Biltong: My favorite South African Snack

Over these past 3 weeks of living and exploring South Africa, I have learned so much more than I could have ever fathomed. I have learned about their culture, language, and history, but my favorite thing about the food culture in South Africa has been Biltong.

First, what is biltong?
Biltong is a type of cured meat that originated in South Africa. Biltong is similar to beef jerky in look and texture but has the benefit of being less processed and having a much richer taste. Biltong is made by marinating strips of meat in a mixture of salt, vinegar, spices, and occasionally herbs for several hours. After the meat is done marinating, it gets air dried in a controlled space. Scientists speculate that biltong was first invented in the early 1600s by native South Africans.

Biltong can be made with countless different meats and mixtures.  These range from local game meats such as ostrich, springbok, and kudu to more familiar meats such as beef and chicken. Biltong is also a high protein low carb snack making it popular with people that are following high-protein or low carb diets. After trying all of these, my personal favorite has been ostrich.

Biltong is a staple of South African culture and is a very delicious snack. It has also been a popular snack among my family during this road trip and is a must eat when traveling to South Africa.

See you next week!