Pepperoni

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/pepperoni

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the classification?American variety of spicy salami
2. What is the primary composition?Cured pork and beef
3. What is pepperoni and why is it special on pizza?Pepperoni is a spicy cured meat made from pork and beef. It has paprika and chili peppers that give it a bright red color and a spicy taste that makes pizza extra yummy.
4. How does pepperoni change when it goes into a hot pizza oven?When pepperoni goes into a hot pizza oven, the fat melts and curls up into a cup shape. The heat also causes a browning reaction called the Maillard reaction, which makes the pepperoni crispy and flavorful.

Salami: A dry-cured, fermented sausage typically made from pork, known for its firm texture and rich flavor.
Cured: A preservation method involving salt, nitrates, drying, and/or smoking to inhibit microbial growth and develop flavor.
Paprika: A spice derived from ground dried peppers, contributing color and a range of flavors from sweet to hot.
Maillard Reaction: A complex chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that creates browning and desirable flavors in cooked foods.