SPAM is probably the most unusual, popular food item I’ve ever seen. It’s eaten with American-Asian Cuisine, fried on a pan and some even just eat it straight out of the can. There are SPAM museums, and collectors cans that surround shelves of SPAM lovers world-wide.
So what’s the deal with Spam? Where did it come from and how did it become such a commodity? Let’s get into it.
Hormel released SPAM in 1937 in attempt to sell Pork Shoulder, a cut of meat that even in the Great Depression people didn’t want to buy. SPAM = Special Processed American Meat, which now is ironic because American food has drifted from homegrown, to overly processed and pumped with preservatives – so this canned product’s name fits. Now, some sources claim that SPAM = Shoulder of Pork and Ham but this seems less likely because why would Hormel want to specifically mention the cut of meat that wasn’t selling.
In World War II Spam was served to GI’s in Hawaii, making its mark permanently. This influenced the popular fried SPAM and rice plate that many people love.
Health wise, the high levels of fat and sodium gives SPAM a bad reputation, but the 2-5 year shelf life and cheap cost still allows SPAM to wiggle its way into pantries across the world.
Today SPAM is not only a tasty favorite to some, but a commodity.
