SPAM: An International Food?

Browse through most cookbooks and the name SPAM can’t be found. However, no matter where you are on the planet, the brand name SPAM has become an international icon. Sometimes touted as “mystery meat,” the ingredients of Spam, a precooked processed meat, are not mysterious at all. Classic Spam is made from ham, pork, sugar, salt, water, potato starch and sodium nitrite. According to Hormel Foods Corporation, the name was invented by a man who entered a contest held by Hormel to rename their “Hormel Spiced Ham” product and has since been erroneously referred to as “Something Posing as Meat.´

According to Hormel, “From the first can to the seven billionth, SPAM® the SPAM® Family of Products has made itself known around the world, winning over the hearts of soldiers, world leaders, chefs, kids and parents alike.

When the first blue and yellow cans came off the production line in 1937 in Austin, Minnesota,, the world was forever changed. No one would have guessed back then, but the revolutionary new product became a war hero, a pop culture icon and an American institution.”

Spam-o-rama in Austin, Texas

Hormel Foods has issued a SPAMARAMA licensure agreement with Keep Austin Weird, the non-profit business coalition of Austin-based businesses.  The event has matured and evolved since 1978. The SPAMALYMPICS™ Competitions have become a draw for the adoring public. A kid’s area is feeding and nurturing the notion that SPAMARAMA® is becoming more of a “family event.” SPAMARAMA® resembles other public fairs with it’s retail and food alley and the occasional silent auction benefiting a local non-profit agency, Disability Assistance of Central Texas.