By Donwynne and Amy Bergh
Keep packs in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, at room temperature. Once opened, eat within 24 hours, though in our experience an open pack rarely lasts that long anyway. That's the guidance on our packs, and it's the one to follow.
Does biltong need to be kept in the fridge?
No. Unopened packs store at room temperature, which is one of the reasons biltong is such a handy snack. You don't have to make space in the fridge, and you can take a pack on a walk or to work without worrying about a cool bag.
The useful conditions are the ones on the label: cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. A kitchen cupboard, away from the hob and the radiator, is about right. Don't leave packs on a sunny windowsill or in a hot car.
How long does biltong last?
Our unopened packs have a shelf life of 12 months from packing. The date that matters is the best-before date printed on each pack. Eat it by then, and store it as above.
Once a pack is open, eat it within 24 hours. We know that sounds tight. It's the honest guidance, and, in fairness, it never lasts that long anyway in our house.
If a pack is damaged, puffed up, sticky, or smells unpleasant, don't eat it. Just give us a shout at hello@inyamabiltong.co.uk, with the best-before date if you have it, and we'll help.
What are the white spots on biltong?
Not every white mark is mould. A light, dry, powdery or crystalline dusting is often salt that has come to the surface as the meat dried, and that is harmless.
Mould looks different. It is usually fuzzy or raised, and it may be white, green, black or blue, or smell musty or sour. If you see that, or you're simply not sure, don't eat it. Get in touch with us and we'll sort it out.
Can I freeze biltong?
Our pack guidance is to store it ambient, in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. We don't ask you to freeze it, and an unopened pack shouldn't need it. If you've got a special case (a large order, a long trip), just give us a shout and we'll tell you what we can.
What about our beef sticks?
The same rules apply. Our Original Beef Sticks also store at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, and should be eaten within 24 hours of opening. They use the same ingredients as our Original biltong, in a stick that's built for pockets and lunchboxes. There's more in Biltong, droewors and beef sticks and in High-protein snacks for walkers and runners.
Any other practical tips?
- Leave packs sealed until you're ready to eat them.
- If you're making up a picnic, a walk bag or a Christmas stocking, that's fine: they don't need a fridge along the way, as long as they stay cool and dry.
- Every pack has its best-before date on it, so you can check as you go.
If you have a storage question we haven't covered, including for a shop or a larger order, write to us at hello@inyamabiltong.co.uk. There's more background in our FAQs, and on What's in our biltong.