FAQs
What is Biltong?
What started simply as meat preservation for travelers in Southern Africa and ultimately grew
into a South African food staple. Biltong is enjoyed daily as the go to snack for millions of people
all over the world, including the USA. It’s unique flavor and style is attributed to the process of
biltong meat being cured and air dried with dry spices that make it absolutely flavorful! The
cured process ensures maximum flavor, and a tenderness that makes it delicious and easy to
eat. Biltong King makes biltong the authentic way, with original South African spices using the
same process that has been tried and trusted for 100’s of years.
What is Droëwors?
The direct translation for Droëwors in English is Dry Sausage. Droëwors is an air-dried
sausage also originating from Southern Africa. Beef is ground up, and an array of
traditional spices of which Coriander is one is then mixed with the ground beef. This mixture
is then stuffed into sheep casings and hung to air-dry for several days.
What is the difference in air-dried vs dehydrated meat?
When air-drying meat in a controlled environment the meat retains more of its nutritional
values when compared to dehydration, where heat is added. This also leads to a different
consistency; it takes longer for the proteins to break down when using a dehydrator. Air-
drying does lead to more of a crust outside but creates a tender inside without the use of
sugars. Think of low and slow vs warm and quick. Due to the use of no heat, biltong keeps
nutrients better than jerky.
How do I store your ready-to-eat products?
If unopened our packages can be stored at room temperature. Avoid direct sunlight and
drastic temperature change, this can cause condensation inside the package and run the
risk of mold. Once opened the recommendation is to refrigerate, this will prevent the product
from becoming overly dry and prevent spoilage. If consumed in 3-5 days, it should not be
necessary but depends greatly on the environment in which it is stored.
The products can be frozen in bags or placed in a zip-lock bag and be refrigerated or
frozen. Due to the production process of air-dried meat, these products contain more
moisture than traditional jerky and do not contain the preservatives found in commercial
dried meats, do not expect similar shelf life as other jerky brands. The best way to preserve
your purchase is to refrigerate or freeze. At Biltong King we are unable to refund products
that are spoiled due to mishandling.
What is the shelf life of Biltong King products?
Three months has been a good number in our experience if stored properly. There is still
some moisture to a degree in the meat so direct contact with sunlight and drastic
temperature change can cause condensation inside the package and thereby run the risk of
mold.
Are air-dried meats safe?
Yes, at Biltong King our air-fried meats are made in a controlled environment. Temperature,
humidity, pH control and water levels all play a role in ensuring a safe finished product.
Many years of testing have been done in this industry to support air-dried meat products as
ready to eat, safe, and shelf stable.
What started simply as meat preservation for travelers in Southern Africa and ultimately grew
into a South African food staple. Biltong is enjoyed daily as the go to snack for millions of people
all over the world, including the USA. It’s unique flavor and style is attributed to the process of
biltong meat being cured and air dried with dry spices that make it absolutely flavorful! The
cured process ensures maximum flavor, and a tenderness that makes it delicious and easy to
eat. Biltong King makes biltong the authentic way, with original South African spices using the
same process that has been tried and trusted for 100’s of years.
What is Droëwors?
The direct translation for Droëwors in English is Dry Sausage. Droëwors is an air-dried
sausage also originating from Southern Africa. Beef is ground up, and an array of
traditional spices of which Coriander is one is then mixed with the ground beef. This mixture
is then stuffed into sheep casings and hung to air-dry for several days.
What is the difference in air-dried vs dehydrated meat?
When air-drying meat in a controlled environment the meat retains more of its nutritional
values when compared to dehydration, where heat is added. This also leads to a different
consistency; it takes longer for the proteins to break down when using a dehydrator. Air-
drying does lead to more of a crust outside but creates a tender inside without the use of
sugars. Think of low and slow vs warm and quick. Due to the use of no heat, biltong keeps
nutrients better than jerky.
How do I store your ready-to-eat products?
If unopened our packages can be stored at room temperature. Avoid direct sunlight and
drastic temperature change, this can cause condensation inside the package and run the
risk of mold. Once opened the recommendation is to refrigerate, this will prevent the product
from becoming overly dry and prevent spoilage. If consumed in 3-5 days, it should not be
necessary but depends greatly on the environment in which it is stored.
The products can be frozen in bags or placed in a zip-lock bag and be refrigerated or
frozen. Due to the production process of air-dried meat, these products contain more
moisture than traditional jerky and do not contain the preservatives found in commercial
dried meats, do not expect similar shelf life as other jerky brands. The best way to preserve
your purchase is to refrigerate or freeze. At Biltong King we are unable to refund products
that are spoiled due to mishandling.
What is the shelf life of Biltong King products?
Three months has been a good number in our experience if stored properly. There is still
some moisture to a degree in the meat so direct contact with sunlight and drastic
temperature change can cause condensation inside the package and thereby run the risk of
mold.
Are air-dried meats safe?
Yes, at Biltong King our air-fried meats are made in a controlled environment. Temperature,
humidity, pH control and water levels all play a role in ensuring a safe finished product.
Many years of testing have been done in this industry to support air-dried meat products as
ready to eat, safe, and shelf stable.