celery. The packaging on these products often contains phrases like “no added nitrates or nitrites.” But the fine print usually says something like “except those naturally occurring in celery powder.”

While natural nitrates might sound healthier, that’s not the case — your body can’t tell the difference. Nitrates convert to nitrites, and in the stomach’s acidic environment, nitrites interact with certain components concentrated in meat to form N-nitroso compounds, which are potential carcinogens. Earlier research suggested that these substances might be responsible for the increased colon cancer rates seen in people who eat lots of processed meat. But the connection remains unclear, says Dr. Willett.

However, there are other reasons to avoid processed meat, which he considers to be one of the least healthy types of food people can eat. “Processed meats contain other additives and are very high in sodium, which is a well-established risk factor for high blood pressure and heart disease,” he says. Many observational studies have linked high intakes of processed meat to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.”
At Oak Cliff BBQ Company we do not use nitrates to cure our beef jerky. Properly smoked and dried out jerky will last approximately six months.

Our policy on consumption of our jerky has been reduced to two months from the smoke date, and one month from the package date. This ensures that our customers DO NOT consume nitrates, but rather the freshest, additive free jerky available anywhere.

As for nitrates in general? Oak Cliff BBQ Co’s take is simple: Never consume processed jerky made with nitrates.