Spam - the legendary meat.

Ever since the my earliest days watching TV I’ve had a slight obsession for Spam – I blame it on Monty Python myself. Spam, a product of Hormel Food Corporation, is a pre-cooked canned meat product that many consider to be a special treat despite the tumultuous number of jokes and legends associated with this unique product. With a wonderful gelatinous glaze covering the product it certainly doesn’t whet the appetite, and yet it is still a highly successful product that does not seem to want to die it.

Amazingly there are many different varieties of Spam:

• Spam Classic
• Spam Hot & Spicy
• Spam Less Sodium
• Spam Lite
• Spam Oven Roasted Turkey
• Hickory Smoked Spam
• Spam Spread. (really?!)

Amazingly, in 2007 the product passed an amazing threshold – seven billion cans had been sold – not seven hundred, not seven million, but seven billion! It’s sold all over the world, and despite the popularity of ‘Spam’ in Montypython it actually has a pretty large following in North America.

Where did the name come from?

In 1937 Spam was originally called Hormel Spiced Ham – however as it slowly began to lose market share, they had a naming competitions – and voila ‘Spam’ was born. Some say it is simply a combination of the ‘Sp’ from Spiced and the ‘am’ from Ham – however one official has stated it comes from ‘Shoulder of Pork and Ham’. Whatever the reason, Spam became a highly successful product.

Interestingly, the US starting sending Spam to the UK during World War II and this led to another meaning for the acronym – Specially Processed American Meats.

Is it healthy?

Served in a 12 oz can, a serving (2oz) contains the following (apart from spices and ham!):

• 2g of carbohydrates
• 15g of fat (6g of saturated fat)
• 170 calories
• 3.6% salt

So according to modern standards, with little nutritional value, high sodium and fat, Spam is a very unhealthy product.

Spam is loved?!

• Obviously if you are a Monty Python fan then you’re going to love Spam – it produced a major sketch and song, and also an award winning play ‘Spamalot’.
• There’s a Spam Museum in Austin Minnesota (where Hormel Headquarters are located). They have a local festival (Spam Jam) on July 4^th to celibrate Spam.
• Hawaii has a festival for Spam in April.
• Shady Cove, Oregan has a parade and festival.

So what is it about Spam?

Apart from being the butt of many jokes, perhaps thanks to Monthy Python, Spam is actually a pretty decent canned meat that can be used in many recipes. It is available in many diners and often is fried and cover in melted cheese. It is a cheap meat that can add flavor to casseroles and stews, or can create a great sandwich with some mustard or pickle.

It definitely is not for everyone’s taste, but there’s just something special about the slightly ham flavor that is tempered with a spiciness that is not overdone – my personal favorite is to have some hot buttered toast, some baked beans, a fried egg or three and several nice slices of hot spam!

What’s not to like!