Biltong is a beloved South African snack that has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. The word "biltong" comes from the Dutch "bil," meaning "hindquarter," and "tong," meaning "strip" or "tongue." Similar to jerky in appearance and texture (although very different in taste), it was originally developed as a way to preserve meat in the hot and dry climate of South Africa, where fresh meat would spoil quickly.