Pumpkin Spice Spam is a limited edition variety of Spam produced by Hormel Foods. It was released online on 23 September 2019, the first day of autumn.[1][2][3] Spam is one of many brands to release pumpkin spice products for the autumn season, and is not the first meat product to be pumpkin spice flavored.[4][1]
History
In October 2017, Spam shared a picture of Pumpkin Spice Spam on their Facebook page and noted that it was not a real product they were selling.[5][6] The post went viral, and many Facebook users commented with interest in the fake product. Spam's official Facebook account responded that, "We think it's great that you'd like to see this product! Unfortunately this variety is only a joke, so it cannot be found anywhere."[7][8] Two years later, in August 2019, Spam announced they were producing a legitimate limited edition Pumpkin Spice product for the autumn season.[4][9]
Distribution
The product was only available online at Spam's website and Walmart.com in two-can packs.[3][10] Some food critics were sent cans of the product before the release date.[11] In less than seven hours on the day of release, the Spam had sold out.[12] Pumpkin Spice Spam has not been sold since 2019.[13]
Ingredients
The Spam is mixed with allspice, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg to gain its Pumpkin Spice flavor.[2][14] Spam representatives stated that they recommend pairing it with other dishes, such as waffles, cornbread, panini, frittatas, or vegetable hash.[11][15] Similar to many other pumpkin spice products, there is no pumpkin in the food.[16]
Reception
Multiple people and groups, mostly food critics, received the product prior to its public release. Most reviewers stated that the product is better when combined with other items as well as that it is more suited as a breakfast food than traditional Spam. The Daily Meal called it "one of the more peculiar pumpkin spice products on the market" and that "the flavor really wasn't bad".[11] Food & Wine was also sent a can, noting that "Pumpkin Spice Spam certainly seems to err on the side of a breakfast food, and could easily be slathered in maple syrup as you might with breakfast sausage."[17] A contributor to the New York Post, who did not receive the product, referred to it as Spam's "own demented take on everybody's favorite orange gourd."[7]
Further reading
External links
- Pumpkin Spice Spam on spam.com
References
- Michael Hollan. Fry up some Pumpkin Spice Spam to celebrate the fall season Fox News, August 15, 2019, retrieved August 28, 2019^
- Yum or yuck? Pumpkin spice spam is coming WJW (TV), August 15, 2019, retrieved August 28, 2019^
- Claudia Harmata. Brace Yourselves: Pumpkin Spice Spam Is Coming This Fall People, August 15, 2019, retrieved August 28, 2019^
- Alex Johnson. Autumn is coming, so of course Pumpkin Spice Spam is, too NBC News, August 14, 2019, retrieved August 28, 2019^
- Erika Nicole Kendall. Opinion | Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte is back, as is every processed pumpkin atrocity NBC News, August 27, 2019, retrieved August 28, 2019^
- SPAM Hormel Foods, October 1, 2017, retrieved August 28, 2019^
- Lauren Steussy. The absurd 'pumpkin spice' craze is officially dead thanks to Spam New York Post, August 14, 2019, retrieved August 28, 2019^
- Gael Fashingbauer Cooper. Pumpkin spice Spam is coming, and people are out of their gourds CNET, August 15, 2019, retrieved August 28, 2019^
- Dominick Suzanne-Mayer. It's Pumpkin Spice Spam season, motherfuckers The Takeout, August 16, 2019, retrieved August 28, 2019^
- Michael Hollan. Pumpkin Spice-flavored Spam sells out in hours, may never come back Fox News, 2019-09-24, retrieved 2021-04-14^
- Dan Myers. Pumpkin Spice Spam exists, and we tried it The Daily Meal, August 13, 2019, retrieved August 28, 2019^
- Kristen Painter. So you wanted some Pumpkin Spice Spam? Too late. Star Tribune, September 23, 2019, retrieved September 23, 2019^
- Endia Fontanez. Forget lattes, Arizonans are obsessed with Pumpkin Spice Spam. What's going on? azcentral., retrieved 21 October 2023^
- Rachel Sandler. Yes, Pumpkin Spice Spam Is Real (And It's Reportedly Pretty Good) Forbes, retrieved 2021-04-14^
- Scottie Andrew. Pumpkin Spice Spam is coming, and you know what? It sounds pretty good CNN, August 15, 2019, retrieved August 28, 2019^
- Erica Chayes Wida. Pumpkin Spice Spam is coming soon to Walmart Today, August 15, 2019, retrieved August 28, 2019^
- Adam Campbell-Schmitt. Pumpkin Spice Spam Is Real and We Tried It Food & Wine, August 15, 2019, retrieved August 28, 2019^