top of page

​

What is Biltong?

​

Biltong (English pronunciation "bill-tong") is the marinaded and seasoned air dried meat product that is one of the best known Southern African delicacies. Not to be confused with the smoked American version - beef jerky - biltong can be made from many different types of meat ranging from beef through game meats to fillets of ostrich. It is typically made from raw fillets of meat cut into strips following the grain of the muscle, or flat pieces sliced across the grain. It is similar to beef jerk...y in that they are both spiced, dried meats, but differ in their typical ingredients, taste and production process.

 

Dutch settlers who arrived in South Africa in the 17th century brought recipes for dried meat from Europe. Preparation involved applying vinegar, rubbing the strips of meat with a mix of herbs, salts and spices. The need for preservation in the new colony was pressing. Building up herds of livestock took a long time. There was native game about but it could take hunters days to track and kill a large animal and they were then faced with the problem of preserving a large mass of meat. Biltong as ...we understand it today evolved from the dried meat carried by the wagon-travelling Voortrekkers, who needed stocks of durable food as they migrated from the Cape Colony north-eastward (away from British rule) into the interior of Southern Africa during the Great Trek. The raw meat was preserved from decay and insects within a day or two and within a fortnight would be fully cured.

​

IMG_4227

IMG_4227

IMG_4347

IMG_4347

IMG_4345

IMG_4345

IMG_4333

IMG_4333

IMG_4265

IMG_4265

IMG_4263

IMG_4263

IMG_4140

IMG_4140

IMG_4085

IMG_4085

IMG_3965

IMG_3965

IMG_3333

IMG_3333

IMG_3326 (1)

IMG_3326 (1)

-5117268386713802113_IMG_4174 (1)

-5117268386713802113_IMG_4174 (1)

-4789869166399607415_IMG_4175 (1)

-4789869166399607415_IMG_4175 (1)

4710485052264071283_IMG_4184

4710485052264071283_IMG_4184

4617370028993827398_IMG_4151

4617370028993827398_IMG_4151

1868551356471700635_IMG_4198

1868551356471700635_IMG_4198

-1077431401495304670_IMG_4191

-1077431401495304670_IMG_4191

-3229690514663952451_IMG_4176 (1)

-3229690514663952451_IMG_4176 (1)

-2672528531447698283_IMG_4161

-2672528531447698283_IMG_4161

-2174899254230569888_IMG_4188

-2174899254230569888_IMG_4188

-1995588168991626490_IMG_4155

-1995588168991626490_IMG_4155

© Mark's Tasty Tong

​

Duncow Cottage, 32 Shropshire Street, Market Drayton, TF9 3DD

(+44) 07471 470 846

​

markstastytong@gmail.com

bottom of page