What is cup and char pepperoni?
It is pepperoni made to curl into a small cup when it bakes. The edges crisp and char, and the center holds a little pool of seasoned oil. It is the signature topping on Buffalo-style pizza.
Why does some pepperoni cup and some lie flat?
It comes down to the casing, the thickness and the size. Cupping pepperoni has a casing that shrinks fast in the heat and pulls the edge up. Most flat pizza pepperoni is wider, thinner and has no casing pulling on it.
Is cup and char the same as old world pepperoni?
Often, but not always. "Old world" usually means a natural casing pepperoni made in a more traditional way, and many old world pepperonis cup. Cup and char specifically describes how it behaves in the oven.
Does cup and char taste different?
Yes. The crispy charred rim adds a smoky, almost bacon-like crunch, and the oil stays concentrated in the cup, so each bite is more intense than a soft, flat slice.
Is cup and char pizza less greasy?
It often feels less greasy because the rendered fat collects in the cups instead of spreading across the whole slice.
What brands of pepperoni cup?
Popular choices include Battistoni Cup & Char, Ezzo, Hormel Cup N' Crisp, Vermont Smoke & Cure, Margherita and Boar's Head. See our
brand guide.
Can I buy cup and char at the grocery store?
Yes. Hormel Cup N' Crisp is sold at many grocery stores, and many deli counters carry natural casing pepperoni sticks. Ask for a stick and slice it yourself.
How thick should I slice it?
About 1/8 inch for most brands. Thinner slices curl too far and burn. Thicker slices stay flat.
Should pepperoni go under or over the cheese?
Over. The edges need to be exposed to the heat to curl and char.
What temperature makes pepperoni cup?
Hot. At home, preheat to 500 to 550°F with a stone or steel. Pizzeria ovens run even hotter, which is why the char is so good.
Why is cup and char so popular in Buffalo?
It is a defining part of Buffalo-style pizza, and local makers like Battistoni supply pizzerias all over Western New York. For a lot of Buffalo shops, it is what makes their pizza their pizza.
Was there really a cup and char shortage?
Yes. In late 2020, meat plant disruptions led to a shortage, and Buffalo pizzeria owners made industry news scrambling to keep it in stock.
Where can I find pizza with cup and char near me?