Livermush vs. Scrapple – What’s The Difference?

There are various dishes available when it comes to cooking a hog. Bacon pork belly pork chops are some of the most common ones. However, two less common dishes include livermush and scrapple.

Livermush and scrapple are items made up of pork and commonly sold in America. Most folks consider livermush and scrapples the same thing; however, despite their many similarities, they are not. So, what is the difference between livermush and scrapple?

The primary difference is that livermush, as the name suggests, consists of liver and other pork scrapes. On the other hand, scrapple mainly consists of pork scraps and does not contain any liver. Livermush is popular in New Jersey and Virginia, while scrapple is common in the southern US.

Livermush

Livermush has its origins in the southern US. It is primarily made of pig head and pig liver. This was considered a perfect way to use leftover scraps and pig liver to make a tasty and filling meal.  Livermush is most popular in North Carolina and the southern US. It has its dedicated livermush expositions. It was first served in 1987 and had been representing North Carolina.

Livermush is popular in North Carolina and Virginia and is considered liver pudding. Livermush consists of pig liver, some head parts of pig and cornmeal to fatten it up. Sage and pepper are commonly added to this meal’s extra flavor.

The slice commonly prepares Livermush. A piece is cut from a premade loaf and then fried in fat until brown. It serves as breakfast, lunch or dinner meal. When eaten as a breakfast meal, it is served as a combination of fries and eggs.

When served at lunch, it is served in a sandwich with mayonnaise or mustard. Nowadays, its popularity has increased tremendously and come in pizzas and omelets. It goes well with just about any meal as long as the liver flavor is enjoyed.

Nutritional Facts

The serving size of one livermush slice includes:

• Total calories: 67
• Total Fat 2.6g
• Saturated Fat 0.9g
• Trans Fat 0g
• Cholesterol 47 mg
• Sodium 429mg
• Potassium 63mg
• Carbohydrates 4.6g
• Dietary Fiber 0.3g
• Sugars 0g
• Protein 6g

Moreover, the primary vitamin included are:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Calcium
• Iron

Health Benefits

Livermush is loaded with vitamin A and provides you with about 100% of recommended daily intake of vitamin A. Getting adequate vitamin A has been linked with reduced risks of breast cancer. Moreover, the liver has been known to have significant amounts of vitamin B folate and copper.

Lower iron levels can lead to anemia; however, livermush is known to be loaded with iron and vitamin B 12 that helps maintain healthier red blood cells. The further liver has a significant amount of vitamin K, known to maintain healthy bones.

Moreover, getting adequate vitamin K is linked with a reduced risk of chronic diseases and strokes. It greatly helps maintain the good health of your circulatory system as well. Summarizing livermush’s health benefits, it can be said that it has all the necessary vitamins and minerals that are needed to keep you in good shape.

Scrapple

On the other hand, Scrapple is often confused with livermush; however, both are very different. It is primarily meat made of pork scraps and trimmings. Then additional ingredients are combined to make it into a solid loaf.

Scrapple is the best way to use leftover scraps from a pig. It is made to be delicious and pretty easy to eat. This makes it the most efficient way to obtain the most out of a pig.

Pork leftovers can be bought from a butcher shop at a reasonable price which then can be used to make scrapple. This tremendously reduces waste down and, on the other hand, gives you a delicious dish. These scraps are then mixed with wheat and other spices to be stored as a loaf.

There are various recipes available out there to make the perfect kind of scrapple. Many different spices and seasonings are used to get the perfect taste that you desire. It is kept as a loaf to be fried when served.

It goes well with breakfast and is served with eggs; it can be served in a sandwich for lunch. It is commonly available at grocery stores. Nowadays, scrapple has gained popularity, especially in the US, where it is served at many fine-dining restaurants.

Nutritional Facts

In a serving size of 1, slice or exactly 2oz of scrapple includes:

• Total Calories: 119
• Total Fat 7.8g
• Saturated Fat 2.6g
• Polyunsaturated Fat 0.9g
• Monounsaturated Fat 3.4g
• Cholesterol 27mg
• Sodium 270mg
• Potassium 88mg
• Total Carbohydrates 7.9g
• Dietary Fiber 0.2g
• Sugars 0.1g
• Protein 4.5g

Moreover, the primary vitamins included are:

• Iron
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Calcium

Health Benefits

Scrapple is high in fats which is not always a bad thing as your body needs fat to absorb necessary vitamins and minerals. Moreover, studies have shown fats boost the immune system and membranes health. However, excessive amounts of fat can lead to health problems.

A meal of scrapple consists of recommended daily intake of vitamin B2 of about 9.5 percent while 6.4 percent of vitamin B3 and about 2.3 percent of vitamin C that is recommended to have in a day. Moreover, it is also rich in selenium, a mineral closely linked to the good health of red blood cells. It also contains iron and calcium, and vitamin A and C.

So, What’s the Difference Between Livermush and Scrapple?

1. The primary difference between the two is that, as the name suggests, livermush consists of the liver as the main ingredient, while scrapple consists of other leftover scraps from pig meat.
2. Scrapple may be similar to meatloaf in taste and texture, while livermush is comparable to pate.
3. Livermush may be served as the main course; however, scrapple is not considered a main course.
4. Scrapple is mostly fried in oil or fat until it turns golden or brown and then eaten that way; however, in the case of livermush, it is best served in a sandwich.

Sources:

• Foods guy
• Mashed
• Nutritionix