What comes to mind when you think of SPAM? Twenty-seven daily emails from those online stores you bought one thing from seven years ago? That one person in your friend group who decides to spill every thought they’ve ever had in the group chat at 3 a.m.? Or a beautiful, oblong can-shaped piece of mystery meat for your salty umami mealtime pleasure? No matter what your answer to that question is, you are all probably wondering the same thing. What is SPAM (the meat)?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: What is SPAM and does SPAM stand for anything?
Not really. According to Eater, the theory that SPAM stands for “Scientifically Processed Animal Matter” is incorrect. People have also speculated that SPAM is an acronym for “Shoulder of Pork And Ham,” since it used to be made with pork shoulder (which used to be a very cheap cut of pork). But alas, Jay Hormel, head of Hormel Foods (the company that makes SPAM) at the time, said the product was named for a combination of the words “spice” and “ham,” even though SPAM only sort of has ham and certainly doesn’t have spice.
So what is SPAM meat actually made of? Pork? Chicken? My dreams?
Much like many of our modern-day conveniences and food products, SPAM started out as a depression-era cheap meat product. It was created by Hormel Foods in 1937 and then became a wartime solution for when people needed food that could last long enough to be shipped all over the world. But as for what it’s made of, the answer is pretty simple: pork with ham meat added (that counts as one), salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrite. Surprisingly all pretty food-sounding things! If the sodium nitrite is tripping you up, don’t worry, that is a common preservative found in all kinds of foods to keep them fresh for longer. According to Hormel Foods, all of the ingredients are mixed together and put into the iconic SPAM cans, then the cans are sealed, cooked, and cooled, and the product is ready to go! If you really think about it, SPAM is basically just canned bologna (with fewer ingredients). And it kind of tastes that way too.
How is SPAM used today?
Well, that answer certainly depends on who you are and where in the world you are as well. After SPAM was sent all over the world during WWII, it became really popular in Asia, England, and Hawaii. Japanese expats who immigrated to Hawaii invented Spam Musubi, (rice balls with pan-fried, soy-glazed SPAM on top wrapped in seaweed) and Korean chefs invented budae jjigae (army stew), which is basically a hot pot dish with noodles, mushrooms, SPAM, and more—and that’s just scratching the surface! There are countless other SPAM recipes out there nowadays, from fried rice to SPAM and eggs.
Bottom line, if you have never tried SPAM and are interested, I suggest simply slicing it and pan-frying it until the outside is crispy. You will not regret it. In my opinion, it tastes kind of like if you deep fried a hotdog.
FAQs
But as for what it's made of, the answer is pretty simple: pork with ham meat added (that counts as one), salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrite.
What is the canned meat Spam? ›
First, the pork and ham are pre-ground. Then, salt, sugar and the rest of the ingredients are added and mixed, to reach the desired temperature. From there, the mixture is moved over to the canning line, where it's filled into the familiar metal cans, 12 ounces at a time.
Is Spam really unhealthy? ›
Though Spam is convenient, easy to use and has a long shelf-life, it's also very high in fat, calories and sodium and low in important nutrients, such as protein, vitamins and minerals. Additionally, it's highly processed and contains preservatives like sodium nitrite that may cause several adverse health effects.
What does Spam stand for? ›
Some say SPAM stands for Specially Processed American Meat, others believe it is a portmanteau for spiced ham, while others say it stands for Shoulder of Pork and Ham. As it relates to email, spam is not an acronym. What does the term spam refer to? Spam refers to unwanted, unsolicited junk emails.
Is Spam a canned meat product made mainly from ham? ›
SPAM is made of a pork and ham mixture, salt, sugar, potato starch, water, and sodium nitrite. The meat is ground and the other ingredients added to it before the mixture is transferred to cans, vacuum-sealed, and cooked inside the cans. After cooling, the cans are ready for sale.
How long does Spam last? ›
Shelf-stable canned ham (such as Spam) lasts 2 to 5 years on the shelf. After opening, it will generally be good for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
What is the best way to eat Spam? ›
Spam can go anywhere bacon would be. Try mixing up your usual bacon, egg and cheese and bring Spam to the stack instead. The luncheon meat is best served pan-fried, but if you're crunched for time, a simple slice straight from the can will do.
What happens when you eat Spam everyday? ›
One potential downside of eating too much of this tasty lunch meat? An increased risk of kidney disease. Since sodium is processed by the kidneys, overconsumption of sodium-rich foods like Spam, especially long-term, can lead to kidney stones or even kidney disease.
When should you not eat Spam? ›
Avoid damaged cans and funky smelling Spam
Most shelf-stable foods can last indefinitely, but a time frame for quality is usually indicated on the labels of manufactured goods like Spam. This is why FoodSafety.Gov recommends consuming shelf-stable canned meats within five years if left in the pantry.
Is Spam better for you than bacon? ›
One 2-ounce serving of the original Spam variety contains 180 calories and just a handful of micronutrients like zinc, potassium, iron, and copper. It also boasts 16 grams of fat. Bacon, on the other hand, has about 263 calories in a 2-ounce portion with an estimated 19.6 grams of fat.
Spam is any unsolicited communication sent in bulk. Usually sent via email, spam is also distributed through text messages (SMS), social media, or phone calls. Spam messages often come in the form of harmless (though annoying) promotional emails. But sometimes spam is a fraudulent or malicious scam.
What does Spam taste like? ›
Spam is truly delicious. It's salty and a little spicy with a flavor most similar to ham and a texture close to bologna.
Why do people eat Spam? ›
Pandemic shoppers hoarded necessities like toilet paper and pasta. Like soldiers during war, apparently many found Spam to be a basic need as well. The sturdy, metallic-like packaging looks like a long-lasting buy; consumers like that. Spam is versatile and convenient.
Why does Spam have a bad reputation? ›
Concerns about Spam's nutritional attributes have been raised due to the fact that it contains twice as much of the daily dietary recommendation of fat as it does of protein, and about the health effects of salt and preservatives.
Can you eat Spam out of the can? ›
Because Spam comes precooked, it can be eaten cold directly out of the can, although most people find it more appetizing if it's been cooked or heated.
Is Spam fake ham? ›
It may come as a pleasant surprise to learn that SPAM is not the preservative-packed mystery meat you might think it is. In fact, SPAM only contains six ingredients! And the brand's website lists them all. They are: pork with ham meat added (that counts as one), salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrite.
Is it OK to eat Spam out of the can? ›
Spam is perfectly fine to eat straight from can. And as far as frying up slices, they taste so much better than uncooked. Try it fried with eggs or in a sandwich to make it tasty; some people find it can be nasty cold from can.
What part of the pig is Spam made from? ›
Spam's main ingredients are pork shoulder and ham, with salt, water, modified potato starch (as a binder), sugar, and sodium nitrite (as a preservative). Natural gelatin is formed during cooking in its tins on the production line.
What is the jelly in a can of Spam? ›
It's gelatin. If you don't care for it, cut it out, but it is a natural ingredient. You will also find it in Spam and other tinned luncheon meats, and in some kinds of precooked sausages.
