Simms – Original Beef Biltong

This Simms brand of biltong is distributed by Aldi Inc., and it is based out of Batavia, Illinois. Aldi is a very large company with grocery stores located in at least 18 countries around the world. This biltong is manufactured by the private label company Marfood USA, located in Taylor, Michigan, as far as we know.

The next review on the Simms biltong will be on a 2.25 ounce/64 gram bag of their original flavored beef biltong. This bag was purchased at an Aldi store in Niagara Falls, New York.

Ingredient Review

Ingredients: Beef, Vinegar, Contains 2% or Less of: Salt, Raisin Juice Concentrate, and Spices.

The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to graze on grass. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Good (8/10) rating.

The liquid

marinade is comprised of only healthy vinegar.

There are some healthy ingredients used such as interesting raisin juice concentrate and spices, which likely includes coriander.

As a general rule, biltong is healthier than jerky because no enzymes are destroyed in the drying process, where the intact enzymes help break down the beef in our bodies.

The sugar level is perfect at having no sugar per 28 grams of biltong. The salt level is sort of high at 425mg of salt per 28 grams of biltong to lose a rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of biltong.

This biltong does qualify to have no sodium nitrite. Instead, salt is the main preservative, and to a lesser degree, healthy vinegar. Commendably, this biltong does qualify to have no MSG added.

Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating

Taste Review

SIMMS – ORIGINAL BEEF BILTONG

Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker

When I open the bag, I believe I smell the raisins from the raisin juice concentrate. The pieces are small, thin, dry, and shiny, just the same as any other biltong we’ve tried. There is no oily residue left on your fingers.

The first flavors I encounter are salt, pepper, garlic, onion, and vinegar. As per the other biltong we’ve tried, this is similar, which is extremely tasty. D*mn, this biltong is scrumptious, delectable, exquisite, fabulous, very much like “more”. I believe I even remotely detect the raisin, which is also tasty.

Copious amounts of high-fives to the latest crack-in-a-bag, otherwise known as Simms original beef biltong. Somehow we need to make 30/10 an option. Two extremely impressed thumbs up, up, way up. 👍👍

Here is what Stéphane had to say: “The Simms Original Beef Biltong is quite tasty. It is salty, a little peppery, and has nice undertones of acidity. The strips are sliced thinly and have a pleasant texture and mouthfeel. This biltong has a clean taste from the first bite and it is not overly done in any way.”

“I do enjoy this Simms Original Beef Biltong but it leaves an after-taste in the mouth. I’d rate this biltong a 9/10 taste rating.”

Here is what Mark had to say about this original beef biltong flavor from Simms: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the great taste reviews. Yes, it’s good to review biltong again. We are obviously huge fans of biltong, and this flavor does not disappoint. There are the classic flavors of salt, natural beef, no sweetness, coriander, and of course vinegar. Using raisin juice concentrate is a super interesting choice, and works beautifully. As a side note, I thoroughly enjoyed the aftertaste from this biltong.

Now for biltong, we are going to be a little stricter in our rating. Biltong is supposed to be air-dried, which results in a texture of beef that melts in your mouth. I do believe based on the texture that this biltong was air-dried, but this texture does quite melt in your mouth compared to regular biltong.”

Due to COVID-19, we are down to three people in this review from the Group of Seven. Mark M. thought that this biltong was the best tasting ‘jerky’ since he joined the Group of Seven over a year ago, and is the first time that he had ever tried biltong. As a general rule, biltong is fantastic tasting, and superior to jerky. This biltong certainly is addictive and comes across as authentic tasting. There is zero fat present, which quite often is a staple for biltong, but it’s not a requirement. Again, my only complaint is about the texture not quite coming across as being air-dried for 17-21 days.”

This 2.25 ounce/64 gram bag cost $3.99. That works out to a fairly cheap price of $1.77 an ounce.

Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating

Bag Review

This resealable plastic bag has everything imprinted on to the bag itself, both on the front and back. No labels are affixed to this bag. There are light pictures in the background of what appears to be Africa with elephants and giraffes. A high resolution of biltong strips is displayed.

There is no slogans printed on this bag. Some facts printed are “Excellent Source of Protein”, “16g Protein”, “0g Carbs”, “90 Calories”, “0g Sat Fat”, “425mg Sodium”, “0g Total Sugar”, “No Preservative”, “Nitrate Free”, and “No MSG”.

The only missing bag categories are a best before date, and a window to view the actual biltong. There is a batch number given, which could translate to a best before date. There are good blurbs printed on the back and front about biltong. Admirably, Aldi Inc. offers a “Double Guarantee”, where they will both replace your product, and refund your money if you are not satisfied.

Very Good (9/10) – Bag Rating