Johnsonville Italian sausages; have they changed or eliminated the casings? (ingredients, breakfast)
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For many years, when I bought Johnsonville Italian sausages-- AFAIK the only kind available without access to a specialty butcher counter-- the skins were crisp after cooking, or at least they had a different texture than the inside. You really needed a sharp knife to cut them easily, yet once in your mouth they were easily chewed, unlike synthetic casings according to what I've heard about those. In the old Johnsonville sausages, the skins contributed a nice snappy quality to the overall mouth-feel.
But for the past few years, it seems that that Johnsonville's sausage casings are either nonexistent or so thin they might as well be. Based on what I said above, I don't think they're using synthetics, but they're definitely not using the traditional skins from the gut, either. You can cut these sausages with the side of your fork, and you really can't slice them anymore because when you try it, what used to be a firm disc-like slice of sausage now breaks up into small chunks. The sausages still taste good but they feel fake.
If they haven't changed the casings, then what else did they do to change this product?
For many years, when I bought Johnsonville Italian sausages-- [[b]AFAIK the only kind available without access to a specialty butcher counter[/B]-- the skins were crisp after cooking, or at least they had a different texture than the inside. You really needed a sharp knife to cut them easily, yet once in your mouth they were easily chewed, unlike synthetic casings according to what I've heard about those. In the old Johnsonville sausages, the skins contributed a nice snappy quality to the overall mouth-feel.
I've no idea where you are shopping, but our regular, standard grocery stores typically have two other brands of sausages next to the johnsonville brand. Typically, the store brand and another national brand, usually Carando or Premio. Johnsonville is my last choice because of the bland flavor.
It might depend on the girth of your sausage… Johnsonville breakfast sausage is made from pencil casings… Usually from lamb
The thicker, larger Italian sausage… Are usually made with hog casings… Which are thicker
I’ve made sausage for over 40 years… And even sometimes the casings/skins are thinner than others… they are much more delicate and easier to break when you put them on the sausage horn …
It might depend on the girth of your sausage… Johnsonville breakfast sausage is made from pencil casings… Usually from lamb
The thicker, larger Italian sausage… Are usually made with hog casings… Which are thicker
I’ve made sausage for over 40 years… And even sometimes the casings/skins are thinner than others… they are much more delicate and easier to break when you put them on the sausage horn …
I’m surprised given various allergies and religious restrictions that any of the national brands of sausages would still use animal casings.
It might depend on the girth of your sausage… Johnsonville breakfast sausage is made from pencil casings… Usually from lamb
The thicker, larger Italian sausage… Are usually made with hog casings… Which are thicker
I’ve made sausage for over 40 years… And even sometimes the casings/skins are thinner than others… they are much more delicate and easier to break when you put them on the sausage horn …
I learned something new with this. I've never actually made sausage at home but I didn't know there are different casings (thickness) for specific types. Well, I'll be. Good info, mainebrokerman.
“All beef” ______ with a lamb or pork casing? I know people who are allergic to mutton & lamb. If they buy a pork breakfast sausage link with a lamb casing they could have digestive issues.
“All beef” ______ with a lamb or pork casing? I know people who are allergic to mutton & lamb. If they buy a pork breakfast sausage link with a lamb casing they could have digestive issues.
I would think that people with serious food allergies habitually read the ingredients list. Heck, my dog is mildly allergic to chicken and I read the ingredient list before I buy any dog treats.
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Good info, mainebrokerman. 
