Italy gave us Prosciutto, Spain - Jamón and South Africa.... Biltong.
If you've ever visited the home of a South African you can be rest assured there is some form of biltong close by (or at least there was). Certainly a much loved and cherished snack of all South Africans some would say it's a "staple", in fact, I don't think South Africans can watch an international game of Rugby without chewing on this delicious and surprisingly healthy meat snack. But what is Biltong and why are we hearing more and more about it lately?
Here at the Lifestyle Guide, we thoroughly enjoyed our Biltong journey of discovery and we found a brilliant Biltong company that delivers right to your door. But before we get into that let's find out exactly what Biltong is and can it be good for you?
Biltong is a form of dried, cured meat that originated in Southern African countries (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia). Various types of meat are used to produce Biltong, ranging from beef to game meats such as ostrich or kudu. The cut may also vary, 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 in that they are both spiced, dried meats; however, the typical ingredients, taste and production processes may differ.
Health Benefits of Biltong
High in Protein
High Protein health benefits of Biltong. Your body needs protein to stay in good health and work as it should. Every cell of our bodies is involved in a wide range of metabolic interactions which involve proteins.
Low In Fat Biltong is low in fat. There is just 5-7% per cent of fat in a 100g serving. Low In Sugar Biltong is low in sugar. There is just 0.6g of sugar in a 100g serving of original biltong Rich in Iron Biltong is also very rich in iron which helps to make red blood cells. These healthy blood cells carry oxygen around the bloodstream and are vital for good overall health, muscle growth/ recovery. Vitamin B12 Biltong is rich in certain vitamins such as vitamin B12 which is an essential vitamin that your body cannot produce on its own. Vitamin B12 supports the healthy function of your nerve cells. Vitamin B12 can also benefit your body in many other ways, such as by enhancing your energy levels and improving memory and mood. Zinc Biltong contains Zinc. Zinc Is a mineral your body needs to fight off viruses and bacteria. Zinc can also help your body absorb other vitamins such as vitamin C which helps prevent colds and other infections. It helps wounds to heal and is important for infants and children as they grow and develop. The amount of zinc you need is only about: 7-9.5mg a day. Biltong can help towards your daily Zinc intake. Creatine Biltong is one of the few foods that contain Creatine naturally. Creatine can help to improve strength and increase muscle mass. It can also help the muscles recover more quickly during exercise.
So where can you get yourself a regular supply of fresh Biltong or even some to try?
Well, the kind folks over at The Biltong Factory were kind enough to send us a few packs to try for ourselves.
We were not let down by the speed of service, quality of packaging and of course the biltong was thoroughly delicious. Their biltong is made and distributed weekly, every Thursday to be precise, and you can buy the exact amount, cut and seasoning you prefer as well as they offer a subscription service so you can have your biltong delivered each week.
Apart from the seasoning and flavour one thing that is rather unique about biltong is that we can choose just how thick the slices are as well as how wet or dry the pieces are. "Wet" or "dry" would translate into how long the meat is cured for similarly to a rare vs well-done steak.
We always love a good story, especially when it involves an entrepreneurial spirit and what better way to tell their story than the founders of The Biltong Factory themselves...
But don't take our word for it! Whip over to The Biltong Factory website and try for yourself!
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