Beef jerky is commonly sliced into strips before the cooking and drying process. Biltong is air dried as a whole piece and then sliced into bite-sized pieces. Due to the drying and slicing process, most biltong is softer and fluffier in texture whereas beef jerky has more of a steak-like chew.
Besides, How long does biltong take in a dehydrator?
FOOD DEHYDRATOR
Keep in mind though that to get amazing biltong, you need to keep the temperature of your dehydrator to 30 to 40 degrees Celsius max and have thinner slices of meat to will keep the airflow going. You will have your biltong ready in about 2 to 3 days.
Keeping this in mind, Is biltong just jerky? Biltong and Jerky are similar in that they are both dried meats, the taste and the production process is different. Biltong originates from South Africa (of course), whereas Jerky originates from North and South America. … This is the key difference, Biltong is hung and air dried, while jerky is cooked on a rack.
Why is biltong illegal in the US?
Biltong, Dutch for “meat strip,” has been eaten in Southern Africa for centuries. The cured snack was originally brought from European settlers and adapted by natives as a hunting snack over the years. Because of the way the meat is cured, it’s illegal to import it into the U.S.
Does biltong taste like jerky?
The flavour and texture
The drying methods also separate the flavour of jerky and biltong, leaving biltong with a distinct meat taste and jerky a lingering smokey taste. These drying methods also alter the texture of the meat. … A lean biltong will be dry and crumbly, and a rich biltong will be soft and chewy.
How long does it take to dry biltong?
Drying time is about 5 days, depending on the weather, and whether you prefer your biltong crisp or slightly moist.
How do you know when biltong is done?
You’ll know when the biltong is ready by giving it the ‘squeeze test’. It should be quite hard but also be a little bit squeezy in the middle confirming a bit of moisture inside. This is perfect! Some people like biltong ‘wet’ and others like it ‘dry’.
What is the best temperature to dry biltong?
Biltong should be dried at low a temperature of around 25–30 °C, you can use higher temperatures but we advise against this because you end up slow cooking your meat.
Which is healthier biltong or jerky?
How is biltong healthier for you than beef jerky? “As far as nutritional facts go for biltong, in general, it’s normally much healthier than jerky, as it tends to be much leaner. An average serving contains almost 50 percent of your daily protein,” says Viterale.
Is it healthy to eat biltong?
Biltong nutrients and potential benefits
Its high protein and low carb contents makes it a good fit for a variety of diets. Biltong is also an exceptionally rich source of iron, a nutrient that many people around the world are lacking ( 4 ).
Why is biltong so expensive?
Why is Biltong so expensive? Reasons are because the process is long, it’s labour intensive and from 1kg of beef at the beginning of the process we only sell 8 bags of biltong by the end.
Can you take biltong to the USA?
You must have the certificate in your possession when you enter the United States with the biltong, or otherwise the product will be seized by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspectors at the U.S. port of entry.
Can you get biltong in the US?
Welcome to Stormberg Foods – the home of American biltong, made using USA beef, traditional South African flavours, all-natural ingredients and original recipes. We supply superior air-dried meat snacks to the American public from a high-tech food processing facility situated in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
Why is biltong bad?
High in sodium. Biltong tends to be very high in sodium, with some types packing as much as 20% of your daily sodium allowance per ounce (28 grams) ( 9 ). Research suggests that excessive sodium intake may negatively affect your heart health, blood pressure, and stroke risk ( 10 ).
What should biltong taste like?
What does biltong taste like? Biltong tastes like a well seasoned steak. It’s dried beef in its purest form.
Is biltong better than jerky?
Biltong and Jerky are Two Great Healthy Snacks
Biltong is typically softer, slightly more flavorful and usually comes with higher fat content. Whereas jerky is a little bit drier, smokier and made with leaner cuts of beef which makes it higher in protein and contains fewer fat calories.
Is biltong more tender than jerky?
“Biltong has a very strong gamey taste,” he says. “As for jerky, the second you bite into it, you taste the smokiness right away.” The texture of the two is also wildly different. Biltong is more tender and chewy than jerky, which is much tougher and hard.
Can you dry biltong in a fridge?
The biltong box is a container in which the meat can hang while a small fan (in some cases) and holes at the top and bottom of the box allow the air to circulate. … You can get the same results if you hang biltong in a refrigerator or use dry-aging bags. It’s even possible to dry biltong in the oven.
Is Wet biltong safe to eat?
If you like your biltong slightly wet i.e. not dry all the way through, then this is even more important since the higher the moisture in food the more chance it can get moldy. … Storing biltong properly will ensure it keeps it’s taste and is safe to eat.
Why is biltong illegal?
Biltong, Dutch for “meat strip,” has been eaten in Southern Africa for centuries. The cured snack was originally brought from European settlers and adapted by natives as a hunting snack over the years. Because of the way the meat is cured, it’s illegal to import it into the U.S.
How soft should biltong be?
Typically, most people prefer the medium texture, so if you’re buying biltong as a gift and are unsure of what the recipient prefers, then medium a safe choice.
What Colour should biltong be?
This must be red meat. Lamb and mutton does not work great. I have eaten: Beef, Impala, Kudu, Elephant, Ostrich, Oryx, Gnu, Zebra, Warthog, Springbok, Duiker, Baboon, Blesbok etc.
Is biltong supposed to be dry?
Depending on how you decide to make it, biltong can be dry and crumbly with no fat, or soft and chewy with more fat on it.