Blog

Throughout human history, from the forest-dwelling days to the mediaeval ages to modern times, meat has been a very important part of our diet. That is the reason why we developed a lot of methods of preserving meat. One such method is used to produce Biltong.

The word biltong comprises two dutch words, bill (which means buttock) and tong (meaning strips). It is one of the most popular, tasty and healthy meat snacks consumed all over South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Perth and many other nations.

In short, Biltong is a variety of sliced meat that is dried and cured using ingredients like black pepper, coriander, salt, vinegar etc., in order to preserve it for a long time and prepare a different kind of taste. Traditionally in southern African countries where Biltong originated, it is prepared with various types of meats, e.g. beef and meats of wild hunted animals like ostrich, antelopes etc. In current times mostly beef fillets and sirloin are used for making biltongs. 

Traditional Biltongs

As mentioned earlier, Biltong is native to South African countries, where it has been prepared for generations in traditional ways, which are a bit different from biltongs prepared in other places. Unlike other countries, biltong was made only during the winter season and heat was not generally used in the traditional South African methods.

In this process, the meat is cut into thick slices and then hung outdoors for the cold chilly winds to dehydrate the meat slowly and effectively. For some of these recipes, the meat is dipped into vinegar for a few hours, and then salt and other spices are also added to it before hanging it to dry out.

Cold weather conditions play a major role in creating biltong because such weather has very low chances of bacterial growth and mold. In the traditional ways, heat is not preferred as it won’t produce the best authentic biltong. 

There are also other methods like using wooden Biltong boxes or climate control rooms which use heat to dry out the meat. In these methods, the risk of bacterial growth and mold formation is very high. That is the reason substances like curing salts (nitrates or nitrites) are used which prevents bacterial growth and mold formation. Apart from all these lots of different flavours of biltongs are prepared by using various other spices.

Delicacies like DRYWORS/DROËWORS – TRADITIONAL FLAVOUR & GARLIC BITES – BILTONG STICKS are two very flavours examples of traditional and modern Biltong.

Are Biltong and Jerky the Same Thing?

Similarities in terms of looks, preparation process and lack of awareness often cause this confusion among people regarding the difference between biltong and jerky. But in spite of both being cured meat and all the similarities, these two have lots of differences which is important to note.

One of the key differences between Biltong and beef jerky is the size of the cuts. Jerky is cut into very lean slices, whereas biltong is sliced into thick pieces. 

In terms of preparation, Biltong is cured with vinegar, salt and other spices and then hung out in the air to get dehydrated. While in the case of Jerky preparation, vinegar is not used. Jerky is rubbed with salt, spices etc. and then cooked over heat to slowly dry and cook the meat.

When it comes to taste and flavour, both Biltong and beef Jerky depend on the spicing used on them. But the drying process also adds some taste to these items. For example, the vinegar added to Biltong causes a small acidic hint to its taste and flavour. As Jerky is often smoked, they have a smokey taste in comparison to Biltong which is rarely smoked and gives a thick meaty taste. 

The texture of Jerky is also quite different from Biltong. Biltong having a higher fat percentage than Jerky, is mostly chewy and soft, unlike Jerky, which is tougher and thinner. The meat used for Jerky is also mostly beef, but Biltong is traditionally made out of different kinds of meat. 

Another difference and reason for the confusion between these two items are their cultural origins and eating habits. Jerky is primarily from North America, and Biltong is from South Africa. South African Beef Jerky is also often referred to as Biltong. 

When looking at the nutritional value and health benefits, Biltong is a bit superior as it is naturally made and flavoured without any addition of sugar additives which is not the case with Jerky. Jerky is generally made with a lot of sauces, artificial flavours and salt, which causes a subtle decrease in its nutritional qualities. Apart from this, the protein content of Biltong is also slightly higher than Jerky.

How to Eat Biltong or South African Beef Jerky?

For those who are not native to nations where Biltong is popularly consumed, this can be a query of meat lovers before trying it for the first time. The best way to get this answer is to ask out a South African friend, but if you don’t have that luxury, you can have a look at the following.

Generally, Biltong is consumed as a dry snack, but it is not the only way it can be consumed. Putting it into stews and muffins is a good recipe to get a soft juicy taste of it, with its flavours elevating the taste of the stew.

Nowadays, finely shredded Biltongs are also used in muffins, pot bread, sandwiches etc. Biltong-flavored potato Crisps are also present in the market.

Nutritional Values of Biltong or South African Beef Jerky

For Biltong and Jerky lovers, it is very good news that both these foods are rich in micronutrients like protein, iron, magnesium, vitamin B6 etc., which are very much needed for a healthy body.

For those of you who are looking for lean muscle gains, Biltong is a very tasty option to be included in your diet.

Where Can We Get the Best Biltong?

The increasing popularity of Biltong in many countries like Australia, Canada, Ireland, India etc., has given rise to many online and offline retail enterprises that claim to provide authentic South African Beef Jerky or Biltong. 

Trying out this item and reading various reviews are some of the most common methods to find out which one is the best, but if you are looking for the best beef Jerky in Perth, you just have to visit the Mufasa Biltong and get the most authentic South African Beef Jerky or Biltong in very affordable prices.

Biltong is an extremely tasty, healthy and ancient delicacy that is celebrated by many meat lovers all over the world. The manufacturing process is easy, and you can get a plethora of tastes and flavours from some of the best online or physical meat shops around you. Try this delicacy and indulge in a world of exquisite and luxurious meat today.