Pepperoni Clues May Signal Trouble at Pizzerias

The Popularity of Pepperoni on Pizza

Pepperoni is one of the most beloved pizza toppings in the United States. According to data from Gitnux, it's the number one topping, featured in 36% of all pizza orders. This makes it a staple for many pizza lovers. In 2022, Americans spent $46.8 billion on pizza, with nearly $17 billion going toward pepperoni pizza alone.

But not all pepperoni is created equal. To understand what makes good pepperoni and what to avoid, Tasting Table consulted Noel Brohner, a pizza consultant and instructor at Slow Rise Pizza Co.

Signs of Good vs. Bad Pepperoni

Brohner highlighted several indicators that can help you determine the quality of pepperoni on your pizza:

• Appearance after baking: Good pepperoni should blister, curl, and char slightly around the edges. It should have texture and not look lifeless or rubbery.
• Cup-and-char style: This type of pepperoni curls upward into small cups that hold rendered fat and concentrated spice. It's often a sign of high-quality pepperoni.
• Flat pepperoni: While not always bad, flat discs that don’t move in the oven may be standard commercial products engineered not to curl or char.

Grease and Texture

Another important factor is how the pepperoni interacts with the heat during cooking:

• Controlled grease: Pepperoni should render fat in the oven, which contributes to flavor. However, excessive grease can be a problem, especially if it floods the pizza and makes it too greasy to eat without a napkin.
• Texture: High-quality pepperoni should maintain a rich red tone after baking, with crisp edges and slight blistering. Low-quality pepperoni may turn grayish, dry, or rubbery instead.

Signs of Poorly Stored Pepperoni

Pepperoni that has been sitting out too long can show signs of oxidation:

• Dry appearance: If the edges look leathery or faded, or if the slices lose their fresh reddish color, it may be a sign of poor storage.
• Shriveling: Older pepperoni tends to shrivel and harden, losing the balance of char, crispness, and texture.

What to Look For in Good Pepperoni

Brohner emphasized that good pepperoni should have visible cupping and charring. He also noted that flat pepperoni isn't always a bad thing, as some pizzerias mix traditional lie-flat pepperoni with cup-and-char varieties to create different textures and flavor layers.

Final Tips for Choosing Good Pepperoni

To ensure you're getting good pepperoni, look for:

• Rich red color with caramelized edges
• Visible rendering of fat during the bake
• Contrast in texture: crisp rims, slight char, rendered fat, and some chew in the center

By understanding these hallmarks, it becomes easier to spot high-quality pepperoni every time.

Understanding the Quality of Pepperoni

Key Indicators of Good Pepperoni

How to Spot Inferior Pepperoni