There is often some confusion when it comes to the difference between biltong and beef jerky. Because both of these low-carb, high-protein snack foods consist primarily of dried meat, it is frequently assumed that they are either essentially the same thing or so similar that there is no distinctive difference in taste or texture.

While it is true that the basis of what makes each of these a delectable, healthy treat is the meat they are made from, biltong and beef jerky differ significantly, including the ingredients and cuts of meats used, the production process and their historical origins. At the same time, these two foods are similar enough that a long-time jerky fan can be fairly certain that he or she will also enjoy flavour-packed, richly textured biltong options. This is, of course, particularly important if you  Biltong have never tasted biltong and plan to buy biltong online - or conversely, if you are a biltong fan but have never tried jerky and plan to buy beef jerky online.

Dried meats of any kind, including the best beef jerky and biltong available today, have their origins in the centuries-past need to preserve meat for extended consumption long before refrigeration was an option. Around the world, techniques were developed to cure meat in a manner that would allow for long journeys or long periods of storage without concerns of the meat going bad before it could be consumed. Before livestock herds were established and refrigeration methods were devised, drying meat was an essential part of ensuring that your tribe, clan or family would have the sustenance required between hunts, on seafaring voyages or on long treks.

It was this need to preserve meats in an appealing and effective manner that led to traditional methods of making dried meat products like biltong and jerky. But because these methods were developed in different areas of the world and with differing availability of ingredients, it is easy to see how the production process would have many similarities, while also diverging on a few critical points.

There are two essential differences that you should be aware of when buying beef jerky online or planning to buy biltong online. The first thing to note is that biltong is typically cut in significantly thicker strips than jerky. For example, while jerky is usually made from rather thinly sliced meats, biltong is commonly made from cuts that boast a width of one inch, or can even be thicker than that.

The second important difference between the two is that vinegar is not used in the traditional process of making jerky but is used when curing biltong meat. Vinegar is an essential part of the curing process when making biltong and adds to its flavour and texture. Because it is not used in making jerky, which is normally dehydrated or smoked (rather than cured), these dried, spiced meat snacks offer different flavour experiences. Because of these differences in the marinating and drying processes, jerky often has a significantly sweeter taste than biltong.