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August 14, 2022
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We Made The Guardian: What is a Traditional South African Braai?
We made the papers. And not just the local gazette. The Guardian gave us a ring.
Back in the beginning of August 2022, reporter Leah Harper called us up. Why? Because Boris and Carrie Johnson reportedly had a braai at their wedding party. Suddenly, the whole of the UK wants to know about South African food. Michelin-star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen recently told SAPeople that South African food is the world’s next big thing. He is absolutely right.
British people are finally learning about proper, lekker food. Leah wanted to know exactly what the difference is between a standard BBQ and our backyard culture.
Here are the five facts we shared with her about a traditional South African braai.
1. Wood is Non-Negotiable
A major difference between a braai and a barbecue is the fire. A traditional South African braai uses wood as fuel. Gas is out. Charcoal is a shortcut. Real African hardwood brings out the absolute best flavors in the meat. The air fills with thick, musky aromas. Different woods produce different flavor profiles, and you can read our Ultimate Guide to the Braai to see exactly which wood pairs with which meat.
2. It is an Event, Not a Chore
A braai is much more than just cooking food. It is an institution. It is about the atmosphere, the taste, and the people. You stand around the fire. You drink a beer. You talk. It forces you to slow down and enjoy the company. You do not just throw cheap sausages on a gas burner and eat in ten minutes.
3. The Legendary Boerewors Roll
The wedding guests dined on street food from Smoke and Braai. Their menu featured grass-fed British beef braai boerewors rolls. This is an absolute classic. Boerewors literally translates to “farmers sausage” in Afrikaans. It is a thick, coiled sausage packed with minced beef, coriander, black pepper, nutmeg, and brown vinegar. It delivers a completely unique flavor that standard sausages cannot touch.
4. The Coals Stay Lit
When you use a gas grill, you turn the dial to off when the meat is done. That kills the party. At a proper braai, the hardwood coals remain lit long after the food is cooked. Guests gather around the heat. The fire becomes the center of the entire evening. It creates an unbeatable ambience.
5. You Never Need an Excuse
You do not need a massive wedding to light a fire. It does not matter if it is a rugby match, a date night, or a random Tuesday school night dinner. You never need an excuse to have a traditional South African braai. Good food and good company are the only reasons you need.
The Expert Trick: Grilling Boerewors
Here is a trick for anyone trying a boerewors roll for the first time. Never prick the casing with a fork. If you poke holes in the skin, all the fat and spices drip directly into the fire. You lose the flavor and dry out the meat completely. Grill the coil whole over medium coals and use proper braai tongs to turn it gently.
See Us at the Leamington Food Festival
Speaking of boerewors rolls, we are taking our setup on the road. We are heading back to the Leamington Food Festival on the 10th and 11th of September 2022.
We are teaming up with Ben’s Biltong and Ben’s Meat and Heat Emporium. We are serving up authentic beef boerewors rolls loaded with those classic South African spices and vinegar.
Summary
It was brilliant to share our passion with Leah and The Guardian. The secret is officially out. Proper South African cooking is taking over the UK. Do not get left behind. Stock up on some real African hardwood from our online shop. Get a fire going this weekend. We cannot wait to meet so many of you at the festival!
