Ay-Ay-Ayoba
Biltong. Who’s ever heard of that? I, for one, had to look it up. According to Ayoba’s website: “Biltong is a South African recipe beef snack with exceptional flavor and a uniquely tender texture. We start with the finest quality cuts of beef that are marinated and seasoned with only a few natural spices, then air-dried for fourteen days.”
Unlike typical beef jerky that is cooked at low temperatures for a few hours, Biltong takes up to 14 days to dry out. The slower process leaves more muscle fibers in the meat, which makes for a more protein-enriched snack. A bag of Jack Links Jerky may have anywhere from 8 to 15 grams of protein; however, Ayoba’s Biltong has 31 grams of protein! That’s quite a difference!
Protein’s not the only major difference, though. Biltong also has zero sugar. With just seven ingredients (beef, vinegar, sea salt, coriander, Worchestershire powder, pepper, and rosemary), I was curious about how the flavor would compare.
When I first opened the bag, the subtle scent of beef jerky wafted out. I expected it to be a little bland, but wow, was I wrong! The beef was tender and had amazing flavor! It was the perfect texture — not too chewy, like some jerky. The full, sharp flavor left my mouth tingling with satisfaction.
Ayoba is a family business started by the van Blommestein Family. They have lived in America for 20 years now and began the business as a way of sharing their favorite South African meat recipes. Along with Biltong, they offer Droewors (beef sticks) and Boerewors (sausage). Ayoba gives back to their DC Metro community by donating to Martha’s Table and Capital Area Food Bank. I also found quite a few mouth-watering recipes offered on their website! Check it out: Ayoba recipes.
We got our bag of Biltong from Thrive Market for $7.99. For only a 2 oz bag, that seems a little pricey, but when you factor in how long it takes to dry this meat, the healthy and simple ingredients, and the quality and flavor, I say it’s worth the extra cost!
“In South Africa, the term Ayoba is used to express amazement and approval.”
This company and their deliciously healthy meat snacks get a big “Ayoba”. IMBHO-Yes!
This short video summarizes the differences between Biltong and beef jerky. Enjoy!