 Sliced beef biltong | |
| Type | Dried meat |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Southern Africa |
| Main ingredients | Meat |
| Ingredients generally used |
|
Biltong is a form of air-dried, cured meat which originated in South Africa, and from there spread to other Southern African countries -- (Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zambia). Various types of meat are used to produce it, ranging from beef to game meats such as ostrich or kudu. The cut may also vary being either fillets of meat cut into strips following the grain of the muscle, or flat pieces sliced across the grain. It is related to beef jerky, as both are spiced, dried meats; however, the typical ingredients, taste, and production processes may differ. Biltong is air-dried, which gives it a unique texture and taste, whereas jerky is heated to at least 160F.
The word "biltong" is from the Afrikaans bil ("buttock") and tong ("strip" or "tongue").[1]
- ^ Eric Partridge (20 September 2006). Origins: An Etymological Dictionary of Modern English. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-203-42114-7. Retrieved 24 September 2008.