Biltong USA - Traditional Sliced Biltong

Biltong USA was among the earliest brands of American-made biltong, dating back to 1996. South African immigrants, Dawid Joubert and Salome Joubert founded the company in Stallings, NC based on the same family recipe that dated back into the 1600s. Over the years, their biltong products helped launched a new meat snack category in the States.

In January 2018, Biltong USA was acquired by a rival biltong brand, Stryve Foods. However, Biltong USA continues on under its own brand, and is still manufactured at its original USDA inspected facility in Stallings.

This Traditional Sliced Biltong differs from the Original Sliced Biltong we reviewed last week in that it has some fat whereas the Original is lean. The package is also marked "Gluten Free".

Ingredients

Beef, salt, flavorings, vinegar, raisin juice concentrate

Review

The first flavors that I pick up are vinegar and coriander seed, with a light fatty character. There's a moderate salt that slowly comes in, and a light natural meat flavor towards the end.

For being marketed as a traditional, fatty biltong, this has that classic South African style flavor, but something more old world. The raisin juice concentrate is lightly noticeable if you look for it. These slices are noticeably more fatty than the Original we reviewed last week.

Otherwise, the primary taste profile is a classic, South African-style biltong, marked primarily by a stronger coriander and vinegar, but accompanied by light levels of black pepper, salt, raisin.

The meat consistency is a mix of well-fatted slices and lean slices. There's a light oily film on these pieces. They have a nice chewiness, even a bit more soft than the company's Original.

Verdict

This Traditional Sliced Biltong from Biltong USA takes on a more old world South African interpretation with its chewy texture, soapy coriander, and tangy vinegar ingredients, but is more fatted and oily than their Original style. The higher level of fat seems to make these slices more tender, and even brings out the seasonings better. The light raisin adds more body and depth to the seasonings, while the sharp black pepper combines with the coriander to give this more kick. Overall, this is a biltong that certainly retains the classic biltong characteristics, yet takes on a more intense flavor with a stronger coriander and black pepper, and a more satisfying fatty, beefy character.

Rating: Best (5/5)