Home Opinion Friday Debate: Which biltong is best?

Friday Debate: Which biltong is best?

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Biltonnggggggg

I remember being introduced to biltong. I had just started dating my now husband, and he’d gotten some snap sticks brought to Holland by someone returning from South Africa. I learned that it’s one of those things that South Africans miss the most overseas, so I was curious to try it. To be honest, I wasn’t overly impressed. It was so dry and hurt my teeth to eat, but the flavor was pretty nice. Oh, I had so much to learn.

Once we moved from Holland to Joburg, I had access to way more biltong and finally found my preferred version of it. You see, I think biltong needs to have some fat on it. Without the fat it’s just dry, almost flavorless shards of meat – I might as well eat the biltong spice on its own instead. But when there’s a bit of fat on it, I can actually enjoy biltong in any state; I don’t care whether it’s wet, medium or dry. It’s like perfect morsels of salty, spicy, meaty goodness that you can legitimately eat anywhere and at any time.

Since then, it seems they’re making biltong out of so many more meats. Originally, you could get beef or game biltong, and that was about it. Now, I’ve seen everything from bacon biltong (Yum!) to chicken biltong, which is an absolute abomination.

But not everyone feels the way that I do. There are those who like those chili sticks that are obviously intended as torture devices rather than food. There are those who actively seek out squid biltong. And even heathens like Darryn who don’t think fat belongs on biltong. You know what is even scarier? I’ve heard talk from some Americans that proper beef jerky as it’s made in the South is just like biltong. I can’t say that I trust this concept, though, as the only jerky I’ve ever had was weird, processed junk.

How do you take your biltong? Or are you one of those even weirder people who prefers droewors?

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Critical Hit as an organisation.

Last Updated: May 26, 2017

57 Comments

  1. Alien Emperor Trevor

    May 26, 2017 at 10:46

    Dry, no fat, no chili.

    If I wanted wet, fat & spicy I’d eat your moNO SHUT UP!

    Reply

    • RinceThis

      May 26, 2017 at 10:49

      Wait, YOU eat biltong? You realize it isn’t cooked, right?

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        May 26, 2017 at 11:23

        Of course. It’s cured, unlike you.

        Reply

    • Skittle

      May 26, 2017 at 10:51

      Moist, fatty, spicy

      If I wanted a dry, shrivelled husk I’d eat yo-

      Reply

  2. Kromas Ryder

    May 26, 2017 at 10:48

    Chilli bites. Or really fatty beef biltong.

    Reply

  3. Sageville

    May 26, 2017 at 10:50

    I don’t mind the fat vs no fat stuff, though I cannot stand wet biltong, that’s just called “Raw meat” to some of us….

    Reply

  4. Ottokie

    May 26, 2017 at 10:51

    Nat biltong!

    Reply

  5. Skittle

    May 26, 2017 at 10:52

    Food Lovers babalas biltong

    Reply

    • HvR

      May 26, 2017 at 11:42

      so disgusting it makes you puke and the you feel better

      Reply

  6. ElimiNathan

    May 26, 2017 at 10:55

    If you guys know of a really good place to get biltong in Cape Town let me know please. I’m from the Eastern Cape so am used to amazing biltong, haven’t found any worthy this side yet

    Reply

    • RinceThis

      May 26, 2017 at 10:56

      Wait a few weeks and everyone person will look like biltong…

      Reply

      • Ottokie

        May 26, 2017 at 10:56

        He He He… right in the water crises! xD

        Reply

      • ElimiNathan

        May 26, 2017 at 11:18

        Haha. Cut so deep man

        Reply

    • Sageville

      May 26, 2017 at 11:05

      Too dry neh?

      Too soon?

      Reply

    • HvR

      May 26, 2017 at 11:44

      With the exception of Die Vleis Winkel all the good butchers retired and closed down.

      I just make my own

      Reply

      • ElimiNathan

        May 26, 2017 at 11:46

        Will check out Die Vleis Winkel thanks!

        Reply

        • HvR

          May 26, 2017 at 11:48

          Awesome butchery always worth the visit, they do not make bland biltong on large scale like Fruit and Veg so do no be surprised if they are sold out

          Reply

          • ElimiNathan

            May 26, 2017 at 11:49

            Will try make a mission early tomorrow

  7. Matthew Figueira

    May 26, 2017 at 11:00

    BILTONG 4 LYF

    Reply

    • Original Heretic

      May 26, 2017 at 11:08

      They don’t make biltong out of cabbages.

      Reply

      • Matthew Figueira

        May 26, 2017 at 11:45

        I wish they did 🙁

        Reply

        • Jim of the Banana

          May 26, 2017 at 18:26

          Cabbage chips… shudder!

          Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      May 26, 2017 at 11:25

      • Ottokie

        May 26, 2017 at 11:29

        cute AF

        Reply

      • Matthew Figueira

        May 26, 2017 at 11:45

        Hahaha BEST <3

        Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      May 26, 2017 at 11:35

      MATTY’S BDAY 4 TODAI

      Reply

      • Matthew Figueira

        May 26, 2017 at 11:45

        WOOT GIMME BILTONG!

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          May 26, 2017 at 11:48

          Come over, I can gief to you nao

          Reply

          • Matthew Figueira

            May 26, 2017 at 13:36

            <3

  8. Original Heretic

    May 26, 2017 at 11:05

    My dad used to make the best biltong ever….
    Great, now I’m sad.

    Reply

  9. VampyreSquirrel

    May 26, 2017 at 11:11

    The edible kind is best.

    Reply

    • Ottokie

      May 26, 2017 at 11:13

      if its bone dry then its over and done past its edible stage

      Reply

  10. Admiral Chief

    May 26, 2017 at 11:35

    Beef, not too wet, not too dry, with some fat.

    End of discussion

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      May 26, 2017 at 11:38

      That is the end of the discussion. I accept you concede to being wrong.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        May 26, 2017 at 11:39

        You braai until dry biltong, so, no

        xD

        Reply

  11. Lisa

    May 26, 2017 at 11:40

    OT. Rising Storm for free at HumbleBundle.com

    Reply

  12. HvR

    May 26, 2017 at 11:46

    Beef little fat then it can be rare bilting.

    More fat and needs to be past the red/pnk stage of being dry

    Ostrich, springbok, eland, kudu needs to be dry to the bone.

    People making biltong from crap like shark, chicken etc should shot and made into Spur patties
    *spur table rattle*

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      May 26, 2017 at 11:48

      HAHAHA. #Triggered

      Kudu/Eland/SB not dry to the bone, but not as rare as beef. Agreed on the fat/rare ratio

      Reply

    • miaau

      May 26, 2017 at 11:59

      SHARK Biltong.

      Had some twenty years ago…. It was so Salty as to be, in my opinion, dangerous to my body. BUT that was not the worst crime. Once I tasted past the salt, it had no real flavour, was boring.

      Reply

    • miaau

      May 26, 2017 at 12:02

      “Beef little fat then it can be rare bilting.

      More fat and needs to be past the red/pnk stage of being dry

      Ostrich, springbok, eland, kudu needs to be dry to the bone.”

      Yes, enough said.

      I prefer chunks I can chew, with a bit of fat on.

      Reply

  13. miaau

    May 26, 2017 at 12:00

    You are all wrong.

    The Best biltong is that which my wife makes at home, from game meat. Gemsbok, Kudu, mostly. Rooibok soon, in June.

    Due to various allergies, my wife uses Lemon Juice and not Vinegar as a softener and then spices it herself. It is nice. We like it.

    BUT, in general, Beef Biltong is good, if not over spiced. I like a bit of spice and the taste of meat.

    Reply

    • Magoo

      May 26, 2017 at 13:53

      Kudu biltong is the best.

      Reply

  14. Francois Knoetze

    May 26, 2017 at 12:18

    Local butcher over here in Knysna makes killer billtong that almost tastes like steak. had a mini freak out when I first got hold of it,

    Reply

  15. Jim of the Banana

    May 26, 2017 at 17:24

    Definitely not chicken biltong… that stuff is vile.

    Reply

  16. Jim of the Banana

    May 26, 2017 at 17:27

    My favourite is (and has always been) KUDU! There’s just something about it.

    Reply

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