As settlers populated the eastern part of the United States and towns and cities grew up overnight; there became an urge to move west. American Indians reigned over the western part of the country and jerky was a big part of their existence.
As we mentioned earlierBison jerky or Buffalo, as it is more commonly known today, was the main staple for Native American tribes. Because of their culture and beliefs, when a Buffalo was killed it was used to feed the entire tribe and every piece of the animal was used. The hide was used for shelter, blankets, shoes, clothing and much more.
It was important to not waste any part of the animal. Storage of the meat was critical and many times Native Americans used the fat from the Buffalo to make Pemmican. According to Wikipedia, Pemmican is a concentrated mixture of fat and protein and was eaten as a high energy food. Some tribes would dip the meat into hot fat and hang it above the fire to smoke it. This was a popular method when they were able to have a fire as dried meat was easily stored and carried with them.
The preferred method for efficient food storage was dehydration. Natives would create a rack from sticks and thin strips of leather. From this they would hang pieces of meat and allow the wind to dry it and they would use some of the fat to coat the jerky to preserve the meat from mold and moisture.
When the Gold Rush started, settlers relied on the dehydrated jerky that they would make as they traveled by wagon. Today it sounds unappealing to think about all of the dust, dirt and bugs that would fly into it, but settlers were not always able to make a fire. It was also difficult to hunt everyday so preserving what you did have was critical.The settlers and others that traveled on horse used jerky as a mainstay of their diet as it was easy to pack and carry in their saddle bags.
As homesteads were settled, everyone lived off of the land. Hunting became easier once settled as did farming. Elk, rabbit, venison, bear and eventually chicken, pigs and cows became readily available protein sources. Meat preservation remained a priority as there was no refrigeration.
Learning to adjust to new methods and ways to survive harsh winters, deserts and wind storms and everything else the west brought the settlers was a feat. Having a method to preserve their meat as jerky was a life and death survival situation and thankfully the Indians shared their methods so long ago.
FAQs
Natives would create a rack from sticks and thin strips of leather. From this they would hang pieces of meat and allow the wind to dry it and they would use some of the fat to coat the jerky to preserve the meat from mold and moisture.
Is Mountain America jerky real? ›
Mountain America Jerky offers a vast selection of jerky in a variety of meats and flavors. Try a little bit of everything in our popular sampler packs, or mix and match from our 40+ jerky options.
How did the Native Americans make jerky? ›
American Indians dried thin strips of game meats under the sun to make a product called “boppa,” which was preserved without salt or smoke. “Pemmican” was a mixture of berries or suet with pounded dried meat.
What is the story behind beef jerky? ›
In the US, beef jerky history dates back to cowboys in the 1820s who started using beef jerky as a means of preserving their meat while out on long cattle drives.
What did they eat in the 1800s in America? ›
Eggs, milk and butter were sometimes available as some settlers kept cattle and chicken, but the most consistent staples were corn bread made with coarse meal, wild game and "rusty pork". Most of the surviving first hand accounts describe the food unfavorably.
How did they store beef in the 1800s? ›
Meat products could be preserved through salting or smoking. A salt cure involved rubbing salt into the meat, which was then completely covered in salt and placed in a cool area for at least twenty-eight days. During this time, more salt was constantly added.
What did cowboys call jerky? ›
The name char'qui eventually became “jerky”. Jerky allowed people to be able to store meat and then consume a high protein source when food was scarce. The early pioneers and cowboys came to rely on jerky as a main staple of their diet. Soon, various spices were added to enhance the flavors.
When did humans start making jerky? ›
Most agree that jerky came about in the 1550s. It's considered both North and South American as far as its origin. South American and North American tribes made jerky a little differently, both in the meat used and how they prepared and enjoyed it. But it coexisted through the Americas around the same time.
Why is jerky called jerky? ›
Jerky is lean trimmed meat cut into strips and dehydrated to prevent spoilage. Normally, this drying includes the addition of salt to prevent bacteria growth. The word "jerky" derives from the Quechua word ch'arki which means "dried, salted meat".
What is beef jerky slang for? ›
However, jerky can be made out of any kind of meat, including alligator, kangaroo, ostrich, and alpaca, which would be considered unusual in the United States. Jerky can also be used as slang to mean “stupid” or “foolish.” In this sense, jerky is an insult and people described as jerky would not be happy about it.
In short, though beef jerky is a healthy snack, its best consumed in moderation. Most of your diet should come from whole, unprocessed foods. Though beef jerky is healthy, avoid eating too much of it, as it's high in sodium and may come with the same health risks that are linked to eating processed meats.
Is jerky pork or beef? ›
Pork jerky and beef jerky are made exactly the same way. The meat is sliced, marinated, cooked, dehydrated, and packaged. The main difference between the two is that beef jerky is made from cow and pork jerky is made from pig. The flavor and texture differences really come down to personal preference.
How did they keep meat from spoiling in the Old West? ›
They placed the meat on a layer of salt and covered it with more salt, sometimes mixed with pepper and brown sugar. Salt draws moisture out of meat and thus stops the process of rotting. Some people later stored the meat buried in shelled corn, because the corn was a good insulator.
How did ancients make jerky? ›
Ch'arki was produced by drying the meat in the hot sun during the day and then freezing it during cold nights. Unlike modern beef jerky, the earliest form of jerky was prepared with bones included, rather than thin strips of boneless meat.
Did Civil War soldiers eat beef jerky? ›
During the Civil War, an estimated 2 million Union Soldiers ate jerky with relish.
When did humans start grinding meat? ›
The Original Food Grinder: The Mortar & Pestle. Featuring a curved lip, deep bowl, and thick, oblong pestle, the mortar and pestle is a traditional type of food processing equipment that's been used since about 35000 BCE.
As settlers populated the eastern part of the United States and towns and cities grew up overnight; there became an urge to move west. American Indians reigned over the western part of the country and jerky was a big part of their existence.