Biltong and beef jerky are both nutrient-dense dried meat snacks that are high in protein and ideal for on-the-go munching. But that’s where the parallels end. Biltong is sliced after being cured in vinegar and air-dried whole. The best Beef jerky is made by slicing beef, marinating it with spices and seasonings, and then cooking it overheat. Biltong is softer, saltier, and thinner than beef jerky, which is drier, smokier, and chewier due to the difference in processing. Between biltong and beef jerky, there are several distinct distinctions. Ingredients, flavour, method, and texture all accentuate these distinctions.
- Complex vs. Simple Ingredients
To create a powerful flavour, both meat snacks use a combination of flavorful spices. Biltong, on the other hand, relies largely on vinegar for preservation. The meat is cured by immersing it in a bath of vinegar and other spices for a long time. Biltong also has little to no sugar, but other beef jerky products do.
- Sweetness: Various Levels of Sweetness
Biltong has a savoury and vinegary flavour compared to beef jerky, which can have a savoury and somewhat sweet flavour due to the usage of vinegar and little to no sugar. Both have a taste profile that is dominated by beef.
- Air-Dried vs. Cooked Production
Biltong is made without the use of heat. Biltong is air-dried, unlike beef jerky, which is slow-cooked at low temperatures to dry and cook the meat.
Large chunks of pork, usually silverside or topside slices, are air-dried for up to a week before being trimmed to the right texture to form biltong.
- Fluffy Versus Chewy Texture
Before the cooking and drying process, beef jerky is generally split into strips. Biltong is air-dried entire before being chopped into bite-size pieces. Most biltong is softer and fluffier in texture due to the drying and slicing process, whereas beef jerky has a more steak-like chew.
Is Biltong a healthier alternative to beef jerky?
When it comes to nutritional value, buy biltong NZ which is fairly comparable to beef jerky. Both are nutrient-dense, low-calorie, high-protein, and sodium-dense foods. Sugar is a significant distinction. Some jerky products utilise a lot of sugar in their marinade, but biltong does not. This indicates that Biltong is a healthier choice. When comparing sugar-free beef jerky to biltong, however, the two are very comparable.
Final Thoughts
People are munching in greater numbers than ever before. People are also looking for fresh and inventive snacks that offer a wide range of flavours. This is one of the reasons why there are so many innovative and exciting snack products on the market. However, the days of low-quality, unhealthy, and flavourless snacks are long gone. Consumers nowadays are looking for solutions that are both healthy and delicious. Beef jerky has undergone a revival in recent years due to its popularity as a snack. Jerky has all of the qualities of a great snack: it’s portable, high in protein, and delicious.
