Biltong, specifically, was first created by the indigenous people of South Africa over 400 years ago. They preserved their meat by curing it with salt and hanging it to dry.
When was biltong first made?
The biltong recipe was originally created and refined by the Dutch settlers in South Africa in the 17th century . Biltong is a staple of the South African lifestyle and is made from cured, spiced and dried beef, venison (Kudu and other antelope such as Impala are popular options) and even Ostrich.
Why is biltong illegal in the US?
Biltong, Dutch for “meat strip,” has been eaten in Southern Africa for centuries. The cured snack was originally brought from European settlers and adapted by natives as a hunting snack over the years. Because of the way the meat is cured, it’s illegal to import it into the U.S.
Where is biltong most popular?
As the climate was extremely hot, they needed to preserve the meat, so they hung it out to dry and found out that it had become hard on the exterior, yet flavorful on the inside. And so, biltong was born, enjoyed today both in South Africa and abroad as a testament to its ever-growing popularity.
Why is biltong called biltong?
The word biltong comes from the Dutch bil (“rump”) and tong (“strip” or “tongue”) , and it is typically made from premium quality, raw fillets of meat which are cut into strips following the grain of the muscle meat, hung to air dry naturally to preserve.
Why is Biltong bad for you?
Biltong tends to be very high in sodium , with some types packing as much as 20% of your daily sodium allowance per ounce (28 grams) ( 9 ). Research suggests that excessive sodium intake may negatively affect your heart health, blood pressure, and stroke risk ( 10 ).
What is Biltong called in America?
Jerky and Biltong are different, but what is the difference? Biltong and Jerky are similar in that they are both dried meats, the taste and the production process is different. Biltong originates from South Africa (of course), whereas Jerky originates from North and South America.
Can I take biltong to America?
You must have the certificate in your possession when you enter the United States with the biltong, or otherwise the product will be seized by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspectors at the U.S. port of entry.
Does biltong taste good?
Biltong tastes like a well seasoned steak . It’s dried beef in its purest form.
Does biltong need vinegar?
No. There are two types of white vinegar , regular white vinegar should absolutely not be used for biltong . White wine vinegar can be used but it is not the best option for making biltong . When thinking about which vinegar is best for biltong you need to understand the different vinegar characteristics.
Is it healthy to eat biltong?
Biltong is low in fat, usually averaging 3%, which makes it a popular weight-reducing diet choice. It is naturally gluten-free . It’s the ideal banting snack. It is high in Vitamin B12 which is essential for healthy blood and nerve cells as well as successful cell replication.
Is biltong raw meat?
Biltong uses raw fillets of meat , which are cut into strips along the grain of the muscle or sliced across the grain. Different types of meat including chicken, fish, game and ostrich meat are all used to produce biltong. ... Beef is the primary meat because of its widespread availability and low cost.
Is biltong old meat?
Biltong is basically a dried meat . It can be beef, poultry, fish, or game meats, as long as it’s appropriately flavored, air-dried, and rendered absolutely delicious.
Who first made biltong?
Biltong, specifically, was first created by the indigenous people of South Africa over 400 years ago. They preserved their meat by curing it with salt and hanging it to dry. Although at that time it wasn’t known as Biltong.
Is biltong a Afrikaans word?
Biltong is a form of dried , cured meat that originated in Southern African countries (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia). ... The word biltong is from the Dutch bil (“buttock”) and tong (“strip” or “tongue”).
Is biltong better than jerky?
Biltong and Jerky are Two Great Healthy Snacks
Biltong is typically softer , slightly more flavorful and usually comes with higher fat content. Whereas jerky is a little bit drier, smokier and made with leaner cuts of beef which makes it higher in protein and contains fewer fat calories.
