Spam

In the world of canned foods, many products achieve global success and widespread adoration. However, Spam isn't one of them. Once widely accepted in the United States, this canned ham is now largely shunned by Americans, while Koreans have grown to love it.

The Genesis of Spam During the Great Depression

The story of Spam dates back to 1937, during the Great Depression, the most severe economic downturn in 100 years in the United States. This crisis had a massive impact on both public and private sectors, causing numerous businesses to fail, leading to widespread unemployment and loss of income.

However, one company, Hormel Foods Corporation, saw an immense opportunity during this major crisis. Led by Jay Catherwood Hormel, the founder's son, he conceived the idea of using pork shoulder and ham less popular and less meaty cuts seasoning them with spices, and canning them. This product was named Spam, a portmanteau of "Spiced" and "ham." It was sold at an affordable price, making it accessible to low-income individuals.

Initially, Spam's target audience was housewives seeking cheap, quick, and ready-to-eat food. Spam was a canned product that could be stored without refrigeration for months. However, many housewives at the time were hesitant to consume food that wasn't frozen or freshly cooked, so Spam didn't sell as well as anticipated.

Spam's Role in World War II and American Disillusionment

It wasn't until World War II that Spam gained widespread acceptance within the U.S. military. As soldiers lacked sufficient protein sources, Spam became a valuable food supply. Moreover, Spam was sent to troops fighting overseas, forcing soldiers to consume it continuously for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's safe to say they grew utterly tired of it.

This led to widespread discontent among American soldiers regarding Spam. They complained endlessly, but had few other options. This sentiment reached The New Yorker, and when the news was published, the Spam manufacturer immediately retorted, "No matter how lousy they think eating Spam is, they're going to keep eating that meat until the war is over."

From Wartime Leftovers to Korean Delight

Later, when the war ended, there was no doubt how much Americans, especially the soldiers, detested Spam. However, every crisis presents an opportunity. Unexpectedly, Spam became immensely popular in South Korea. During World War II, U.S. soldiers deployed as forces in South Korea brought Spam as provisions. They shared Spam with South Korean soldiers, who then incorporated it into their meals.

South Korean soldiers creatively combined Spam with other available ingredients to create a dish that fused the cultures of both countries: Budae Jjigae (부대찌개), or Army Base Stew. This Korean hot pot was made from leftover army rations, with Spam as a key ingredient.

Thus, after the war, Spam became a beloved food among South Koreans. Koreans often use Spam to create various dishes, such as frying it until crispy and serving it with fried eggs, kimchi, and hot steamed rice. This contrasts sharply with how U.S. soldiers consumed Spam, simply eating it without much preparation, which explains their aversion.

Korean Spam and Its Modern-Day Evolution

As Spam gained popularity in Korea, in 1987, CJ Cheil Jedang, a major South Korean processed food company, consulted Hormel to learn how to make Spam palatable to Korean tastes. Hormel, the original creator, cooperated fully. The two companies collaborated to produce "Korean Spam," reducing its saltiness and seasoning levels to suit Korean preferences. Upon its launch, Korean Spam achieved overwhelming nationwide sales. The culture of eating Spam was then widely promoted through various media, including advertisements, TV shows, movies, dramas, and more.

Over the years, Spam has undergone numerous developments to meet changing consumer demands, introducing new variations from low-fat and low-sodium formulas to Spam with Bacon, offering more choices to consumers.

Ultimately, although Americans may have turned away from it due to satiety, today, Spam has become an accepted food in many countries. Its versatility and widely accessible flavor allow it to be transformed into various dishes. If you prefer a saltier taste, opt for U.S. Spam. But if you desire a milder flavor, choose Spam from Korea.

Spam Email: The Origin of the Unsolicited Mail Term

Having covered the history of Spam as food, we'd like to briefly share the story behind why unsolicited emails are also called "Spam." It's said that the term "Spam" for unsolicited email originated from a famous Monty Python sketch in 1970. In this sketch, various restaurants served menus overwhelmingly filled with Spam. Thus, the word Spam became a metaphor for excessive and repetitive content.

In the early days of the internet, as email usage became more widespread, large volumes of unsolicited email messages began to be referred to as "Spam." These messages were often mass-sent to non-target recipients and contained deceptive advertisements or other unhelpful content. Therefore, the word "Spam" came to be used to define this type of email