In recent months, there has been considerable debate over which pepperoni is best for today’s pizza lovers.
Cup-and-char pepperoni (roni cups) is smaller in diameter and cooks to a brick-red colour. The natural collagen casing shrinks while cooking, causing the slices to curl into a bowl shape. The natural oils stay in the cup, adding an extra shot of spicy flavour and an appealing glossy look that customers are loving. A boost of sugar helps speed the charring process to create a crispy outer texture.
While roni cups, such as ROSA GRANDE® Cup + Char Pepperoni, come at a premium over traditional flat-style pepperoni, American restaurants have reported significant increases in sales for their cup-and-char-pepperoni pizzas.
Flat-style pepperoni has long been a ubiquitous offering for pizza chains and in-dining restaurants. The casing is removed before slicing, so they stay flat throughout the cooking process. These larger sized slices are popular with operators for their coverage, costs and ample market supply.
Even with the growing demand for cup-and-char, flat pepperoni will continue to be a mainstay for pizza makers because of the lower cost and familiarity with generations of customers. But for those that are looking to wow customers and pique their curiosity, cup-and-char might just deliver that all-important competitive edge.
