SPAM, a processed meat by Hormel Foods Corporation, has become a part of popular culture despite its reputation as “mystery meat.” It was developed in 1926 and became popular during World War II, especially among American soldiers. SPAM is sold in over 40 countries and has various variations.
SPAM is a type of processed meat produced by Hormel Foods Corporation, which would prefer to see it referred to not as Spam, but as SPAM, as generalizing the name results in dilution of the brand. Meat is sometimes confused with junk mail, which is referred to as spam, in homage to a famous Monty Python skit. SPAM has become an enduring part of popular culture, especially in English-speaking nations, and despite its reputation as “mystery meat,” SPAM sells in very high volume in over 40 countries worldwide.
Hormel began developing Hormel Spiced Ham in 1926. By 1937, the product name had evolved to SPAM and the recipe had produced a meat that could be stored under almost any condition. SPAM required no refrigeration and could be consumed straight from the can. Hormel billed it as a miracle meat, and while sales were initially slow, the meat began to soar in popularity, especially as the world entered World War II.
American soldiers carried SPAM with them as part of their rations as they traveled around the world. As a result, SPAM became very popular in many Pacific Island nations, especially Hawaii. The SPAM cult in Hawaii has approached gourmet proportions, with many high-end restaurants offering SPAM on their menus. SPAM can also be found in Japanese-Hawaiian fusion foods such as SPAM musubi, a type of sushi made with SPAM. SPAM has also helped feed valuable nutrient resources to soldiers in Europe, as it is high in calories and easy to transport.
The exact content of SPAM is quite mysterious. The meat clearly contains pork, probably pork shoulder with ham, along with sugar, salt and a proprietary blend of spices. Hormel also uses sodium nitrite to preserve the meat and keep the pink color otherwise it would be gray with age. Using sodium nitrite as a preservative is an age-old cooking trick, but it can be dangerous. Studies have linked excessive consumption of the material with cancers, leading to close scrutiny of foods that include it.
SPAM’s enduring popularity has led Hormel to introduce numerous variations, including a halal version made with turkey instead of ham. SPAM is sold in hot and spicy varieties, cooked in honey, light, with ham and cheese and garlic. The basic design of the packaging remains the same, with SPAM in yellow block print against a dark blue can.
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