Biltong Often, 200 g of beef are required to make 100 g of biltong, and the process of making biltong preserves most of the protein content. Some biltong can have up to 67% protein content. Biltong's popularity has spread to many other countries, notably Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the United States which have large South African populations, and also to India. Biltong is also produced within South African expatriate communities across the globe, for example in Germany, Ireland and even South Korea. Biltong produced in South Africa may not be imported into Britain, according to rules
Biltong of Southern Africa, such as the Khoikhoi, preserved meat by slicing it into strips, curing it with salt, and hanging it up to dry. European seafarers preserved meat for their long journeys by curing meat in salt or brine. European settlers (Dutch, German, French) who arrived in southern Africa in the early 17th century used vinegar in the curing process, as well as saltpetre (potassium nitrate). The potassium nitrate in saltpeter kills" Clostridium botulinum", the deadly bacterium that causes botulism while the acidity of the vinegar inhibits its growth. According to the World Health Organization, "C. botulinum" will not grow