What is the difference between salami and pepperoni?
Pizza salami or pizza pepperoni—we honestly don’t care which. We enjoy it either way. But we really should know better, because there is a significant difference between salami and pepperoni. What exactly is it? We looked into it for you.
Let’s get straight to the point: pepperoni is not salami. If you say that to an Italian, you’ll probably get slapped with their salami. So know that with a pepperoni pizza and a salami pizza, you’re getting two completely different types of meat on your pizza.
America vs. Italy
Besides Italy, there’s probably one other country that comes to mind when you think of pizza, and that’s America. They love their pizzas there. When pizza was brought from Italy to America years ago, Americans quickly went wild with their own creations. This is also where the use of pepperoni came from. Salami and pepperoni are both made from meat, but from different types of meat (or combinations of meats). Pepperoni is usually a mix of beef and pork, and sometimes chicken as well. Salami, on the other hand, is made exclusively from pork. For that reason, you’ll also find salami somewhat fattier than pepperoni.
Pizza with pepperoni—know where to order it</caption]
Another difference: pepperoni is much more heavily seasoned and spicier than plain salami. It contains many more herbs and spices. Salami can also taste herby and spicy, but in that case you'll usually be eating a variety such as salami piccante.
Pizza bell pepper, umm… pepperoni
While you see plenty of pepperoni on pizzas in America, in Italy you see salami more often on sandwiches or as a standalone ‘snack’. Order a pepperoni pizza in Italy? Then you’ll be in for a rude awakening. At least if you were craving a pizza with lots of meat. You’ll probably get a ‘pizza peperoni’, with one fewer ‘p’, and that’s a pizza with… bell pepper. Well, not quite what you want when you’re in the mood for lots of meat. In that case, you’d better order a pizza diavola; you’ll get a pizza with spicy salami. Indeed, NOT pepperoni.
Also read:
