Best Biltong Pit Stops in the Lowveld

There are few things more proudly South African than biltong and when it comes to this savoury treat the Lowveld really has no lack of talent. ShowMe Nelspruit ventured around town to find out where the best biltong can be found, here is our verdict:

By Benno Stander

Elmadré Butchery

Rassie of Elmadré has been in the butchery business for over 20 years and his level of experience shines through in his loyal following in these parts. Everyone who calls themselves a Lowvelder knows Elmadré and will tell you that quality is part of everything sold here. According to Rassie he stocks just about every variety of biltong people look for and his range nowadays also include chilli dry wors and his famous Knibbel Mix.

Rassie suggested we try his free range beef biltong and chilly bites. Free range beef biltong can be differentiated from grain fed beef by the fat that is yellow in colour. The difference in taste is hard to describe even though it is quite apparent and many biltong lovers swear by it. As for the chilli bites it should be sufficient to say that you should make sure you buy enough because otherwise you will drive back for more. It was well dried and crispy without any stringy bits and the chilli has just enough bite to it.

Find them at 106 Ferreira Street, Nelspruit or call +27(0)13 744 1238.

Click here for the Elmadré Butchery Business Listing

Mario’s Butchery

Mario Stoltz is no newbie to the meat trade and with 18 years backing him he has made a decent amount of biltong in his days. Mario’s Butchery is in White River but he has become used to the fact that many of his customers drive past many other outlets to buy some of his biltong. Although the biltong part of his shop has all the bells and whistles one would expect, he assures me that nothing moves as well as good old beef. Mario’s beef biltong comes in plain and spiced and apart from the normal ingredients he has a little something extra he adds to his mix. Unfortunately it is a well-guarded secret so better you taste it and guess for yourself.

Mario was kind enough to hook us up with some of his plain beef biltong and dry wors. Both these treats are as textbook perfect as they come. Some people like the newest funny flavour out there but for the rest you just can’t beat good quality biltong made exactly the right way. After several taste tests it does become apparent that there is a subtle unique flavour in there that makes you take more but your guess is as good as mine.

Find them at Cnr. Impala & Danie Joubert St, White River. Call +27 13 751 1387

Meat Delights

This family based German Deli and Butchery has its origins firmly planted in 1966 when the parents of the current owner, Anni, bought Farmers Meat Supply. Many years later the family is still in the meat industry. Apart from all the traditionally German specialities like Wieners, Bockwurst, Krakaure, Bratwurst, Weisswurst, Mergues, Landjaeger, Chourizo, Pepperoni and Linguica, they also make biltong!

We were able to get our hands on some beef biltong and chilli bites. The biltong was quite something else and has a unique spice taste. The chilli bites are definitely not for the faint at heart, which is clearly given away by the chilli pips that stick to the outside of the bites. They are however very addictive and even if you are not into hot food you might find yourself reaching for more even as you wipe the sweat from your forehead.

Find them in Shop 10, Riverside Value Mart, R40, Nelspruit. Call them on +27(0)716571343

Click here for the Meat Delights’ Business Listing

Beumi Foods

This wholesale and retail meat outlet supplies business and individuals with a wide range of meat products at great prices. But what’s got the town talking are their burgers and biltong. Countless people in and around Nelspruit just can’t kick-start the weekend without a Beumi burger for Friday lunch. While you are there you might as well stock up on some biltong for the rugby on Saturday. That is if you don’t finish it before getting back to the office.

Christo Smith, who runs the business together with his sister Chantelle Botes, treated us to some mean and lean chilli bites and clean beef biltong. Although the range goes well past these two items Christo admits that these are his fast movers. The chilli bites are super lean with nothing but top quality meat and a delicate sting that slowly gains speed as you throw back another piece. The biltong is a nice red colour with just enough moisture without being soggy. Both have great taste and superb texture.

Find them at 2 Meidlinger Street, Nelspruit. Call them on +27(0)13 755 1337

Visit the Beumi website here

Biltong Boyz

This neat little shop in I’langa Mall has become a favourite go-to for many husbands taken on shopping adventures. Apart from the wide variety of dried meats available there is also an awesome collection of knives on sale. We recommend spoiling yourself with an old-school combo of decent pocket knife and a nice long piece of uncut biltong which you can eat man-style when you get home. But we must warn you that you might be drooling substantially by that time!

Town’s talk is that the chilli bites are out of this world. This was quite evident when it was also sold out when we arrived. Shoppers go crazy for it so if you are lucky enough to get your hands on some, be sure to buy enough. We settled for lean beef biltong and bacon bites. The biltong was as lean as they come with hardly any trace of fat. If you don’t like the white stuff you’d be hard pressed to find a cleaner cut. The bacon bits are quite the opposite with just about equal parts fat and bacon. It might take you a while to jog this treat off but it will be well worth it as they are super delicious!

Find them in shop LG41A, I’langa Mall, just inside Mopani Pharmacy entrence. Call them on +27 82 563 0216.