What is South African Biltong

Biltong is similar to beef jerky. Biltong is cured meat that came from South Africa. Many different types of meat are used to produce biltong, from beef to game. Biltong is typically made from raw meat cut into strips.  The word biltong is from the Dutch bil ("rump") and tong ("strip" or "tongue").

The Dutch settlers who arrived in South Africa in the 17th century brought recipes for dried meat from Europe. Preparation involved applying vinegar, then rubbing the strips of meat with a mix of herbs, salts and spices. Biltong as we understand it today evolved from the dried meat carried by the wagon-travelling Voortrekkers, who needed stocks of durable food as they migrated from the Cape Town into the interior of Southern Africa during the Great Trek. The raw meat was preserved from decay and insects within a day or two, and within a fortnight, would be black and rock-hard after it had fully cured.

Meat

Biltong is most commonly made from beef, primarily due to its widespread availability and lower cost relative to game. For finest cuts, sirloin is used or steaks cut from the hip such as topside or silverside. Other cuts can be used, but are not as high in quality.

Biltong can also be made from:

▪ Game such as kudu and springbok

▪ Ostrich meat 

▪ Chicken, simply referred to as 'chicken biltong'

▪ Fish in this case, known as bokkoms

Bokkoms should not be confused with other cured fish such as dried angelfish and dried snoek (snook).

Comparison to jerky

Biltong differs from jerky in two distinct ways:

▪ The meat used in biltong can be much thicker; typically biltong meat is cut in strips approx 1 inch wide - but can be thicker. Jerky is normally very thin meat.

▪ The vinegar and salt in biltong, together with the drying process, cures the meat as well as adding texture and flavour. Jerky is traditionally dried without vinegar.

Eating

While biltong is renowned for being chewed as a snack, it can also be diced up into stews, added to muffins and pot bread. Biltong-flavoured potato crisps have also been produced.

Biltong can be used as a teething aid for babies. Some retail stores offer a mild form of biltong especially for this purpose which does not contain the spices used for flavouring.[citation needed

Biltong worldwide

Biltong's popularity has spread to many other countries, notably the United Kingdom. Bushman's Delight Biltong Company based in Dorset are recognised as being one of the best producers of biltong in the UK as they have won the "Best Biltong in the UK"  in 2010 and 2011. 

Biltong produced in South Africa may not be imported into Britain, according to rules governing the importation of meat-based products from non-EU countries laid down by Customs & Excise department, thus it is made in the UK.