South Africa is known for many things: its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and delicious food. One of the most popular snacks in the country is beef biltong, a delicious, nutritious dried meat that is similar to beef jerky. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at what biltong is, how it's made, and why we reckon everyone should try it.

The Origin

Biltong is a dried and cured meat that originates from South Africa. Whilst it is typically made from beef here in Australia, South African's will often use game meats like ostrich or venison as their base meat of choice. The meat is cut into large strips, seasoned with a variety of spices (usually including coriander, vinegar, salt, and pepper), and then air-dried for several days or weeks.

The Process

The process of making biltong begins with selecting the right cut of meat. Here at Doctor Proctor’s, we use premium-grade Australian topside beef from Victoria. The meat is then trimmed of any fat or gristle and cut into large strips (about 10-20cm long). Next, the spices are mixed together and rubbed into the meat strips. The seasoned strips are then placed on racks to air dry in a cool, dry place for several days or weeks. 

Once the biltong has reached the desired level of dryness, it is ready to be sliced down into smaller pieces, packed, and ready to be shipped to your door to be enjoyed by the whole family!

Why Should I Try Biltong? 

Biltong makes for a delicious and nutritious snack that is perfect for on-the-go eating. It is packed with protein and low in carbohydrates, sugar, and saturated fat, making it a great choice for those who are looking for a healthy snack option. Furthermore, biltong is an extremely low-maintenance snack. There’s no need to refrigerate biltong, there’s an extremely long shelf life, and once you open the pack it’ll still stay moist for days on end. 

Whether you're looking for a healthy snack to fuel your workouts or an on-the-go snack to tide you over until your next meal, look no further than beef biltong.