Biltong, a form of cured, dried meat is typically made using beef. There has been a lot of speculation surrounding red meat, such as beef, including that it is bad for you and will increase your risk of several cancers. While it’s hard to determine exactly what causes and prevents disease, what we can say for sure is that meat is a natural – and somewhat essential – part of the food pyramid. Furthermore, the type of beef used and the process for making biltong makes in not only safe, but also a delicious and nutritious snack. It contains no nitrates Nitrates are commonly used in many processed meats as preservatives. Processed turkey meat, for example, contains sodium nitrite. These...
Typically when most people think about meat, they think about the environment and the hoards of research that has shown the negative effects of the animal agriculture industry on the planet. If that’s true, does that mean that biltong is bad for the environment? Animal agriculture and the state of the planet Two of the most pressing issues humans face today is the issue of food security and climate change. Livestock production is considered to be one of the biggest producers of greenhouse gasses because the potent greenhouse gas, methane, is produced from digestion. While this may be true, it is also worth noting that grass-fed beef has a substantially lower impact on the environment - in addition to being...
The origins of biltong date all the way back to the early 17th century. Used primarily as a survival technique, biltong would eventually go on to become a hometown favourite of those who grew up and live in South Africa.
Biltong, a form of dried, cured meat, is extremely versatile and therefore easy to integrate into a number of different dishes. For starters, the type of meat used to make biltong varies. While beef is the most common choice, as it is inexpensive and easy to obtain, biltong can also be made from game, ostrich, chicken and fish, meaning it will pair well with just about anything. Biltong pasta dishes Biltong is also diverse in the way it can be prepared. Biltong can be dry and crumbly, which would allow it to integrate well with a salad. Or it can be tender, chewy and soft, which makes it a perfect addition to a pasta dish. Creamy pasta with tender biltong...
For thousands of years countries all over the world have used different recipes and methods for preserving meat – a tradition that began out of the need for food to last travellers, hunters and explorers long trips without spoiling. Dried meat is a nutritious and lightweight food that works well for people who are constantly on the move. Dried meat – including biltong – has played a large role in the survival of humankind over many centuries. History of dried meat in Europe The popularity of dried meat began in Europe during Roman times. The Roman army was fed mainly on a diet of pork, and the meat needed to be salted or smoked in order to preserve it. History...
