A Look at Biltong, an On-Trend Snack [Consumer Product]

Originally Published: May 23, 2021
Last Updated: May 23, 2021
A look at biltong

When we started Ember snacks, Harry and I wanted to focus on something more than just a snack. We believe in the importance of red meat and having good quality red meat that is grass-fed and free of any chemicals, to be specific. We wanted the focus of snacking to move back to the importance of good health while emphasizing convenience. Biltong was the very best we could think of because it caters to all ages and it gives more people the opportunity to invest in the benefits of red meat. We are passionate about our brand and the difference it can make for people living fast-paced lives, with no real-time to eat full meals because they are always on the move. In this blog post, we share the finer details of biltong and where it comes from and why we think it’s something that everyone who eats meat should try.

In this blog written by Ember Snacks, the company delves into what biltong is and details the benefits attributed to this on-trend and innovative product.

Where Did Biltong Originate?

As we all know, the most common ingredient in biltong is beef. The original recipes consisted of salt, vinegar, pepper, but we have put our spin on it to make it more unique to our brand. To give you an idea of where biltong comes from, it all started in the 1800s. There was a war that broke out amongst the British and the South African Boers along the Southern Coast of Africa, and it led the Boers to pack up all their belongings and set their course to the midlands of South Africa. The journey was named the Great Trek and took ten years to complete. In those days, there was no natural way to keep meat fresh. Once the farmers killed cattle for their meat, the flesh that wasn’t being prepared was covered in salt and vinegar and left until the next day. However, with a ten-year trek on the way, a plan had to be made. The preservation of the meat was done by completely coating the meat in the salt and vinegar mixture and rolled in hessian bags and cheesecloth for up to four weeks at a time. Luckily for us, technology has changed, and we can now use more advanced methods to make our biltong.

The use of game meat was introduced when farmers found that cattle were taking too long to reproduce, and other ingredients were added to the list, namely:

● Springbok
● Kudu
● Ostrich
● Buffalo

We offer a variety of meat in our product line, and although there are fish, pork, vegetable and poultry options, we try to keep the focus on red meat.

Benefits of Beef Meat

Red meat is a very high source of protein and aids the body in its ability to function, remain healthy and recuperate after illness or damage. Let’s look at someone the benefits of red meat:

● Vitamin B12
This is one of the most critical factors in red meat because it helps the body make DNA and keep the red blood cells healthy. It is also responsible for maintaining the nervous system functioning and preventing megaloblastic anemia, making people weak and tired. When you are working out, your body uses a lot of energy to keep it going. Without vitamin B12, vigorous exercise can lead to the heart muscle overexerting itself and failing.

● Protein
By now, you know that protein helps us build muscle to burn fat when you work out, but you need more than fat loss if you intend to keep your body strong and healthy on your journey. Protein helps to control your appetite and fills you up to feel fuller for longer. It aids in muscle building and bone strengthening and lowering your blood pressure. These are all the things your body needs when you are on a calorie-controlled eating plan, and you are adding light to moderate workouts to your diet.

● Iron
Our bodies need hemoglobin to transport oxygen, and iron helps with that. It helps prevent chest pains, regulate the heat in our bodies, and support muscle metabolism, forming part of the muscles’ ability to heal and rebuild after a workout or injury.

Why Choose Biltong over Beef Jerky?

Although we have both beef biltong and beef jerky, we focus more on beef biltong when it comes to healthier options because it’s more natural. Our beef jerky is the variant we offer to customers that know about jerky and want to experience the flavors and texture. Beef jerky might sound or look similar to biltong, but it’s not the same product. Both types of meat serve a similar backstory, and they don’t have the same preparation story. Jerky has always used sauces and sugar in their recipe to make dehydration easier because the sugars and the spices help the meat from going moldy, and it gives the jerky its flavor. Biltong doesn’t contain any preservatives or sugar, and the amount of biltong you eat can have as little as 3% fat per 50gs of biltong which is not the case when it comes to beef jerky. Beef jerky isn’t easy to chew and can be unpleasant if you are looking for something to eat in a hurry. When you are working out regularly, you will come to find that a handful of biltong after a workout can do wonders for your body and your eating plans. If you look at the difference between Ember Snacks beef jerky or beef biltong, you will notice the difference.

Convenience on the Run

As a small business, we pride ourselves on making it clear that health and convenience are important to us as flavor. It is the perfect snack to have in your handbag, your desk at work or your gym bag for those moments when you feel like you need a boost. There’s too much promotional work done for sugary snacks.
The rise in artificial chemicals is causing the downfall of the health of our youth. We want to try and change that. Getting fit and readjusting the way we live by going outdoors more often and spending more time looking after our bodies is on the rise, and as a business that promotes a positive health product, we want to be a part of that. Consumers can easily stash a bag of biltong in their desks at the office or in their gym bags. Mom’s can even add it to their kid’s lunch boxes. It’s that versatile and convenient. We aim to continue producing health positive snacks, and we hope that as a business, we can influence the public to take better care of their bodies through the snacks they choose.

Global Food Forums thanks Harry and Jack, the founders of UK-based Embers Snacks for providing this guest post.

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