Biltong - A Protein Rich Super Food from Feroz Ali's blog

Since the beginning of human life on earth as we know it, red meat has played an essential part in our diets. Anthropologists disagree on the exact nature of the eating habits of early humans as there is strong evidence that the vegetarian gathering part of 'hunter-gathering' played a significant role in their daily diet. Although it did occur, hunting, while essential, was a bit of a treat. Anyone who has tried to prepare, cook and store a mammoth will understand why. But as humans evolved the benefits of red meat soon made it an essential and valuable of part of our diet, so much so that those Stone Age Delia Smiths and Jamie Oliver's were quick to find solutions to the problem of 'what to do with all that left over mammoth'.

The origins of Biltong

Cured, dried meat has been with us for millennia and because it's so tasty it's likely to stay. South African Biltong has its roots in both European culinary traditions and the traditions of the native cultures of South Africa. Pre-refrigeration there was only so much you could do to store meat and dry curing was one of the simplest solutions. Red meat is an essential part of the Biltong  human diet and it's an incredibly efficient source of a number of important proteins, amino-acids and vitamins.

The importance of red meat

Beef is one of the best known types of red meat and it contains numerous nutritional benefits, which are detailed below:

- The protein in beef is of the high quality type. It contains all of the essential amino-acids that are required by the human body. The protein in beef is also highly digestible at around 94%. While essential proteins can be found in non-meat sources such as beans and wheat, the protein in these are less 'efficient' being only around 78% and 85% respectively.

- Beef and other red meats are also a great source of iron and zinc. Iron is used by our bodies to produce haemoglobin which helps to carry oxygen through our bloodstream. This provides us with energy and is one of the key benefits of eating red meats. The zinc in red meat helps our immune systems, helping us to stay healthy and combat bugs and germs.

- The majority of essential B-group vitamins can also be found in red meat, all of which are essential to overall health.

- Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in red meat. Beef is second only to fish as a source of these. Again, they are essential for our immune systems and help to maintain a healthy heart.

Considering the lifestyle of many of South Africa's early settlers, a lifestyle that included a high level of physical activity, required stamina and a strong resistance to disease, it's no surprise that biltong became a staple part of the South African diet. The abundance of beef combined with the lack of easy ways to store it led to a long tradition of dry cure meat production. Combined with spices, herbs and having the additional benefit of being lightweight and easy to store, Biltong was, and still is, a perfect super-food.

Author Bio: High in protein and essential vitamins and acids, red meat has long been an essential element of the human diet. Traditional methods of preservation and storage of meat have come down to us in the delicious form of South African Biltong.