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What is (beef) jerky?

Jerky is the name for cured and dried meat. Normally it denotes dried beef, but other types of meat and fish are being used as well. This type of food is normally associated with the native Americans and the word is derived from the Arawak word charqui. Traditionally it is prepared by curing in salt followed by smoking; however, it can also be made by slow drying in an oven.

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