History of Biltong

Setting the scene

South Africa has a rich history, but one story in particular sets the scene.

The date is 1652 as the Dutch establish a colony on the southwest coast of South Africa now called Cape Town. They arrived with a mere 60 people but rose to around 16,000 by 1795, enslaving South Africans along the way. They were using Cape Town as hub for their slave trade and it is said that a colossal 17,000 South Africans were enslaved during that same period.

It is easily recognizable that our heritage was influenced by Dutch roots and there are many references as well. The "Afrikaans" language is derived from Dutch and therefore sounds similar.

The origins of Biltong

The Dutch voyaged their way to new land and continued to sail as their slave trade business grew. They spent prolonged periods of time at sea and innovated a way to avoid spoiling meat during these trips.

The word biltong is derived from the two Dutch words "Bil" meaning buttock and "tong" meaning something with the same shape as a tongue. Biltong may have originated from Dutch innovation, but was perfected by South Africans. The recipe was improved by marinating the meat in a spiced, vinegar brine and then dried to create biltong we know today.

Biltong is such an integral part of South African cuisine and even though its origins is brutal, we have taken suffering and turned it into a celebrated snack.