Biltong, the snack revolution

Strips of dried meat called biltong have become the preferred snack for sportsmen and women. Specialized media place it as the trendy snack after a training session. Biltong is a real delicacy, with a salty and spicy taste and smooth texture. It just came from South Africa and has already made quite a name for itself as a revolutionary, superfood and amazing treat.

Biltong is a South African delicacy. A daily and popular food. It is a type of dried meat. Although the most popular form is beef, in South Africa it is also made with other types of meat, such as chicken, ostrich or gazelle.

The meat is marinated in vinegar, salt and a variety of spices, including black pepper and coriander, and is left to dry. Other common seasonings are ground chilies, garlic, Worcestershire sauce or onion powder.

With this process, a high percentage protein product is obtained (around 55%, with the possibility of reaching 67%), low fat content (less than 5%) and almost no sugars. Biltong is neither smoked, salted nor cured but is a macerated, spiced and air-dried steak. This makes it different in appearance, color, smell, flavor and even in texture.

Ideal to serve as an appetizer, it is also an excellent ingredient for salads, creams, rice and vegetables. This way, you get the most of your flavor and protein. In South Africa it is also added to stews and salty cakes.

Origin of biltong

The preservation of meat through drying dates back to ancient times. It is said that a tribe used to lay strips of dried meat under their saddles so that the rubbing would soften the meat. In addition, the sweat of the animals provided salinity to the strips.

Upon their arrival in southern Africa in the 17th century, European settlers were forced to preserve the meat for their survival during the exploration of the continent. In order to make the preservation of food better and safer, they added saltpeter and vinegar to the drying processes already known to the Indians. This is how biltong flourished and became part of the South African tradition.

As a curiosity, the word biltong comes from the Dutch “bil” (cow’s bottom) and “tong” (strip), that is, “strip of meat”