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SPAM, the canned processed meat product that has developed a cult following, was introduced by Hormel Foods on this day in history, July 5, 1937.
The mystery meat’s ingredients are not so mysterious after all, according to the official website for SPAM (a combo of the words “spiced ham”).
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Consisting of “six simple ingredients” — pork with ham, salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrate — SPAM has “a relatively simple, conventional” production process, says its website.
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“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,” the site points out.
“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.”
SPAM was introduced to the world in July 1937. Hormel claimed in 2022 that some 13 cans of SPAM were consumed every second.(Newscast/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
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The filled cans are then brought to a “closing machine,” where they are vacuum sealed.
The cans are then cooked and cooled for a three-hour period, are given labels and are then put into cases, the SPAM website details.
Beginning in 1941, SPAM was sent around the world to feed Allied troops during World War II, says the SPAM website.
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Since the meat is pre-cooked and tinned, it is shelf-stable and ideal for shipping long distances.
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Over 100 million pounds of SPAM were sent to feed the troops, the site indicates.
In 1959, the one-billionth can of SPAM was sold.
The popularity of SPAM has led to at least two annual festivals in the United States.
As of 2023, over 9 billion cans of SPAM have been sold throughout the world, the company says.
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The popularity of SPAM has led to at least two annual festivals in the United States that celebrate the product, as well as the SPAM Museum in Austin, Minnesota.
Austin, Minnesota, is also home to the SPAM Jam, a festival about all things SPAM-related.
Stacks of SPAM sit on grocery store shelves. The product has sold more than nine billion tins since it was introduced on July 5, 1937.(Getty Images)
While Hormel Foods is headquartered in Minnesota, another state has taken a particular liking to SPAM: Hawaii.
“More SPAM is consumed per person in Hawaii than in any other state in the United States,” according to the website for the Waikiki SPAM JAM, the other SPAM-focused food festival.
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“Almost seven million cans of SPAM are eaten every year in Hawaii,” said the festival’s webpage.
It is so popular in the state that McDonald’s introduced SPAM products in its Hawaiian restaurants in 2002, the Associated Press noted at the time.
A cashier at a McDonald’s location in Wahiawa, Hawaii, stands behind an advertisement for the then-new SPAM, Eggs and Rice Breakfast Platter in June 2002. Hawaii’s residents consume more SPAM compared to residents of any other U.S. state.(Phil Mislinski/Getty Images)
SPAM is also a popular ingredient in various Asian cuisines, particularly Korean.
South Koreans consume more SPAM than the residents of any other country besides the United States, the Hormel Foods website notes.
Despite having only a sixth of the population of the United States, South Koreans consume half as much SPAM each year.
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The popular Korean dish “budae jjigae” — which translates to “Army stew” or “Army base stew” — developed after the Korean War, when an economic downturn meant that meat was scarce and expensive.
A U.S. Army base in the South Korean city of Uijeongbu had a surplus of various processed food, including SPAM — which “was totally new to Koreans,” Korean chef and YouTube creator Maangchi said on her website.
Budae jjigae, or “Army Stew,” was made from ingredients that were found on U.S. Army bases in South Korea after the Korean War, including SPAM. (iStock)
“Eventually these ingredients made their way into surrounding areas of the base and some creative Koreans made stew from them,” she said.
“They boiled spam, ham, sausages and baked beans with kimchi, garlic and hot pepper paste and flakes, creating a Korean-style stew with American ingredients.”
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Even as South Korea’s economy rebounded, the stew — and SPAM as a whole — remained extremely popular.
SPAM has been available in as many as 15 varieties in recent years, including SPAM Classic, SPAM Lite, SPAM 25% Less Sodium, SPAM Maple Flavored, SPAM with Real HORMEL Bacon, SPAM Oven Roasted Turkey, SPAM Hickory Smoke Flavored, SPAM Hot & Spicy, SPAM Jalapeño, SPAM Chorizo, SPAM Teriyaki and SPAM with Tocino Flavoring, according to Hormel Foods.
Limited edition flavors SPAM Pumpkin Spice and SPAM Figgy Pudding were produced in 2019 and 2022, respectively, says the SPAM website.
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In 2022, Hormel claimed that some 13 cans of SPAM were consumed every second, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
Utah has so much to do in the fall — even a simple drive around the neighborhood feels like an experience with all the spectacular fall foliage across the state.
Here are events, concerts, sporting events and more that offer the opportunity to support our local community and celebrate Halloween and fall.
Here’s a breakdown, by type of event or activity, of things going on in Utah this October.
Utah markets, festivals and events in October
Oct. 1-Oct. 30 — Cross E Ranch Fall Festival | Cross E Ranch, Salt Lake City
Oct. 1-Nov. 2 — Black Island Farms Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch & Nightmare Acres | Black Island Farms, Syracuse
Oct. 3-30 — Halloween Express Train | Heber Valley Railroad, Heber City
Oct. 3-30 — Santaquin Fall Festival | Rowley’s Red Barn, Santaquin
Oct. 3-31 — Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch and Thriller Park | Draper
Oct. 3-6 — Scarecrow Walk | USU Botanical Center, Kaysville
Oct. 3 — Art Cottage at Gardner Village | Art Cottage, Gardner Village, West Jordan
Oct. 3-19 — Deseret Peak Utah Temple Public Open House | Deseret Peak Temple, Tooele, Utah
No. 10 Michigan will play in its first road game of the season when it takes on Washington on Saturday night. While neither team looks the same from last season, the game will be a rematch of January’s National Championship Game where Michigan won handily. The Huskies, 3-2, are searching for their first signature win in the Big Ten and the Huskies could get that by defeating the Wolverines.
Michigan and Washington are meeting for the 15th time ever. The Wolverines hold a 9-5 all-time record over the Huskies and Michigan has won the past three meetings between the two teams. The last time Michigan was in Seattle to face Washington, the Wolverines lost 23-18 in 2001.
The Wolverines are hoping to see their passing attack progress on Saturday against the No. 6 Washington passing defense. But Michigan will likely need to rely on a strong run game behind Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards, along with stifling defense on the road.
Before the game, here is some important information you sould know.
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Spread: Michigan +1.5 (-108)
Over/under total: 41 points
Moneyline: Michigan +102, Washington -122
– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –
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DAYTON, WYOMING — The 51,115-acre Elk Fire west of Sheridan, Wyoming, continues to burn with 0% containment. The fire is located about six miles north of Dayton, Wyoming, which is about 15 miles west of Sheridan. Officials were concerned it could grow significantly overnight Friday night with the passage of a cold front and winds forecast to gust to more than 50 miles per hour.
More than 500 firefighters are working the lightning-caused blaze — which was first reported on Friday, September 27. They took advantage Thursday’s calmer weather to conduct burn-out operations and create more of a fire break.
Kristie Thompson is the Elk Fire information officer for the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team. She says there is no timeline for containment or control. “There are patches of unburned timber well within the fire area,” she said. “We will continue to see smoke from this fire until we have snow.”
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She also urged people stay safe. “If you’ve been evacuated, please do leave. And if a road is closed, please steer clear. We have fire traffic that needs to be in that area.”
Lisa Eichhorn is a spokesperson for Sheridan County. She said it’s disconcerting for area residents to see smoke and ash in the air. But, she says, “Don’t get overly, concerned because you see ash in the air. Ash is ash, not necessarily embers. And when or if it’s going to affect you directly, we will let you know as soon as we can.”
“There’s a lot of information out there, but it’s only a few of us that are putting out the official information,” says Eichhorn. And we try very hard to get that out as quickly as we have information, but obviously this is a fire, and it changes. So our Facebook site — Sheridan County Facebook site. Our Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office has a great active account, as well as the U.S. Forestry Service Bighorn.”
On behalf of the Incident Management Team, Thompson thanked the local community for it’s support. “[They] have been amazingly gracious with everything they’re going through. They have shown us support and kindness from the very start, and we can’t thank them enough.”
And she praised the local firefighters for their work. “The local volunteer fire department, they’ve been here from Day One,” says Thompson. Dayton, Ranchester, Sheridan — they’ve been the ones that have been fighting this fire. And we’re very thankful for all the work that they have done.”