Biltong: Meet the SA doctorate with a ‘BILTONG’ degree

Biltong is one of the country’s favourite snacks, ranking somewhere between snowballs and koeksisters in terms of daily popularity. If you don’t know what it is yet, then you are in for a sure treat when you discover it!

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Did you know that a student earned their doctorate with a dissertation on biltong?

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Here’s more about one of the world’s first degrees achieved with the topic of cured and dried meat snacks.

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BILTONG: SOUTH AFRICA’S FAVOURITE SNACK

Biltong is a dried, cured meat snack that can be (almost) compared to what people call jerky in other parts of the world. While jerky is usually boiled and spiced, there’s no boiling when you’re making the South African version – and instead, we prefer to spice and dry ours

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The snack has a long and proudly local history, where it’s been enjoyed for generations by a true rainbow nation – mostly because it’s good and makes for the perfect snack!

Originally, the dried snack was meant to be rehydrated in water – creating a stew or ‘potjie’. Today, it still makes a great addition to recipes – but it’s also become a snack part of modern culture.

FOOD SCIENCE: THE ‘BILTONG’ DOCTOR

According to Stellenbosch University, Maxine Jones received her doctorate in Food Science in 2017 for one of the most unique subjects ever: how to make proper biltong, with the science behind the spice.

This makes Maxine one of the first people ever to achieve her credentials with something quite as unique as this!

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She has earned the nickname of the biltong doctor, and we’re sure that nobody gets to argue with her about just how the proper, South African snack is made!

HOW DO YOU LIKE YOURS?

Almost everyone has an idea of what the traditional snack is supposed to taste like, and there are thousands of recipes that will teach you how to make this great local snack.

How do you like yours?

Some swear the secret is coriander, while many other people might believe it’s all about the spice mix.