German salami

[pinkbikini]

Our family eat salami quite often. All types of Italian, French saucisson, various chorizos, etc. But I also like a low-budget sandwich made with German pepper salami. Why is it so hard to find decent German salami now? Is it something to do with nitrate levels in smoked meats? I used to be able to find decent packets of the stuff in every supermarket (Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, etc), but now it tends to be bland, flaccid Unearthed or other bespoke-brand stuff. Even Lidl, usually good for German fare, have horrible German salami.

Is it Brexit? Health concerns over nitrates? Me being off-fashion with charcuterie?

Any tips on where to find the special stuff? </Hilary Briss>

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Any tips on where to find the special stuff?

Lidl if you're on a budget, but only buy the non sliced stuff.
On Spanish and on Italian weeks Lidl have some lovely cured meats.
Marks and Sparks if you are willing to spend: pricey, but their selection of salamis is sooo good!
Recently, my local Tesco added a cured meat stand (not refrigerated, whole salamis and similar) but I haven't tried those yet.

 

[markemark]

It’s odd, I’ve noticed it’s not being sold in places I used to get it from. Tesco seem to be the only place. Been like this for a couple of months. I suspect all the supermarkets get it from the main supplier and there’s a single issue (who knows what) causing it.

 

[simongt]

One of the Polish shops around here does a cracking range of sausage / salamis on their deli counter. Nothing is pre sliced, they do it on request.

 

[Reynard]

Wondering if the outbreak of foot & mouth in mainland Europe might have something to do with it.

I did read that people are banned from bringing meat & dairy in from the EU, and that tighter controls have been put in place for commercial suppliers as well.

 

[Reynard]

One of the Polish shops around here does a cracking range of sausage / salamis on their deli counter. Nothing is pre sliced, they do it on request.

Oh yeah, you can't beat a damn good Polska Kiełbasa

 

[pinkbikini]

It’s definitely been an issue for months - well before the Foot’n’Mouth topical issue.
Sounds like I’ll have to check out the deli counters, but I don’t think I’ve seen peppered German salami there either…

 

[markemark]

Tesco.

 

[raleighnut]

Oh yeah, you can't beat a damn good Polska Kiełbasa

I love Kabanos with a beer.

 

[pinkbikini]

So where is this Tesco peppered German salami? Just did an online order, and all they have is the ‘Deli Culture’ stuff, which I’ve tried before - uurgh! Disgusting stuff, and not peppered. Concerned that standards on here might be quite low!

 

[markemark]

https://images.app.goo.gl/AgzKHhpY88iGrw2K8

It’s not pepper though. But it’s thick sliced and juicy and tasty.

 

[pinkbikini]

https://images.app.goo.gl/AgzKHhpY88iGrw2K8

It’s not pepper though. But it’s thick sliced and juicy and tasty.

That’s one of the ones I was looking for. Doesn’t seem to be available in any of our nearby Tescos.

 

[markemark]

That’s one of the ones I was looking for. Doesn’t seem to be available in any of our nearby Tescos.

Can’t help you there other than saying the large Tesco I went to has it.

 

[markemark]

Salami Update. Saw the same brand in my local CoOp too. As upthread, I imagine it's a single supplier (or importer) for all the supermarkets and for whatever reason there was a pause in the supply chain.

 

[Reynard]

I was going to suggest looking for a black pepper fuet - a Spanish cured sausage coated in pepper.