Biltong, Sharing the Love with Us this Valentine’s Day

A journey through the history of love and the perfect biltong pairings this Valentines Day

Love has been at the heart of human history for centuries – whether it’s the love shared between friends, family, or that deep appreciation for life’s greatest pleasures.  We’re celebrating the day of love with you, by exploring the origins of love itself and, more importantly, the perfect pairings that bring out the best in our beloved Biltong.

So grab your favourite meat snack, settle in, and let’s dive into a little romance, history, and, of course, delicious food and drink combinations that will make your heart sing!

 

A Brief History of Love

Love has been studied, written about, and celebrated for thousands of years.  The Ancient Greeks had several different words for love, distinguishing between Eros (romantic love), Philia (friendship love), and Agape (selfless love).  Meanwhile, in Ancient Rome, Valentine’s Day was inspired by the legend of Saint Valentine, who performed secret marriages for soldiers forbidden to wed.

Fast forward to modern times, and love is now celebrated in countless ways – from grand romantic gestures to small acts of kindness.  We can’t think of a better way than to show love by sharing something delicious  with those that you love… hint hint…your favourite meat snack!

 

The Perfect Pairings : Love & Biltong

Just like the best relationships, the most amazing food and drink pairings bring out the best in each other.  Whether you are treating a loved one or simply indulging yourself (because self-love is important too), here are some perfect biltong pairings to make your February extra special.

 

Biltong & Wine – A True Love Story

Wine and biltong?  We can you see you questioning our thinking here.  Oh yes!  The complex flavours of a good red wine can elevate the savoury goodness of our air-dried beef snacks like nothing else.  Here are some of our favourite combinations:

• Original Boss Beef & Cabernet Sauvignon – the rich, full bodied nature of a Cab Sauv enhances the deep umami flavours of our classic biltong
• Volcano Boss Beef Biltong & Shiraz – Love a bit of spice?  Pair our fiery Volcano of flavours biltong with a bold and peppery Shiraz for the perfect heat-to-smooth balance
• Garlic & Cracked Black Pepper & Merlot – the soft, velvety texture of Merlot compliments the aromatic punch of our Garlic & Cracked Black Pepper beautifully

 

Check out our friends from Amathus Drinks for their extensive selection of great wines from across the globe.  They also have a host of shops you can pop into.

 

Biltong & Craft Beer – The Ultimate Match

For those of you who prefer a crisp, cold pint to a glass of wine, craft beer is the ultimate companion to our delicious and healthy meat snacks, some would even say ‘the pairing as old as time’  Here are a few of our favourites

• Smokey Ghost Biltong & Pale Ale – the light bitterness of a Pale Ale cuts through the smokey richness of our Smokey Ghost
• Truffle Biltong & Stout – a deep, chocolatey Stout pairs beautifully with our subtly flavoured real Truffle biltong
• Chilli Chutney Biltong & IPA – the hoppy bitterness of an IPA amplifies the spice kick of our Chilli Chutney for a truly fiery experience

 

Why not pop into our friends The Outhouse Brewery and try their selection of craft beers.

Cheese – A Match Made in Snacking Heaven

Nothing says luxury like a biltong & cheese board, think of an upgrade to the traditional charcuterie board.  Whether you are hosting a romantic evening or a casual get-together, these pairings will impress and leave you wanting more…

• Truffle Biltong & Brie – the earthy, rich flavour of our Truffle meat snack complements the creamy texture of a Brie or Camembert.  PS – did you know the difference between a Brie and a Camembert is the milk fat content.
• Traditional Beef Boss Biltong & Mature Cheddar – a classic duo, the sharpness of an aged Cheddar contrasts perfectly with a deep beefiness of this cured meat snack
• Chilli Biltong & Blue Cheese – for the adventurous foodie, the funkiness of blue cheese works wonders with the subtle spiciness of our Chilli

 

Biltong & Whisky – A Pairing of Distinction

Whether you prefer a bold single malt or a mellow bourbon, there’s a biltong pairing to elevate every sip. A true indulgence for those who appreciate quality, craftsmanship, and the finer things in life.  Here are a few ideas for you to try

• Smokey Ghost Biltong & Malt Whisky – the rich malt and smokiness of a malt whisky (think Johnnie Walker) is the perfect fit for the robust, rich flavoured Smokey Ghost.
• Traditional Beef Boss Biltong & Rye Whisky – the tenderness and slight fattiness of the fan favourite flavour Traditional is best paired with a spicy rye whisky

Our founder has again been invited to join The Scotch Malt Whisky Society for another fun evening of pairing our award winning biltong with some of the finest Scottish Whisky’s.  Keep an eye out on their website for the date and other fun pairing events they have planned for the year.

 

Dark Chocolate – A Sweet Surprise

Okay, you are going to think we have lost our marbles here a little bit, and perhaps we have, but have you tried a perfectly grilled steak with a rich dark chocolate sauce?  Now hear me out – don’t knock it until you have tried it!  Here is the twist on that crazy idea though, why not try snacking on our Original Boss Beef Biltong with your favourite rich, bitter Dark Chocolate?  While we are not suggesting you dip your biltong into the chocolate or that you create biltong clusters (think peanut clusters), we are suggesting that if you snack on them together, you could be in for an unexpected treat!

 

Just like love itself, the perfect pairing is all about balance – complementing and enhancing each other to create something truly unforgettable.  So, whether you’re a red wine connoisseur, craft beer lover, or just someone who appreciates a damn good snack, there’s the perfect flavour match for you this Valentines Day at Biltong Boss, so you can choose when and where to pair it with whatever tickles your fancy.