Proudly South African, Retail
Biltong Direct
We, Derick & Rose, started making Biltong in the UK in 2004. YES, 20 YEARS AGO! Our chosen route was to use only the best quality meat sourced from reputable suppliers, initially at Smithfield Meat Market in London, and we chose to import spices from Freddy Hirsch in South Africa to be certain that the quality would match our branding. It was decided that, as the majority of people in UK, including most South Africans, actually prefer beef to game meat, the emphasis would be on making the best beef biltong possible. Traditional methods and recipes were thoroughly researched and the outcome is a tried and tested, superior quality product, much complimented on by South Africans as being even better than back home – in fact many take our biltong home with them when they go back to visit ! We still source our meat from a supplier in Smithfields and blend many of our own spices, the popular flavours of our products have remained the same.
Droewors was our next project – we did not enjoy eating fatty droewors ourselves, so we set out to make our own recipe, which of course we guard fiercely, and which has become our signature product. To the blend of meat with just the right fat content, we add a tried and trusted mix of herbs and spices which means that we are able to satisfy even the most fanatical wors lovers. We decided that although the Traditional dry wors is still a firm favourite, we would also have a try at other flavours and currently produce three varieties with Traditional being our flagship flavour, and Chilli running a close second.
Snap Sticks just happened naturally and are still one of our best sellers. They are not just churned out by a mechanical cutter, but by our very own Gill and Nidio. They select and hand-cut each one before spicing them all. They are very dry, with an easy to break, snappy texture and the only problem is that we need to keep on our game to ensure we make enough for the ever-growing demand.
Our story in UK went from a small homestyle industry to running our own factory in just over a year, as sales on the Internet and through various other outlets continued to grow. We needed space and set up our factory on Canvey Island. Demand from customers led us to keep a few SA groceries – demand continued to the point that today we have a range of well over 300 products on our shelves.
From day one our mission has been to SAtisfy the craving not only of South Africans living in UK and throughout the EU but to introduce British foodies to our foods and convert them to the joys of eatng Biltong, Boerewors and all the other goodies. Boerewors has been a special love from the start. We have taken trusted recipes, methods and spices and turned them into works of art – succulent, juicy but not running with fat. Made with top quality beef cuts and speck, we have conjured up some really tasty treats and now sell a range of more than 8 varieties. Boere-Burgers. which we started – and others followed – are a resounding success especially with the British folk who enjoy making burgers on a braai!
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