Gifts for Foodies: A Food They Have Probably Never Tried

The best gift for a foodie is something they have read about but never actually tasted, and for most American cooks that means biltong, South African air-dried beef. Ours is certified Glatt Kosher, so it works for a foodie who keeps kosher and for one who does not.

We are The Grub Company. We air-dry biltong in small batches in Florida from grass-fed beef, and our snacks are certified Glatt Kosher. We also make a sweet jerky called Meat Candy. We are a kosher brand that sells to everyone, and this guide is for anyone shopping for a person who already eats well.

Why foodies are hard to buy for

A real foodie has already bought the good olive oil. They own the fancy salt, the hot sauce collection and the pasta machine. If you give them a "gourmet gift basket," they will recognize every item in it, and half of it will be familiar from the grocery store.

Cooking gear is risky for the same reason. Knives, pans and gadgets are personal. They have strong opinions about all of them.

So the useful question is not "what do foodies like?" It is "what have they not eaten yet?" A foodie's real appetite is for novelty with a story behind it. They want to taste something, then tell someone else about it at dinner.

That is the case for biltong. Most people who love food have heard of jerky and prosciutto. Far fewer have eaten biltong. It is a different thing from both, and it takes about thirty seconds to explain.

What biltong is, in the words you will use when you hand it over

Biltong is beef that is cured, then hung and dried in moving air. The cure is salt, vinegar and spices, and coriander is the signature spice. It is not smoked and it is not cooked. It is ready to eat the moment the bag opens.

That is the line to say when you give it: "It is South African air-dried beef. Not jerky." It is enough to start a conversation.

What a foodie will notice first is the texture. Jerky is tough and fibrous. Biltong gives way when you bite it. It is firmer on the outside and a little softer toward the middle. Then there is the flavor: beef first, then the warm, citrusy note of coriander. It is savory and salty, with no sweet glaze on top.

If your foodie wants the full story behind it, tell them it is the same method South African families have used for generations: salt, vinegar, spice and time. They will probably look it up before they finish the bag.

Three gifts, built around three kinds of foodie

Foodies are not one person. Pick the gift that fits how this particular one eats.

For the one who loves to taste everything: the Biltong Sampler Pack

The Biltong Sampler Pack is one mini bag each of Original, Peri Peri and Loaded Garlic. It is the whole range in the smallest amount that tells you anything.

This is the right gift for a person who likes to compare. A foodie will taste all three in a row and form opinions. Original is the reference point: beef, then coriander. Peri Peri is the same with real heat building behind it. Loaded Garlic is roasted garlic, rounder and sweeter, savory rather than hot.

It also solves the problem of not knowing their heat tolerance. Peri Peri is not a whisper. A sampler lets the recipient find that out on their own terms. If you want help matching a flavor to a person, our guide to which biltong flavor is right for you walks through it.

For the one who hosts: Sliced Biltong for the board

Some foodies cook for other people all the time. For them, give a full bag of Sliced Biltong. It is three ounces of sliced, ready-to-eat biltong. There is nothing to cut and nothing to prepare, and it does not need refrigeration.

A host can put it straight on a board next to pickles, mustard, olives and good bread. It reads as a conversation piece, not a snack from a bag. Guests ask what it is, and the host gets to tell the story you told them.

One note for a host who keeps kosher: keep it on the meat side of the table. Meat and dairy stay separate, so it should not share a board with cheese. For hosts who do not keep kosher, the usual cheese pairings are fine, but that is their call.

Original suits everyone at a table. Peri Peri divides a room. That can be fun at home among friends, and it can be a poor choice when you do not know the guests.

For the one with a sweet tooth: Meat Candy

Not every foodie wants savory. Meat Candy is our jerky, and it is the sweeter end of the shelf. It is cooked, glazed and unashamedly sweet. There are two flavors:

• Hickory Kickory Dock: smoky hickory with the sweetness behind it rather than in front. The one closest to what most people mean by jerky.
• Baa-Baa BBQ Sheep: Korean BBQ, sweet and savory together, with more going on.

It is made from real, whole sliced beef. If your foodie is picky about what is in their food, that is worth saying out loud. Meat Candy uses a glaze, so if they avoid certain ingredients, tell them to check the label.

If you cannot decide between the two products, our comparison of biltong and beef jerky lays out the difference. And if the foodie in question keeps kosher, our kosher beef jerky collection is the place to start. Everything there is certified Glatt Kosher.

How to make the gift feel like a gift

A bag of dried beef looks plain when it is wrapped. A foodie cares about the story, so give the story along with it.

• Write the one-line explanation on the card. "South African air-dried beef. Original is the baseline. Peri Peri has real heat." That is all.
• Pair it with something they would put with it. A jar of good mustard, a small bottle of vinegar or a loaf of bread from a bakery they like. Pick things that fit the person, not a generic basket.
• Give them a reason to taste it with someone. Foodies love a shared tasting. Suggest they try the three sampler flavors with a friend and compare notes.

If you want to see every size, flavor and sampler in one place, they are all on Buy Biltong Online. US orders over $50 ship free.

When biltong is the wrong gift

Honesty matters here, because a bad food gift is worse than no gift.

• Biltong is the wrong pick for a vegetarian, vegan or someone who does not eat beef. We sell beef only.
• It is the wrong pick if they want something sweet and soft. Biltong is savory, salty and chewy. Go with Meat Candy, or choose a different gift altogether.
• It is the wrong pick if you do not know their dietary rules. Ask someone close to them first. If they keep kosher, ours is certified Glatt Kosher. If they have allergies, check the ingredient list on the product page before you buy.
• Do not buy a slab as a surprise gift. Our Biltong Slabs are a pound of uncut biltong. They need a board and a sharp knife, so give one only to a foodie who will enjoy slicing it.

The bottom line

The best gift for a foodie is a new taste with a story. Biltong is that for most people. Start with the Biltong Sampler Pack if you want them to compare, a bag of Sliced Biltong if they host, and Meat Candy if they like sweet. Everything is certified Glatt Kosher, ships free across the US on orders over $50, and needs no refrigeration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good food gift for someone who has everything?

Pick a food they have probably never tasted. Biltong is a strong choice because most people have heard of jerky but have not eaten South African air-dried beef. The Biltong Sampler Pack lets them try three flavors at once.

Is biltong the same as beef jerky?

No. Biltong is cured with salt, vinegar and spices, then air-dried. It is not cooked. Jerky is cooked, usually marinated with sugar and often smoked. Biltong is savory and gives way when you bite it. Our Meat Candy is the jerky side of the shelf.

Does biltong need to be refrigerated?

No. An unopened bag is shelf-stable and does not need refrigeration. That is one reason it travels well and is easy to give as a gift.

Is this a good gift for someone who keeps kosher?

Yes. Our biltong and Meat Candy are certified Glatt Kosher. They are meat, so they should be kept separate from dairy. How long to wait between meat and dairy depends on your family's custom, so ask your rabbi if you are unsure.

Which flavor should I buy if I do not know their taste?

Buy the Biltong Sampler Pack, or choose Original. Original is beef first, then coriander, and it suits almost everyone. Peri Peri has real heat, so save it for someone you know can take it.

Can I ship it straight to the person?

Yes, within the United States. We ship in the US only. Orders over $50 ship free.

Is Meat Candy gluten-free?

Meat Candy uses a glaze, so check the label on the product page for the ingredient list, or ask us if you have a specific concern.