What Is Old World Pepperoni? Why It Makes A Difference & Pizza Recipe

If you follow the food and recipes space online, you may have come across chatter about something called “old world” pepperoni. Some people like it, some people don’t. So, what is “old world” pepperoni, anyways?

---

Old world pepperoni refers to a higher quality pepperoni typically prepared with spicy seasonings, bacterial cultures, and a natural casing. The spicy seasonings and bacterial cultures give it a bolder flavor than other kinds of pepperoni, while the natural casing causes it to curl into “cups” when cooked. Old world pepperoni may also be sliced into thicker, more irregular shapes which further affects the cooking process and adds character to the finished product.

But there’s more to “old world” pepperoni than a bit of extra spice and a different shape. Read on to learn what sets old world pepperoni apart as well as to gain an understanding of the marketing gimmicks behind it that have made it so popular.

What Is Pepperoni?

Part of the confusion surrounding old world pepperoni is a lack of understanding of what “regular” pepperoni is in the first place.

Pepperoni is a kind of American sausage that’s made from cured, dried pork and beef and seasoned with paprika as well as various kinds of chili peppers. Pepperoni can occasionally include poultry products such as chicken or turkey but this is less common and must be explicitly stated on packaging, at least in the United States.

Pepperoni is typically sliced into thin rounds and served on pizza in the United States and around the world. However, to the surprise of many Americans, pepperoni is not well known or commonly eaten in Italy. Pepperoni is an entirely Italian-American creation.

Interestingly, pepperoni is not even an Italian word, strictly speaking, although it does have an Italian derivation. Peperoni, in Italian, refers to a bell pepper while peperoncino (meaning “small pepper”) and refers to a hot or spicy pepper. It’s unclear exactly how or when, but somewhere along the line, Italian-Americans associated the word for bell and hot peppers with the sausage itself, and thus “pepperoni” sausage was born.

Of course, Italians make lots of spicy kinds of sausage as well, so while pepperoni as we know it is an American creation, early Italian-American immigrants would have had plenty of inspiration to draw from. Some of these Italian sausages include soppressata and salsiccia Napoletana piccante.

One important thing to remember about regular pepperoni is that is generally mass produced and almost always is made using an artificial casing. This point will be important as it regards “old world” pepperoni and what makes it distinct.

What’s The Difference Between Pepperoni & Old World Pepperoni?

Both regular and old world pepperoni share a lot in common, however old world pepperoni is distinct because of the way it is prepared and the ingredients used to make it.

Compared to regular pepperoni, old world pepperoni is spicier, thicker and comes in a natural casing which causes it to curl up into cups when cooked. Old world pepperoni is also fermented using several kinds of bacterial cultures compared to the more simple cultures used to make regular pepperoni. All of this leads to a “bolder” tasting pepperoni, due to the added seasonings and enhanced fermentation, with a more appealing texture and charring due to the natural casing.

In other words, “old world” pepperoni is simply a higher quality pepperoni made using less industrialized processing techniques than the traditional kind found in your supermarket.

Even the name is a bit misleading. “Old world” implies a kind of pepperoni made in Europe, as opposed to America, but as we discussed, pepperoni is an entirely American invention anyways. What the “old world” part is really referring to is the more traditional methods of preparing the sausage, like extra fermentation and drying, that leads to a better taste and texture, but these methods have been used to make high quality American sausage for generations as well.

As you can see, calling this pepperoni “old world” is really just a marketing ploy to make it seem like you’re getting something exotic and foreign while the reality is far more mundane. The difference between “old world” and “regular” pepperoni can be more accurately described as the difference between “high quality” and “low quality” American pizza sausage. There is very little having to do with the “old world” when it comes to “old world” pepperoni.

The Natural Casing Sets Old World Pepperoni Apart

“Old world” pepperoni may try to set itself apart by it’s “bigger, bolder” flavors, but the truth is pepperoni taste and seasonings vary from one producer to another. What does set “old world” pepperoni apart from regular pepperoni is the use of natural casing.

Nearly all regular style pepperoni is made using an artificial casing, as is standard for highly processed, industrially manufactured meats. Artificial casing is weaker than natural animal derived casing and tends to disintegrate under high heat when cooked. This means the pepperoni will generally bake into the flat round slices we’re accustomed to seeing on most American pizza, especially when the pepperoni is cut into extra thin slices.

On the other hand, natural casing, as is used with “old world” style pepperoni, is stronger and tightens under high heat. This causes the rims of the pepperoni to curl up into “cups”, hence the “roni cups” many pizzerias advertise who use this kind of pepperoni. When the pepperoni is sliced into thicker irregular slices, this effect is accentuated and a deeper cup is formed.

This kind of pepperoni is sometimes referred to as “cup and char” or “Buffalo style” though there likely many more local names in different cities across the US.

How Is Old World Pepperoni Made

Old world pepperoni is made much the same way as regular pepperoni, except instead of industrialized methods, old world style pepperoni is made using more traditional sausage making techniques.

Old world pepperoni is made with ground pork and/or beef, lots of seasonings like paprika, chili peppers, mustard seed, and fennel, as well as fermented with various kinds of bacterial cultures. The mixed and seasoned meat is then stuffed into a natural sausage casing made from beef, sheep, or pork intestines. The sausage is then dried and cured over a period of time to further develop the flavor and texture.

Who Makes Old World Pepperoni

Old world style pepperoni is made by a number of manufactures, including some pizzerias that have their own in-house recipes. For most of us, however, we’re limited to what’s available online and at our local supermarkets.

Brands That Make Old World Pepperoni:

• Bridgford: Makes various deli foods, jerkies and pepperoni
• Kroger Private Selection: Kroger’s premium store brand food
• Hormel: A family of brands that makes a number of different foods
• Olli: Makers of artisanal slow-cured meat products
• Battistoni: Makes a variety of different pepperoni types
• Ezzo: Italians meats, sausage and pepperoni
• Salt and Time: Austin based butcher and deli
• Margherita: Popular packaged pepperoni maker
• Boar’s Head: Maker of quality hams and other meat products

Keep in mind that there is no official “old world” standard or certification so the term is thrown around quite a bit and probably means different things to different people. The list I’ve provided here are of brands that either make specific claims of making “old world” style pepperoni, or simply brands that are generally well regarded whose pepperoni curls up in the oven.

At the end of the day, your own taste for the flavor and texture of these pepperoni brands will tell you which one is best!

What Stores Carry Old World Pepperoni?

Old world style pepperoni can be found at markets all over the United States, and probably the world as well. However, be advised that not all local markets carry it and it might be something you can only find at higher end grocers or delicatessens. Depending on where you live, in a big city or somewhere further away, it might be a good idea to call around first to see which stores carry it.

In any case, the following located all over the United States often carry old world style pepperoni:

• Walmart
• Kroger
• Whole Foods
• Safeway
• Publix
• Trader Joe’s
• Aldi

This is not an exhaustive list by any means, and your local organic or artisanal market might be a safer bet anyways. Call around or use Google first before making a trip to the grocery store. If they don’t know what “old world” pepperoni is, tell them you’re looking for a rustic style pepperoni in a natural casing that cups and curls in the oven.

In many cases, your local deli might be the best place to start your search.

Buy Old World Pepperoni Online

If you’re like me and can’t find old world pepperoni near you, thankfully in this day and age we can find most things online. Amazon has a selection of quite a few brands of pepperoni and many of them fit the bill for “old world” style:

Old World Pepperoni Pizza Recipe

Related Posts:

• NYC Style Pizza Sauce – A Pre-Cooked Tomato Sauce For American Style Pizza
• Which Mozzarella Cheese Is Best For Pizza? Low-Moisture Mozzarella Vs Fresh
• When Making Pizza What Goes On First?
• 70% Hydration Pizza Dough Recipe – No More Dry Crust
• How To Choose Olive Oil – Pick The Best Olive Oil For Your Money Every Time
• Pepperoni and Jalapeno Pizza – Tastiest Pizza Ever

Related Questions: