Sphere of Influence - Biltong
Given how information is nowadays easily accessible, it is no wonder the sources of info have, to a degree, an influence on how people do things. For example, a bad review and it is quite likely that product (movie, restaurant, book, you name it) will be doomed. Based on this assumption, let me throw this question to the air: How influential are food bloggers in Metro Vancouver? I will admit, in my case, to some extent. For example, the place for a dinner I will be having this weekend was “chosen” based on a post!
So, when Foodosopher of Eat.Sleep..Dream…Food wrote about biltong, I was on the verge of drooling and want to check if it could be found in Metro Vancouver. And, in some odd twist of destiny, in October’s edition of Vancouver Magazine, biltong is also mentioned! Coincidence?! I don’t know! Now that I knew where I could find it, it was just a matter of finding time to go there… And I had some time today, hehehe!
I briefly talked to the person at the cashier (probably the owner) and I think she is not local, based on her accent. She explained to me what biltong was (and I will not even try to repeat it as I was not taking notes and Foodosopher has a really good explanation) and also suggested another product, chilli bites. Hey, I was in adventure mode so, I purchase some without too much hesitation. Here is the loot.
Close-up of the biltong
Close-up of the chilli bites
Before I continue, I must say I am familiar with tasajo, a Panamanian version of smoke meat which is then either fried or broiled before it is served. It is not dried up to the extent of being jerky and still has a meaty consistency. Also, I have had jerky (though not in a long time) and, in my opinion, it was OK as a snack. So, how does these two compare to jerky and tasajo? In the case of chilli bites, it was a bit chewier than expected but each bite released tons of flavour! I could taste some of the condiments used, specially the chilli (I sweat a lot when eating spicy food, though this time, I was on the verge not sweating too much though). As for the biltong, ah, the biltong… If you look at the picture again, it looks like shaved meet. It was not chewy as the chilli bites but had tons of flavour, specially because of the small bubbles of fat! Fat tastes good!!!
Overall, it was a good snack but it has an issue, which was explained to me by the cashier (and found out after I tasted it): it will make you thirsty. I mean, this is cured meat and has a lot of salt, so it should not surprised me at all… The question now is… How long would those two packs last!
African Breese Imports
1054 Marine Drive, North Vancouver
604-987-1140
For me, not very long! I didnt realize you could freeze them though. At Betsy’s,they are drying on a rack in the open, in various states of moisture. “Extra dry, dry, and moist”.
As for your question, it is an excellent question. Im not sure how influential bloggers are. I know for myself, I generally look for people whose opinions match my own. Once there is some level of trust (IE i generally agree with their opinions), they start to have more influence in my food-related decisions. But i find that trust has to be earned - it is not automatically given for me.