Many people have encountered SPAM in their pantry, often passed down from parents or grandparents. It’s a canned meat product with a history and a name that many find puzzling. So what is SPAM exactly, and what does its name mean?
SPAM was first sold by Hormel Foods in 1937. It became very popular during World War II thanks to its long shelf life and ability to provide protein when fresh meat was hard to find.
There’s no clear official meaning for the name “SPAM.” Popular guesses include “Specially Processed American Meat” and “Shoulder of Pork and Ham.” Some playful meanings like “Salt Preserves Any Meat” pop up online. According to Time, the word came from combining “spiced” and “ham” in a company contest.
The ingredients list is straightforward: pork, water, salt, potato starch, sugar, and a preservative called sodium nitrate. Hormel made SPAM to meet the demand for affordable meat during the Great Depression and wartime.
SPAM is made by mixing ground pork and ham with its other ingredients, canning, sealing, cooking, and cooling. The process is simple but effective.
So, the next time you see a can of SPAM, remember its rich history and simple contents. Whether you love it or not, SPAM remains a cultural icon.
