Dealing with the high prices of some ingredients is a common issue for chefs. Things that were available for cheap are now much more expensive in most cases, which ruins a lot of people’s love for cooking. That said, one of the most common questions that people have recently been asking is why Spam is expensive.
If you are also wondering this, then going through this article should help you in finding a few reasons for it. We’ll be going through the biggest reasons in complete detail, along with additional information that you might find helpful.
Why Is Spam So Expensive?
- Spam Is Processed
Spam is one of the most famous brands of canned pork that is made by the famous company Hormel Foods Corporation. This has been rising in popularity ever since the product came out. Additionally, you should note that the pork provided inside the cans is already cooked. This allows people to consume it straight out of the container without having to go through any hassle.
Keeping this in mind, you should note that one issue with the product is its high price. However, there are several reasons why that is the case. When manufacturing the cans, Hormel Foods Corporation has to go through several steps before the product is ready. This includes cooking the pork and ham before both of them are combined.
Additionally, spices and herbs are used to season the meat before it is placed inside the cans. All of the hassle that the brand has to go through before these are available in markets, show up on the price tags. You should always remember that one of the main reasons for a product like this to be so expensive is because the manufacturers decide the prices for them.
- Shelf Life
One of the main reasons why Spam is so famous is because it is a canned type of product. The main benefit that people get when purchasing these items is that they can last a long time. If you are someone who enjoys traveling or can’t cook for yourself due to some reason. Then keeping a few cans of Spam stored in your house can be a lifesaver.
The only thing that you have to do is open up the can and heat the pork inside it before eating. This will help you in feeling full without having to go through any trouble making a dish for yourself. Other than this, the cans also have a long shelf life which can range from 2 to even 5 years. This can be amazing but there are also some things to keep in mind.
Depending on how you keep the can stored, it might start going bad sooner than the time reported. This is why you must store the products in a safe environment and temperature recommended by the brand. This should help the cans in lasting you a long time without any further issues. The long shelf life for these cans is another reason why these are so expensive.
- Using It as An Ingredient
Spam is quite an old product that people have been using for a long time now. Although, you will notice that this was originally used as a main dish. However, with time, the brand started losing its sales which is why they decided to change the advertising for their product.
Nowadays, you will notice that Spam is sold as an ingredient instead of being a simple dish. Considering this, you can make sandwiches, burgers, and even salads using a can of Spam. There are numerous dishes that this product can be used in which makes it even better. But, the truth is that this was nearly always the case, and nothing other than the advertising has changed.
Despite that, the prices have increased because of the various uses Spam is now popular for. On top of all this, the brand name associated with the meat also plays a huge role in its price is so high. Luckily, there are other options that you can use instead. Whether or not you want to try these different options instead of paying the high price for Spam is up to you.
