On July 5, 1937, Hormel Foods introduced SPAM, the famous canned processed meat product that has garnered a devoted following over the years. The official website for SPAM reveals that the ingredients of this mystery meat are not so mysterious after all. It consists of “six simple ingredients” including pork with ham, salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrate. The production process is relatively simple and conventional, starting with pre-ground pork and ham which are mixed with the remaining ingredients to achieve the desired temperature. The mixture is then moved to the canning line where it is filled into the familiar metal cans, 12 ounces at a time. The cans are vacuum sealed, cooked, cooled for three hours, labeled, and finally put into cases.
During World War II, starting in 1941, SPAM was sent worldwide to feed Allied troops. Its pre-cooked and tinned nature made it ideal for shipping long distances. Over 100 million pounds of SPAM were sent to support the troops. The popularity of SPAM has grown exponentially, with the sale of the one-billionth can in 1959 and over 9 billion cans sold worldwide as of 2023.
The popularity of SPAM has inspired two annual festivals in the United States, as well as the creation of the SPAM Museum in Austin, Minnesota. Austin, Minnesota is also home to the SPAM Jam, a festival dedicated to all things SPAM-related. Hawaii has a special affinity for SPAM, with more consumption per person than any other state in the United States. In fact, almost seven million cans of SPAM are eaten every year in Hawaii. SPAM has become so popular in Hawaii that McDonald’s introduced SPAM products in its Hawaiian restaurants in 2002.
SPAM has also gained popularity in various Asian cuisines, particularly in Korea. South Koreans consume more SPAM than the residents of any other country besides the United States. The popular Korean dish “budae jjigae” or “Army stew” was created after the Korean War when meat was scarce and expensive. An excess of processed food, including SPAM, on a U.S. Army base in South Korea led to the development of this unique stew.
As of 2023, SPAM is available in 11 varieties, including Classic, Lite, 25% Less Sodium, Maple Flavored, Oven Roasted Turkey, Hickory Smoke Flavored, Hot and Spicy, Jalapeño, Teriyaki, and Tocino Flavoring. Limited edition flavors like Pumpkin Spice and Figgy Pudding have also been produced in recent years. With a considerable number of cans consumed every second, SPAM continues to be a beloved and versatile food product enjoyed by people around the world.
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