The 12-Year-Old Dropout Who Led to Inventing SPAM from Unwanted Pork Meat

[@tristamsculthorpe4609]

When I was 7, my Dad worked up on the lumber camp all winter and my Mom was working but was quite ill. This lead to me making my first meal, which I had waiting for my Mom and sister when she came home. Mashed potatoes, home canned peas and SPAM - baked in the oven with a diamond pattern cut into it, basted with honey and festooned with cloves. Thus began my culinary career - now in its 6th decade...

[@jlshel42]

Appreciate your story, wow

[@ants2230]

Nice man I wish you more success and happiness

[@nozrep]

that is a fantastic history of yourself! I do love individual histories of people and their personal stories. We each have a story to tell. Yet however, I apologize, cloves on spam does not sound terribly appetizing to me. lol. But maybe it is as I have never tried it yet!

[@leewomack3498]

This one of the most loveliest stories I've heard. Kudo's to you for your culinary service!

[@Rizzd.Commerce]

Beautiful

[@heyokaempath5802]

When my husband and I were newlyweds and pretty poor, we couldn't afford to buy ham for Christmas, so I bought Spam and put a pineapple sauce with it. (Just put a can of crushed pineapple into a blender and pulse it to applesauce consistency.) We always think back to that time and how we didn't feel deprived to enjoy that Christmas Spam. Being happy and grateful is a choice we can make.

[@pickleeggs3340]

HOLY F,NOT THAT FN POOR🤣. STORY TIME

[@dezikatotaku302]

Sounds delicious and humble ☺️

[@sandasturner9529]

I hear ya!

[@RayMak]

Your story is so close and cozy to me. Hugs

[@Cacowninja]

It's seems to be ham anyway so I guess you still get to win after all.

[@Randycane5991]

I can remember waking up in a freezing tent back in the 70's to the smell of spam cooking on a skillet with eggs . Deer camp as a little boy with a dad who sacrificed the cold so I could stay warm ..spams more then a food to alot of us

[@liannebedard5521]

@@Randycane5991 My favorite cousin was in the Pacific during WWII. When he returned home, unharmed, he told his wife…peanut butter and jelly, egg salad, Mac and cheese…I will eat any of them if it helps us stay on budget…but NO SPAM. Apparently it was the only offering for the frontline troops.

[@liannebedard5521]

@@Randycane5991 I often snacked on mustard and mayonnaise sandwiches with a glass of milk. Not exactly gourmet, but it suited my childish palate…the memory makes me smile

[@josephgaviota]

This is a story .... saved MILLIONS of people from starvation ... Enough Said! That's a hero right there!

[@badpanda84]

Yeah but hero's don't usually get psid

[@EveryDooDarnDiddlyDay]

People could have saved themselves, but Americans are lazy and entitled and expect the government to save them.

[@crypton_8l87]

People starve because they can't get waste pork?? 😒

[@oooooo1535]

I wish YouTude stop SPAMMING me with these suggested videos

[@richardnellson5257]

@@badpanda84 if he didn't get paid.....the product would never have been developed, and millions would have starved to death......lol

[@chriss172]

Here in nyc, lot of stores have spam locked up because too many people were stealing it. Never thought I'd have to ask a store employee to unlock a case so I can buy a can of spam

[@jodyvance4114]

That’s fkd up but i get it 😂

[@osteopathichomeopathicking6154]

Wow.

[@drivestowork]

That's funny... but it's not!

[@youngz13o]

CVS locks up deodorant, it’s crazy

[@jensgronning4436]

Nothing surprises me in the rotten apple.

[@davidmccabe4041]

SPAM.....what memories.....my father died in 1952 when I was aged 13......in Ireland we had avoided most of the horrors of WW2 with local food always available so when I was sent to a charitable boarding school near London UK in Sept 1952 I was introduced to spam...artificial meat I called it...I could not eat it however cooked...even now over 70 years later I am feeling queasy at the memory. David McCabe Dublin Ireland aged 84

[@joeyhunter842]

Chopped and Fried spam with scrambled eggs….. mmmmm . Thanks for giving me the breakfast idea today.

[@bigfootwalker5399]

​@@joeyhunter842in truth no one actually knows what is used to make spam, but we know its not all pork!

[@joeyhunter842]

@@bigfootwalker5399 it’s printed on the can

[@bigfootwalker5399]

@@joeyhunter842 if you believe what it says the "ingredients" are then you probably also believe the listed "ingredients" of hotdogs are honest 🤣

[@dyfrigshandy]

​@@bigfootwalker5399generalization foolish, sign of a lazy weak mind

[@robertgolden1080]

We live in South Florida and have to deal with hurricanes from time to time. Instead of dealing with the mad rush to the grocery stores with wiped out shelves. For years I’ve been putting together storage containers with shelf stable foods. Spam is a staple in our supplies. Fate favors the prepared.

[@Jeffgordonfan24hesthegoat]

Stay paranoid 🤡

[@vickieadams6648]

It sure does.

[@baliksupper6043]

I honestly wouldn’t feed my dog spam🇬🇧

[@arniekando6846]

@@baliksupper6043 You would if the world turns upside down again like in those days.

[@NathanTarantlawriter]

Absolutely! Spam is the perfect camp and hiking food.

[@ThemarketingguyNet]

Spam meat is a life saver for so many people that are in hard times or struggling. It's an inexpensive way to eat. Props to the founder for starting the business

[@southsideman4891]

Yes. GOD bless them for this meat.

[@grovedwayne390]

I'll stick with ramen noodles 🍜 😂. Spam is harder to steal because the can triggers the shoplifting sensors. Never had that problem with a pack of noodles. That was 15 years ago when I couldn't find a job. Never forget those struggles

[@trentonarganbright1871]

Spam ain't cheap

[@trinkabuszczuk6138]

Inexpensive, you say. Here in Australia, if it’s not on a deal, you’ll pay seven or eight dollars! 😮

[@Swampy-ci3np]

@@trinkabuszczuk6138 Wow thats high. I can't say its much lower then ground turkey at my store both being about 3 dollars. cost about 3.50 I think rounded up 3.60 dollars at my local walmart,( I work at this one I should say ). where as ground turkey pork are about 3 dollars like 2.88 and ground turkey is like 2.50 rounded up. these are like cheapest ones, and My state is Missouri which has good Ag industry. um I think most of the other ground product 4 dollars to 4.50 per pound even 5. I am looking and seeing 6.28 for 2 pack of spam, and 2.18 for Walmart generic spam like product no idea if it taste any good though.

[@trucker287]

Fascinating story, I'm in the UK and in the late 50's I remember mum giving us a treat, fried Spam with peas. I'm so inspired I just went out and bought a can. Thanks for posting this amazing story.

[@chucky2316]

@trucker287 my local chip shop does spam and pea fritters luvly

[@philip4846]

During the Pacific war often when Australian troops met US troops the Australians, who were sick of their canned corned beef would swap with US troops who were sick of their spam, both were glad to be able to eat something different!

[@BarHawa]

Thanks for sharing, this is a cool piece of history

[@magiccarp3710]

Ramens good also just add hot water

[@stonecut4u2now]

Bully beef and pickles Mate!

[@j.dunlop8295]

Spam that is sold in North America, South America, and Australia is produced in Austin, Minnesota (also known as "Spam Town USA") and in Dubuque, Iowa. Austin, Minnesota also had a restaurant with a menu devoted exclusively to Spam called "Johnny's SPAMarama Menu."

[@spazzypengin]

Menu fatigue is all too real.

[@infamyinfamy]

You missed out the popularity of spam in the UK where during WW2 it replaced fish in the fish n chip shops. It was deep fried in batter to make "Spam Fritters". It was a staple at schools during the 1970s and 1980s and you can still buy it in some chippies today.

[@TerpeneProfile1]

Sounds delectable. I’ll have to try that. Cheers.

[@yugenheorte6828]

My neighbour had a thing for spam fritters, she wasn't in the best of shape

[@winkee1915]

My grandpa used to make them. Lovely grub

[@paul.5976]

I still eat spam im 63 spam rules .

[@rickbear7249]

No. Fish was never on ration in England, because there wasn't a fish shortage. But, yes, batter-coated SPAM Fritters were very popular in England during WWII.

[@thomassnell5384]

People forget that SPAM also had its can opener attached to each can. Looked like a key.

[@rickbear7249]

That can-opener key was also infamous as it caused more hospitalised serious injuries in the kitchen than any other food product. A fascinating history to SPAM.

[@DaleSteel]

Those existed for years on corned beef tins

[@withnail-and-i]

​@@DaleSteel still do in Canada

[@YuckFoutube-e1z]

Who are these people so i can spank their spam?

[@DaleSteel]

@@withnail-and-i do in UK too lol

[@ramargate]

When I was a kid here in the Philippines, whenever my aunt and granny sends package, we hope that there is spam in it. Or if someone from US comes home, we were hoping to be given at least a can of it. Spam was a dream food for us way back then... Now it's readily available here in groceries and I still got a taste for it....

[@wisemonkey9858]

Sounds like one of the best gifts you can give to a Filipino or Guamese is spam?

[@ramargate]

@@wisemonkey9858 yes it is. 🤣. Now that I can already afford it, I always include it in my groceries. In the 80's we seldom taste it because it isn't available in stores especially in far provinces.

[@heyokaempath5802]

There is a Spam with Tocino seasoning and my family LOVES IT. It is absolutely delicious!!

[@RidinDirtyRollinBurnouts]

Spam is quite versatile in dishes. You can make "sushi" out of spam with rice and nori. It's quite a popular snack in Hawaii for example. Spam is enjoying quite the comeback in the unfortunate case of inflation

[@ramargate]

@@heyokaempath5802 I thought the tocino flavored is only available here in the Philippines... Where you at?

[@user-yt5sk7sk6o]

Koreans have a dish called army soup. During the korean war, when americans brought in beans, sausage and spam, Koreans used those ingredients in their kimchi soups and thus the dish was created. Its one of my favourite korean foods growing up, and spam makes the dish so much better. Spam is a big part of the korean war history as well it seems haha.

[@futile-evenings]

And it's delicious

[@blackkkabllakkcaa]

@PaPa Shango 😂

[@Cacowninja]

@PaPa Shango Stereotype much?

[@eddieraines8365]

@@Cacowninja l agree that statement was not cool not at all.

[@canon07]

And this creating kimchi spam rice

[@lovehistory5305]

When times are tough spam and rice kept us going. Always have a few cans in pantry stored up for emergencies. One of the greatest inventions ever in my opinion.

[@UmmJannah5]

It's soooo salty tho🥴I would never eat it now(as I don't eat pork) but I remember eating it as a kid.

[@alanfrost4661]

Unfortunately its getting expensive in the uk

[@Boii93]

I’m with u bro I’m always eating spam and rice I’ve been eating spam back in 2000

[@lv1543]

Asian

[@richardbrown3061]

Been eating SPAM for over 60 years. I like it fried crispy.

[@annarodriguez9868]

My dad, who is 97, was in the navy during WW2 and to this day he will not eat Spam because he says that he ate it every day and hates the look and smell of it. As for myself, I love a slice of Spam on a Hawaiian sweet roll with a touch of mayo. So yummy!

[@judithsweeney2553]

Spam and pineapple.

[@hotdog557]

Me too it’s disgusting 🤮

[@stonerman7832]

@@hotdog557 Do you know what Hot Dogs are made of?????????🤮

[@suisui5930]

@@stonerman7832 dog that get warmed up really hot?

[@samuelbekele3601]

@@stonerman7832 Depends on the hotdog. Some hot dogs are made with good meat like ground muscle, tounge, and cheek instead of that pink meat sludge most are made of.

[@luxuryhub1323]

In Hawaii, SPAM isn’t just a canned meat, it’s a big part of history and played a role in the island’s economy as an inexpensive source of protein. But times have changed since SPAM was introduced by Hormel Foods in 1937. Changing consumer tastes and competition from new brands has made packaged food products a competitive market

[@mr.gamewatch6165]

As a person from Hawaii, I an confirm everyone here loves spam

[@hoppinggnomethe4154]

that explains why when I traveled to Hawaii, I saw lots of food made wih Spam

[@OKayD3N]

Hawaii and Alaska

[@gerinavarro6238]

Philippines sell Hormel Spam equivalent to $20 a can. SPAM is big over there and here in the states with Filipinos. Try Spam Tocino 😋

[@mr.gamewatch6165]

@Beardman what do you think, based on the name?

[@martyn8116]

Spam is still on sale everywhere in UK. From large supermarkets to family stores. I love it.

[@animeminians7451]

Jealous.

[@shawnhoebeck7784]

​@animeminians7451 are you Hawaiian? Cuz I know that they have a special fondness for spam

[@angelomariano9494]

Okinawa has it in all forms.

[@kasahadragon9499]

​​@@shawnhoebeck7784it was a UK staple all through the 60s and 70s. I'm now 60 snd still love either a fried spam sandwich or just to eat it out of the tin. Now it's only a treat though because it is so unhealthy and it's not an economical food anymore (at least not in Australia where I live now).

[@chucky2316]

Love it aswell

[@stevenearman8891]

Awesome stuff. People have strived to preserve foods for eons. Talk all the s&$t you want about it. It WILL keep you alive.

[@badpanda84]

Well yeah but so will eatinh McDonald's

[@pattijesinoski1958]

Wish it was offered in gluten free option.

[@pilsplease7561]

@@pattijesinoski1958 Spam is 100% gluten free

[@ThatsMrPencilneck2U]

During WWII, civilians, in the US didn't get much meat, so Spam was a real treat. For soldiers, like my father, just about all the meat served on campaign was some kind of canned meat, often an inferior copy of the name brand. When the war was over, my mother made the mistake of serving Spam for dinner. My father was not happy.

[@RonHelton]

lol

[@briangleason5597]

We understand. Rrrrr me salty matey.

[@chucky2316]

@@ThatsMrPencilneck2U corn beef more like it my grandfather was a soldier in ww2. Corn beef and hard tack biscuits

[@jackhodgson4749]

😂

[@SMR3663]

When I was in the Army I became friends with a woman who was from Appalachia W.Virgina. Very poor . Her mother would make spam on Holliday and her birthday. She would send all of her pay home except a few dollars she kept for her self . One Christmas me and a bunch of friends gave her about $500 to send home. They still had Spam for Xmas dinner.

[@GeorgeWashington283]

It's CHRISTmas

[@sharon70418]

​@@GeorgeWashington283 X is a cross on it's side. Lighten up.

[@GeorgeWashington283]

@@sharon70418 you are just ridiculous

[@Bro1212_]

@@GeorgeWashington283 buddy do you know what the “X” even means? It’s a cross on its side, Xmas is literally pronounced Christmas X means Christ in that context, for someone getting upset about religious terms, it’s clear you haven’t gone to church enough to know

[@GeorgeWashington283]

@@sharon70418 you are wrong.....

[@DankRedditMemes]

From being made of undesired cuts for the depression, to being one of the **most** expensive meats in US supermarkets, even more so for canned meats.

[@tarpulin8179]

Wait SPAM is expensive in the US?

[@DankRedditMemes]

@@tarpulin8179 $3-$4 for a 12oz can, so $4-$5.33 a pound. You can get authentic pork for about $2-$3/lbs. You can get ground beef for ~$2.99/lbs. Chicken leg quarters are under a dollar a pound even.

[@MorganaRavenheart]

But it's great for prepping. If it was cheaper I'd buy a room full of it.

[@OrhallaZander]

@@tarpulin8179 Yeah, it is expensive as fudge compared to regular meats.... doesn't make sense.... I would eat it if desperate... tastes worse than baloni*

[@raging_keato.5581]

Spam is still a dollar where I live

[@elwin38]

When i was a kid in the 70's, i ate Spam. I use to cut it in slices, fry it, and make bbq sandwiches out of it.😋😋✌🏾

[@edwardramirez8550]

While deployed in Irag : we got a meal: two slices of spam/ slice of onion! On dry bread...best meal of my life!

[@Letsgetbusy293]

Onions made that meal

[@don476]

I live in the Philippines and my wife makes sure to always have Spam around the house. We usually do NOT eat it, as it is used mostly for decoration so our friends and neighbors can see the cans and be impressed. That is a true story, even in 2022.

[@pepermayde]

your wife is not alone and I don't think it will ever change. 😂😂

[@SirBobbyDuncan]

I lived in the Philippines for 6 months and had several boxes shipped from California. Every single box showed up on time with everything in the box regardless of the value, except for the can of spam. $10,000 worth of side scan sonar for my buddies fishing boat, left alone and in perfect condition. My friends thought it would be funny to put one can of spam and said box. Sure enough when the box was delivered it had been opened they can have been removed and my in-laws laughed.

[@suskagusip1036]

😂🤣😂

[@kerrysoeun2005]

My in-law does the the same thing. 8 can of spam and doesn't want to open it. I told them I'll buy more later.

[@j.dunlop8295]

Spam that is sold in North America, South America, and Australia is produced in Austin, Minnesota (also known as "Spam Town USA") and in Dubuque, Iowa. Austin, Minnesota also had a restaurant with a menu devoted exclusively to Spam called "Johnny's SPAMarama Menu."

[@Soxruleyanksdrool]

My Grandfather who served as a cook in WWII always told me that The US Government was looking for a cheap source of protein to feed the military. Hormel won the contract by creating SPAM, which stands for Special Process Army Meat.

[@paulh2981]

Interesting! I wonder how that rumor got started. Or was it a joke?

[@stephaniepowell3501]

I believe you

[@MoneyShotMusic]

@Wayne Flanigan it’s not artificial at all

[@YTGofckyourself]

Except that's a made up story cause the name came from a naming contest by Ken Digneau and won $100

[@chouseification]

except it stands for Spiced Ham... not that gibberish you said

[@JR-bj3uf]

Spam is part of our emergency preparedness stores. Here in Tornado Ally you need a few days worth of ready-to-eat types of meals. We keep canned goods and Spam. The problem for my wife and I, with eating Spam on a regular basis, is the high salt content but it does make a great emergency food. (We also keep Pop-Tarts which we never eat but would be a great high caloric ready-to-eat addition.)

[@ulysses312]

l. mk,o,,mkk,k,o

[@christuusgnosis]

The reason spam is so greasy is it was a bacon replacer it was designed to be sliced and fried and leave enough of a grease pool to fry eggs

[@dpt6849]

❤

[@c.e.anderson558]

We had a crock on the to put. Excess bacon crease for cooking.

[@AlphabetSt45036]

L😂L

[@CCootauco]

Growing up in the Philippines, Spam was a staple of my childhood. Fried in egg and eaten with rice. It's also amazing how miraclous this stuff is if you think about it. Turning unwanted cuts of meat into hardy food.

[@Mr.Saturn0]

Its also expensive tho?

[@bigbadbillb]

Fried Spam and eggs is great.

[@gentilewarrior]

When you think about it Spam is not so bad, since the unwanted cuts of "pork" was made up of liver, heart, kidneys and other organs alongside muscle meat. It was and is a complete animal prey model since all animal parts are consumed and eaten.

[@smaelaringo7215]

Thank you sir for sharing the history of Spam we love it in the Philippines, all foods must from all countries deserved to be respected, because this gives them life.

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you. My wife and I still enjoy SPAM. Had it as a kid while living in Taiwan. It can be cooked all sorts ways and eaten with a variety of other foods.

[@veo16]

2:30 after working at a Tanners, Butcher Shop… railroad, lumberyard… then going back to being a Butcher for his uncle.. he was 19? Kids must have worked all their lives back then.

[@HomewithyourMom]

You worked or you starved. There was no government handouts then. Lazy people did not survive

[@kevintaylor9912]

They sure did, I've been working since I was 10 first job: paper boy 1970 I'm 62 yo now and still working it's what I'm used to!

[@googleblockedme5543]

This was also the late 1800s child labor laws weren’t a thing yet

[@ryuunosuk3]

@@kevintaylor9912 a warrior

[@csickpuppy]

Spam, the mystery meat that fed the world when it was needed the most. Hats off to Spam

[@first6969]

Please Please Don't Include Us In India When You Say Fed The World... Thanks But No Thanks... We Are Proud Vegetarians...

[@CarinoGamingStudio]

like when the lab grown will be implimented.

[@johnfleff]

The King Jame version of the Bible says in Leviticus chapter 11 verses 7 and 8 God's people are forbidden to eat hogs, not even allowed to touch it ..... will man obey g God or their stomach? Huh?

[@Mř.FęęlBąd]

@@first6969who cares ?

[@agustin20091]

Vegetrashians ​lack of hygiene everywhere@@first6969

[@luv2sail66]

I never thought of trying Spam until after I married my wife who is from China. I was surprised to learn that she ate Spam as a child. She convinced me to try it and now I like the hickory smoked flavor cut into cubes and eaten with ramen. I find it tasty and a nice low cost option for lunch.

[@paulh2981]

Try frying it until it's crispy. For me it's actually better than bacon.

[@shannonquinn8687]

Lol, that's an impressive feat on her part considering in my 10 years living and working in China I never once saw Spam. Saw it in Hong Kong, but that was before CCP takeover.

[@sjsupa]

@@shannonquinn8687 40 years ago, when I was in my teens, SPAM was indeed a luxury food item in China, only available when treating guesses. Nowadays, it is piece of trash no one even pick off the ground. It tells how far China had grow in the last 40 years. I am surprised that it is still a gift item in Korea and I don't believe it.

[@YTGofckyourself]

@@shannonquinn8687 so your random 10 years was supposed to make you an expert compared to someone who was Chinese expat huh, pfft

[@swagkillayolonoscopesgg]

Youve been infiltrated they got taps in the walls brotha man

[@cdstoc]

I'm from Hawai'i and confirm that Spam is a staple. I live on the mainland now but still keep several cans in the pantry at all times.

[@paulhowes5094]

Spam, Spam, Spam, baked beans and Spam

[@travelwithtony5767]

I spent three months in South Korea last year, and one of the most surprising things I discovered was their love for SPAM, which is almost as popular as Kimchi and included in almost every cooked meal. 🤔

[@comicmania2008]

Yes I'm a spam fan, from the UK. Spam has become quite expensive now, so I buy tins of supermarket own chopped ham with pork, it's about half the price. Taste is similar, but the biggest difference is that there is a lot more salt in spam. However, I do still keep 2 small tins of spam in my survival kit, for when the zombie apocalypse happens.

[@SirBobbyDuncan]

Bacon spam is the best

[@JDAfrica]

Growing up in a Jewish home - I’ve never had spam. We often had a small tin of pilchards in oil mixed through rice. Terrible stuff.

[@DAV4997.]

Or a second term of biden.

[@prathameshrege]

Egg, bacon & Sp*m

[@michaelluciano7774]

I once lived on the Navajo reservation for 11 year's. Spam was a great thing to have because I had no electricity or running water. I would make white rice and use canned vegetables along with a half can of Spam to make reservation fried rice. Spam is still one of my favorite comfort foods. ❤❤

[@Wings012]

From Malaysia here, I love Spam. Though not Spam specifically, there's many brands of what we call luncheon meat and Spam is just one of them. But they are all fairly similar. I like just dipping it in egg and frying it, then having it with instant noodles. It's also a common side dish at mixed rice shops(basically a cheap place where you get some rice and pick from a variety of side dishes and are charged based on what you take) here.

[@Sackmatters]

Eating hormel sausage and hash with eggs as I’m watching this. Every time I visit Hawaii there are SO many spam dishes it’s incredible. Born and raised Alaskan and spam is a very popular alternative as well.

[@Dazzwidd]

Maybe Hormel should approach Hawaii and offer them free Spam to rename the island Hormel island 😅

[@abcsandoval]

Can t wait to get off this diet. That bkfst is the first thing I. Going for!

[@Troy-y5b]

You must be military. I was also born in Alaska and lived in Oahu

[@AnthonyOMulligan-yv9cg]

Enjoy!...... I've just diced and fried a can of spam (makes it crunchy!) and then made a spam, mushroom, onion and tomato omelette. Yum.

[@NormalPerson053]

A real self made man. Respect.

[@schmuelsonsradang4301]

Every time I buy this canned food I never stop praising and wish the family that created this awesome food on almost every family's tables worldwide.

[@vinaymulukutla358]

It is produced in Denmark for the European Market. I think it's quite nice, it's definitely not the first choice of food i'd eat but sometimes it makes for a quick and easy lunch. I like the one with bacon and the other with black pepper. Definitely not nearly as disgusting as it is made out to be by some, I mean it saved millions of civilians and soldiers from starvation.

[@sue7014]

Yes I ate spam under the name of Tulip from Denmark as a child. Usually packed as sandwiches for lunch during school break

[@rosewhite---]

@@sue7014 Tulip rings a bell from 1970s?

[@markissboi3583]

Australia vic country town met a man at a local fishing lake day out comp who 22yrs ago was canning Carp with sauce & selling to germany in a sardine tins

[@kozamo9351]

As a Filipino I have to thank this man for making my fav Filipino breakfast.

[@stefanwolf8558]

I'm from the Philippines and Spam has gained a reputation for being a rich person's food item because only a few families could afford it post WWII. It was also one of the most popular imports from Pinoys overseas so it's ingrained in our psyche that Spam is cool and it's a high end dish.

[@krisb-travel]

Its sad that Philippines is sooo poor that SPAM, the unwanted meat, is only for the wealthier. Its meant to be poverty food, food for people who can not afford real food

[@stefanwolf8558]

@@krisb-travel Yup, a can of spam here is more expensive than a kilo of real chicken.

[@krisb-travel]

@@stefanwolf8558 question is, why? Whats causing the such high price of spam in the philippines?

[@pepermayde]

@@krisb-travel because pinoys are crazy for imported foods, they think if you eat foreign foods you're rich which is absurd.

[@stefanwolf8558]

@@krisb-travel I don't know the exact cause but if I were to guess, it's probably because of import taxes.

[@dannybucks9133]

Actually lot of modern technological breakthroughs were invented during the wars or for military usage. Hard times require Hard measures. Thanks for the cool video, Moon!

[@dannybucks9133]

Hm...

[@ykkaustin2000]

Hm hake bucks

[@josephgaviota]

My dad was in the Korean Conflict, and he worked in the kitchens, and they made a LOT of SPAM he told me (God rest his soul).

[@GigMaresh]

Driving OTR in a BigTruck 3 things ALWAYS in the cab with you. 5 gallons of fresh water in gallon jugs. A roll of toilet paper. A couple of cans of Spam. Waiting for the plows to clear the road can run into days. 1 can of spam will keep you alive for 2 days

[@gheerock4077]

My life revolves around SPAM. When I was a kid in the Philippines, my family consumed SPAM in a daily basis 24/7. Now, 40 years later, I'm still consuming SPAM, 3x/week. SPAM is part of my life and Cant live without it.

[@JasonweedQ3]

😂 I love it too. I have to get the less sodium now cause it's give me a headache sometimes but it is good haha.

[@tigergray1100]

@@JasonweedQ3 high blood pressure high cholesterol 😂

[@tigergray1100]

@@JasonweedQ3 I agree

[@nitrosnw]

that’s why y’all’s cholesterol is through the roof. 😂

[@sheilagravely5621]

I'm curious, how's your blood pressure?

[@ricktalbott9611]

I never had SPAM until I was in my mid 20's and my wife made it for me for breakfast with eggs one morning. I was like no way am I eating this, but once I had a nibble I found out it is great ! I'm 60 now and I want to make spam fried rice for her pretty soon. She doesn't like rice but the spam will help there too !

[@yeericky]

spam fried rice is a secret no one knows about

[@CoSmicGoesRacing]

@@yeericky wdym secret? Spam is a staple ingredient in different styles of fried rice. It’s just not the same without it. It works well.

[@JacobRomans-t1f]

Imagine a great meat like pork shoulder being considered 'worthless cut of meat'!

[@dennisjamieson3328]

My Mother also would buy Prem which was similar to Spam. Would would have it for breakfast with eggs potatoes and toasted bread. I still use Spam to this day and I’m over 80. Thks for this interesting story.

[@joebidens_touchyhands9477]

You're nuts to eat Spam.

[@ujjwalkumar2199]

@@joebidens_touchyhands9477 says the person with a nft pfp

[@joebidens_touchyhands9477]

@@ujjwalkumar2199 Having an NFT profile pic won't give me cancer you doofis 🤡 😂🤣 Goodbyeeee

[@matts9371]

@@joebidens_touchyhands9477 what's wrong with spam?

[@joebidens_touchyhands9477]

@@matts9371 It's processed meat. Do I really need to go further than that???? 🤔

[@petergarcia8225]

Wow, makes you thankful for just something as little but a huge break thru as Spam. Imagine living like that in the Great Depression. How did humanity survive thru it.... without it starvation would have been endless.

[@crypton_8l87]

They survived coz they gorged on unwanted pork. consider this animal the heart from which can be TRANSPLANTED into the human. How close would that make the pig? Second cousin. Now eat body parts from that what does it give you? 😋 🐖 🐷 🐽

[@jessietovar9921]

In South Texas, we dice it up and mix it with diced cactus with chili Pequín, red pepper, black pepper, a little garlic and mix it with scrambled eggs!!! Mmmmmm

[@Kathi-wc3ix]

Well, sure cover up the actual taste of the spam🎉❤

[@bobanderson6656]

My DIL is Korean. You would not believe the shelf space in Korean stores devoted to Spam and similar products. When my son and DIL first came back from Korea, they lived with us. Our DIL cooked a lot and we had a lot of Korean food. One really cold day, I was outside all day working; came home tired, cold and extremely hungry. Our DIL cooked dinner that night. She made a delicious dish primarily of rice and some kind of meat. Delicious - filled and warmed me. It was so good, I dug into the trash to see what it was she had prepared..... by now you've all guessed it was Spam and white rice.

[@JohannGambolputty22]

I never had Spam until I moved to Hawaii. Right after I got there out of curiosity I bought a can and sliced and fried it. I didn’t like it at first that way. It’s way too salty and a little strange on texture but loved it as an ingredient in other foods. Spam fried rice is soooo good! Spam Saimin, Spam Musubi, it’s all great. Again it has to be part of the meal. I think mainlanders would appreciate it more if they would try consuming it that way.

[@TheCaptainSplatter]

I prefer it cold.

[@JohannGambolputty22]

@@TheCaptainSplatter Right on. Kinda like a ham cold cut. What do you eat it with?

[@ayshaaaaaaaaaaa]

@@JohannGambolputty22 dip it in omelette fry it until brown and eat it w rice

[@007thematrix007]

spam eaten t'gether w/ other foods mixed in is great, but ... in and of itself right off the can is def. salty so combined w/ other foods the saltiness is diffused and tastes great!

[@debraboyea7776]

Do you have a recipe for Spam fried rice?

[@whatsreal7506]

This is excellent content. Lots of memories for this 60-something

[@blueenglishstaffybreeder6956]

Grew up on spam here in Australia, still love it to this day

[@masonjarhillbilly]

I made and canned up 11 pints of SPAM last weekend for the first time. I got lucky. It came out spot on. I made 15 lbs. It costed about $25 to make. I used pork shoulder and some cheap pork tenderloin I cured just like you would sugar cure a ham. SPAM is great, but you have to do something with it besides just open the can. I am grilling some this weekend and will be using home made Blackberry BBQ sauce.

[@janna9735]

Can I come too? I'll bring the coleslaw!

[@briang7392]

I grew up poor in the hollers of WV and definitely had spam from time to time. Thankfully life is a little better now but I still have spam once in a while to reminisce and because of the taste I developed.

[@arnowisp6244]

Fun Fact: Spam one has pork, salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrite. Only six ingredients. Compare that to Luncheon meat Brands.

[@kght222]

yeah, people seem to think it is made from all sorts of nasty stuff, but it is actually one of the least processed foods on the canned meat shelves at the supermarket.

[@spectralknights2]

That's what you know.

[@kght222]

@@spectralknights2 well.... it would be extremely illegal for that ingredient list to be incorrect so if you can prove otherwise i would recommend that you sue them, might get a payday.

[@victordesouza5604]

@@kght222 except that sodium nitrite is carcinogen chemical and "pork" is not specifying what parts of the pork are being used.

[@kght222]

@@victordesouza5604 sodium nitrite doesn't stop folk from eating corned beef, and i'm not particularly concerned what parts of the pig they use. it is still pig.

[@socomxx]

This guy probably saved millions of lives with SPAM.

[@starfox8006]

Not probably, he did

[@TheSilentWalkerz]

He did save millions lol

[@rmp7400]

​@@TheSilentWalkerz Personally, I would not demean that beautiful miracle with dismissive laughter.

[@danfield6030]

Actually it lead to many deaths with the poisonous salt levels

[@danfield6030]

​@rmp7400 OK, Karen ...SPAM is extremely unhealthy. Check the salt levels. Eat 2 cans of SPAM a day for 4 months and I bet you won't be alive

[@itsmesteve1081]

I will never forget the first time I had spam. My cousin was cooking some in our grandma's kitchen and he asked if I wanted some. I said sure. It smelled so freaking good. Mouth watering good. He didn't cook it too complicated either. He sliced it up length wise, about 2 centimeters thick. When it was finished he told me to eat it with rice and sriracha sauce. Omfg it was so good

[@youjuhwan9697]

Spam and Rice are ridiculously good combination!!!

[@magiccarp3710]

Thats not good

[@thebravegallade731]

​@@magiccarp3710 There is a reason spam is sold like crazy in asia, spam+rice is a stupidly good combo

[@tolson57]

Well researched and well presented. Thank you.

[@c.l.9344]

Love these testimonies, so inspiring.

[@carlomanhattan4627]

they should hold a Guiness of World records as a swiss knife of food. They saved millions from war or great deppression. Though theyre no longer cheap right now in our country they still hold a reputation

[@franklyngisultura7506]

Although, I was introduced to SPAM as when I was a kid since its kind of expensive here in the Philippines and it was a one of the souvenirs. But yes there is Spamsilog- combination of Spam, sinangag (fried rice), itlog na prito (fried egg or the sunny side up). Although, there were alternatives here, like canned beef loaf and meat loaf which were much cheaper, but I never know that SPAM was the original canned meat.

[@dcotai2902]

... Spam and Sodium loads.. Omg

[@zhirotic]

@@dcotai2902 there's a less sodium version

[@ernestjorda2777]

@@dcotai2902 it's necessary for prolonging shelf life, hence the need to eat it sparingly.

[@ChrisTian-sd5yq]

Spam is for rich, luncheon meat/maling for poor

[@gideon5942]

maling is our local version

[@gladegoodrich2297]

I always keep several cans under the back seat of my truck for emergencies. I know that it will always be there because none of my friends will eat it. I actually like it!

[@MarkBrennan]

When I was at school in the 1960s & 1970s here in the UK, a weekly staple was spam fritters with chips (fries) and baked beans. It was a favourite with kids. I don't really like it now but buy a can every few years for nostalgia.

[@Georninja]

Maybe that's where the term "Spam messages" came from. People back then kept receiving cans of spam and grew tired of it. Just like how people today receive so much junk mail and got tired of that.

[@jimattrill8933]

No it comes from the Monty Python Spam skit with Vikings (!) coming down in a cheap cafe and a woman who doesn't want any spam. All the food was spam based.

[@robmontier3770]

@@jimattrill8933 Spam, egg, spam, sausage, spam, spam, spam spam and spam!

[@stacyrussell460]

Love Spam! I grew up eating it. I remember the cans had to be opened using a small key attached to each can. My Dad used to save some of those keys for some reason. Now cans have pull tops.

[@tmo.48]

He probably saved back some keys because there were times when you'd get your groceries home and some can would be missing it's key. I remember having a can of something and the key was missing-- got knocked off during handling possibly.

[@thomaswebber8288]

Well done....already knew the story this presentation was spot on.

[@sloo6425]

You know you have success, when there are imitations. Love it BTW.

[@jackedkerouac4414]

Didn’t expect such an inspiring tale of grit and perseverance

[@paulpaul5606]

I’ve eat spam all my life and will do so for the rest of my life I love it. thank you🇬🇧

[@raybaker8726]

Growing up we didnt have alot of money. Spam was a staple. To this day I still eat Spam. Spam grilled cheese with onions is awesome. The Turkey version is good to

[@Zixivyxity]

Spam is one of my sister's most loved food. I don't blame her.

[@chilliecheesecake]

My whole family thinks I'm crazy for how much I love spam. I say so much the better, cuz that leaves more for me 😋

[@rogerroth7782]

I happened to buy a can of Spam today. I have been noticing the introduction of the new flavors. It is a staple for me and interesting to learn how others use it.

[@MrAudioBill]

I'm a retired Army Mess Sergeant. During field training, we were issued "luncheon meat," (Spam,) in 5 lb tins. The German locals working on base coveted it. Odd, since I considered local meat products suppior to American fare.

[@pjsretrogamesmusicandwrass5795]

If I'm broke and can't afford ground beef, I crumble spam, fry it and mix in with spaghetti..Love it

[@Lumberzach83]

very interesting history of our most loved and hated meat, thank you for the vid

[@thebenwilbert]

2 months later, the legend has returned

[@dongilleo9743]

In the movie "Battleground (1949)" there's a scene featuring SPAM. American soldiers surrounded at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge are running desperately low on supplies, especially ammunition and food. Just when things are looking most grim and desperate, the skies clear and American transport planes are overhead dropping supplies by parachute. As the bundles land, the American soldiers eagerly descend upon them like kids opening presents on Christmas morning. One bundle is found to be filled with K rations. "All dinners", one soldier grumbles. Another soldier hastily opens a bundle and spills it's contents onto the ground. It's nothing but cans of SPAM. No one says anything. There's a silent pause as the soldiers all share knowing looks of despair, disgust and disappointment. When this movie came out just four years after the end of WW2, I can imagine countless veterans sitting in theaters all groaning in sympathy with their on screen portrayers.

[@sidneyrodrigues728]

Thin sliced and fried well done. Served with two fried eggs and white steamed rice. Bam! Instant breakfast!

[@shadecraft9394]

Yesterday I ate a Musubi In Hawaii Today I ate Spam, Hashbrown, And Eggs Hawaii Life is awesome I never get tired of it

[@marifearanacatral5803]

I love SPAM since my childhood and mostly my family always buy in the groceries store and every occasion like Christmas and holidays or fiesta always presents in the table of every Pilipino's family 👪

[@michaelgautreaux3168]

Still a Big fan of spam! Have to watch intake w/ "Rigor Mortis" looming...😂😂. GR8 product 👍👍

[@adobotravels]

If you ever visit the Pacific Islands, spam is more common then McDonald’s lol Hafa Adai from Guam!

[@AngryDigitalNerd]

My ex recommended me spam and eggs, I tried it and I don't regret anything.

[@geekhillbilly2636]

I keep 4 or 5 cans of Spam handy. Really came in handy duing the disastrous July 2022 floods in Eastern Kentucky when we had no electric power for months.

[@amandas7124]

I pick this nasty stuff up for my neighbor ever so often. Funny, it should be cheap but it's ridiculously over priced these days.

[@TheCaptainSplatter]

So true. Its gotten pricey now

[@sol-leksthewolf5854]

Spam has a great taste when refrigerated, but if you let it sit too long in the fridge after opening it, the salt content makes it so that you can barely taste anything else.

[@richardcline1337]

What you can do is slice the meat then boil it. Rinse it in fresh cold water, pat it dry and the salt will be greatly reduced.

[@jjock3239]

Going back to when I was a kid in the late 40s, I remember learning the expression, that Hormel, processed everything on the pig but the oink. Interesting story, thanks

[@TolyTheTolerBear]

This guy is hero and saint in the Philippines- God bless you, sir!!!😇😇😇

[@hiyukelavie2396]

"When are you going to work at something you can show me in 30 years" Let that sink in. 30 years These days most people give up when they don't begin to see success in 3 months Chasing after instant gratification has really ruined people these days

[@dpt6849]

People are being sacked as easily by managers based on 'I don't like you'.

[@jorgegarcia3358]

True dat

[@normatible9795]

Spam is like a legend/icon food. I always bring them home to my home country Philippines from US, give each relative a can ( lots of relatives ) . It’s like they have a taste of 🇺🇸

[@KLUNKET]

I remember when I was growing up, my father got laid off from his job at Mine Safety Appliance. We ate A LOT of spam as it was cheap. My mother came up with many ways to serve it, she would make a spamburger, slice it thin and serve it fried with eggs, chop it up and mix with mayo and some onion and pickle and make spam salad sandwiches. You name a creative way to use spam and she did it! My favorite though was a casserole, back in those days the government used to give out these giant blocks of cheese, my mother would make a cheesy spam and potato casserole that was really good... BUT, we ate it so much that I've never been able to eat spam again since!! I suppose I would try it again if someone made my moms casserole, just for the nostalgia!

[@holton345]

I love SPAM. I had some in my breakfast this morning. Three scrambled eggs with diced onion, fried SPAM, and cheese, alongside some hot, fresh biscuits and gravy, fresh OJ, and piping hot coffee. Mmmmmm…

[@tmo.48]

You a bodybuilder?