Biltong

Biltong ( bil of Dutch " club" and tong "tongue" ) is a specialty of the South African and Namibian cuisine, consisting of air-dried beef or venison.

Biltong is very popular among all classes of society. Since 2010, biltong may also be imported from the EU countries.

In some selected markets can in principle a similar product, Beef Jerky, Buy, which is the U.S. version of biltong and consists of beef. The taste can be Biltong limited compare with Beef Jerky.

Production

For the production of beef biltong is often used - but it is especially common in Namibia to use meat from ostrich, kudu, springbok, eland, gemsbok and other wildlife.

The meat is cut into strips, rubbed with a seasoning mixture of brown sugar, saltpetre, coriander and pepper, drizzled with vinegar, cover and sidelined 6 to 8 hours. Hanging the meat is then air-dried for up to two weeks until it is half dried and has lost 40-50 % of its weight. It is then wrapped in wax paper and kept cool.

A simpler method of biltong production was traditionally used for wild, especially in zebra meat. The meat was cut into strips rubbed with salt and then dried in the sun until it was rock hard. This meat had to be cut before eating into small pieces and softened up.

Biltong is dried half three weeks durable, fully dried for about two years.

The production of biltong in regions without dry air is using a " biltong box" possible, a heated and ventilated box in which the meat is hung to dry.

Others

2013 revealed a study conducted by the University of the Western Cape study that up to 90 % of South Africa produced as venison Biltong and accordingly declared goods in addition to the species mentioned on the packaging and meat from other animals such as horse, giraffe, pig and even kangaroo contained. One sample also contained meat of the endangered mountain zebra. Contrast, however, were all declared as beef biltong products actually only beef. The South African government subsequently announced to conduct thorough investigations.

Gallery

Biltong in the dry cabinet in Johannesburg, South Africa

Biltong from near