| Beef jerky is a snack food known at least | | | | countries. Our word "jerky" came from the |
| since ancient Egyptian times. In early times, | | | | Spanish word "charque."Beef jerky is a |
| humans made beef jerky from animal meat that | | | | product that is a nutrient-dense meat that |
| was too big to eat all at once, such as bear, | | | | has been made lightweight removing moisture |
| buffalo, or even whales. North American | | | | by drying. A pound of meat or poultry weighs |
| Indians mixed ground dried meat with dried | | | | about four ounces after being made into jerky |
| fruit or suet to make "pemmican". "Biltong" | | | | (most manufacturers will add sugar, spices |
| is actually a dried meat made in many African | | | | and other items to help to offset this). |