Ask Us Anything: All Your Burning Questions About Beef Jerky & Biltong Answered

In the 10 years that Arron Zamel has been at the helm of DJays Gourmet, he’s poured his heart and soul into entrenching the company as Australia’s leading supplier of packaged jerky and biltong – and there’s nothing about these two meaty treats that Arron doesn’t know. 

We sat down with him to get answers to all the questions about biltong and jerky that we’ve always wanted to ask (even the curly ones like why jerky is expensive). 

Q: Is jerky healthy?

AZ:       Look, jerky is certainly a healthier snack.  It’s made from lean animal protein so it’s way better for you than sugary or carb-heavy foods like shop-bought cookies and lollies and it also contains heaps of other good things like iron, vitamin D and zinc.  But as with all foods – you should munch beef and jerky in moderation and eat them as part of a balanced, healthy diet.

Q: What’s the difference between jerky and biltong?

AZ:       It’s really surprising how many people think they’re the same thing – but there are actually lots of differences including the fact that one originated in South Africa and the other in South America.

They’re made from different cuts of meat (chunks of beef for biltong and thin strips for jerky), they use different ingredients (jerky is marinated whilst biltong is just brined and spiced), the production process is different (biltong is air-dried naturally while jerky is cooked over heat) – plus they don’t have the same nutritional profile, taste or texture. You can read this article if you’re keen on learning more.

Q: Do you use preservatives?

AZ:       Most of our products don’t use preservatives – just simple ingredients like salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and spices. But for one of our biltong varieties (the moister style), we do use a preservative to make sure it stays safe and fresh for longer. If clean ingredients matter to you (and we reckon they should), always check the label – we’re proud of what we put in, and what we leave out.

Q: Can kids eat jerky?

AZ:       Of course!  I’ve even heard of people giving their teething babies a stick of jerky to chew on to soothe their gums!  Jerky’s the perfect meaty morsel for all ages.

Q: Can dogs eat biltong and jerky?

AZ:       I don’t know about you, but our dogs reign supreme in our home.  What’s ours is theirs.  And that means having to share our jerky and biltong  with them – and it’s completely safe to do so.  We also give them our famous DJays pet treats which we make in exactly the same way as we do our human treats…but if your dog requires a special diet or anything else, it’s best to check with your vet first. 

Q: How long does jerky last once opened?

AZ:       For as long as you can resist it ha ha!  Look, jerky can last for ages without special storage, but after two weeks of the package being opened, you should shift it to the freezer in an airtight bag to stop it from losing any of its yummy chewiness.

Q: Why is jerky so expensive?

AZ:       What do they say about dynamite in small packages?  In all seriousness, some people may consider jerky to be a premium treat, but the reality is that you’re getting a really punchy low-fat, high-protein energy boost in every bite.  And considering that our jerky is handcrafted from premium ingredients using the best quality beef around, my view is that the best things in life are worth it!

Q: Talking of beef, where do you get yours from?

AZ:       Ours is pure Aussie beef mate.  Nothing but the best – plus we love supporting our local farming communities too. 

Q: What else do you do for the community?

AZ:       Ah, there’s lots that we do behind the scenes like donating gift boxes to local organisations for raffles and prizes, sponsorships and supporting local charities and we’re always happy to help.  We also support Aussie agriculture and local farming communities with the amazing ’Ag in a Box’ educational initiative.

Our footy tipping comp is another really fun way we engage with the community and our weekly prizes and the big one at the end of the season are always hotly contested!  My tip is to sign up for our socials so you won’t miss the cut-off date for entries…go the Crows!

Q: Why don’t you make your biltong and jerky from other meats?

AZ:       Good question.  It’s a quality control thing.  And a trust thing I guess.  We only use beef because it means we can guarantee there won’t be any cross-contamination between different raw products and our customers can trust in our food standards.

Q: On the subject of quality control – what’s your approach to food safety?

AZ:       The highest standards of food safety have always been a top priority for our team – even 40 years ago when the family started this business.   Our operations are fully certified and we don’t waver from the HACCP guidelines so we can guarantee the integrity of our processes and the quality of our products.  Why risk everything we’ve worked so hard for? 

Q: Do you sell DJays merchandise?

AZ:       We sure do!  Stubby holders, bottle openers, caps – just add them to your next order!

We had to let Arron go as there were a heap of online orders to be filled and he was needed in the factory – but before he left, he asked us to reiterate that he’s always happy to answer any questions about biltong or jerky.  You’re welcome to contact him on 08 9248 8277 or you can check out the FAQs on our website. 

Arron is always available to help – and this customer-focused approach along with all his knowledge, experience and close connection to South Africa (the home of biltong) – are some of the many reasons why he’s been our favourite GM for the last decade and why DJays dried meat products are Australia’s favourite!