Washington, D.C., January 17, 2022 - AYOBA, best known for its award-winning Biltong, has partnered with Andrew Zimmern, the Emmy- and James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef, and Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nation’s World Food Programme, to craft a limited release biltong flavor in support of the charitable organization, Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP). CTAOP supports the health, education and safety of youth in Africa, and the collaboration between AYOBA and Zimmern is predicated on a mutual love of South African food & culture. A portion of sales from the limited release Cracked Green Peppercorn Biltong flavor will be donated by AYOBA directly to the CTAOP.
AYOBA was founded by first generation immigrant brothers, Wian and Emile van Blommestein, who were unable to find suitable replacements for their favorite South African meat snacks, biltong and droëwors, tender slices of air-dried beef and handcrafted beef sticks, respectively, and decided to build upon their family’s long-standing tradition of crafting these foods for themselves. “We found that the American meat snack category was dominated by big players using sugary marinades, chemical preservatives, and long lists of ingredients,” said Emile van Blommestein, Co-Founder and Vice President of AYOBA. “Using our own family recipes, AYOBA products offer consumers better tasting, more tender and healthier alternatives, crafted with only real ingredients such as sustainably-sourced grass fed beef.” Adds Wian van Blommestein, Co-Founder and President of AYOBA, “Quality and strong values are of the utmost importance to us, and that is why we are honored to partner with Chef Andrew Zimmern who has a long history of actively supporting charities we admire, and we are excited to celebrate and give back to our South African roots by donating a portion of sales to CTAOP’s worthy cause.”
“I fell in love with dried meats and jerky as a young boy at summer camp, and that love affair has never abated,” said Chef Andrew Zimmern, host/creator of the Magnolia Network series, Family Dinner. “When I tried real biltong first in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and other countries, the quality and flavors were superior to anything I’d ever tasted. It was the best expression of dried beef I could imagine, and AYOBA offers that same premium quality in the commercial space here in America, so I jumped at the chance to design a flavor profile for a product that will support CTAOP, a non-profit that is saving and changing lives, and providing better futures for South Africans.”
The Cracked Green Peppercorn Biltong has the fresh peppery flavor and bright aroma of cracked green peppercorns and perfectly accentuates the bold umami flavor of AYOBA's Grass Fed Beef Biltong. Earthy notes from sage, thyme and rosemary beautifully complement the natural sweetness derived from dried apple. Unlike traditional jerky, for their Biltong AYOBA sources the highest quality ingredients available and air-dries the product for up to fourteen days, for a naturally tender slice of beef that doesn’t rely on sugary marinades or chemicals to help retain the moisture. The drying process also leaves more of the beef’s natural nutrients intact for a higher protein/zero sugar alternative to jerky.
The limited release Cracked Green Peppercorn Biltong is available exclusively on AYOBAfoods.com for $7.99 for 2oz until sold out. The AYOBA brand is also available nationwide in retailers including Whole Foods, Earth Fare, Erewhon, and Wegmans, as well as several online retailers such as ThriveMarket.com and Amazon.com. Please visit AYOBA’s website for a store locator. To further support and learn more about the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project: CTAOP, please visit the organization’s website to donate and sign up for their newsletter.
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About AYOBA
AYOBA is an emerging, better-for-you snacking brand crafting internationally-inspired, sustainably-sourced beef snacks called Biltong & Droëwors. AYOBA was founded by first generation immigrant brothers from South Africa and is built on the brand pillars of authenticity and transparency. The word “ayoba” is a popular term used in South Africa to describe something you like or agree with. AYOBA’s beef snacks remain highly distinguished as the only Biltong & Droëwors in the US that are Keto Certified, Paleo Certified, and Whole30 Approved. AYOBA can be found at top US grocers such Whole Foods Market and more. As well as online on ThriveMarket.com, Amazon.com, Vitacost.com, and on their own website www.AYOBAfoods.com.