The lines at your neighborhood McDonald’s will probably be a little longer next Friday when the “Island Tastes Menu” will include Hawaii’s unofficial state food: SPAM. The new breakfast platter will consist of two slices of SPAM, scrambled eggs and
The lines at your neighborhood McDonald’s will probably be a little longer next Friday when the “Island Tastes Menu” will include Hawaii’s unofficial state food: SPAM.
The new breakfast platter will consist of two slices of SPAM, scrambled eggs and rice. It won’t replace the Hawaii breakfast staple of Portuguese sausage, eggs and rice.
SPAM, eggs and rice will be served in all Hawaii McDonald’s for a limited time only, June 7 to Aug. 1 …but if tastebuds approve, it could become a permanent item.
“It’s pretty good, if you like SPAM,” said Romy Ramelb, Waipouli McDonald’s store manager.
Hawaii people do like their SPAM. Hawaii is the state that consumes the most SPAM per capita, according to Melanie Okazaki, McDonald’s of Hawaii marketing manager. Guam is actually first place in the world for SPAM consumption.
They’re trying to “personalize the Hawaii McDonald’s experience,” Okazaki said.
“SPAM is an island favorite and we were looking for a new product to introduce. It makes us unique.” It took about a year for SPAM to actually hit the grills at McDonald’s of Hawaii, according to Okazaki.
Some of the other local favorites on the McDonald’s of Hawaii Island Tastes Menu: Portuguese sausage, eggs and rice, fruit punch, saimin, teri burgers, plate lunches, honeydew melon shakes and pineapple pies.
SPAM Facts
– In 2002, Hormel Foods will produce its six-billionth can of SPAM.
– Hawaii, Alaska, Arkansas, Texas and Alabama consume the most SPAM in the United States. Of these states, Hawaii consumes the most per capita.
– Over 5.3 million cans are sold annually in Hawaii, about 5 cans per year per person (about 1 million people live in Hawaii).
– In the U.S., a can of SPAM luncheon meat is consumed every 3.1 seconds.
– Hormel Foods changed “HORMEL Spiced Ham” to the more catchy “SPAM” with a $100 contest in 1937.
– SPAM can dimensions: Height: 3.25″/ Width: 2″/ Length: 3.75″/ Weight: 0.75 lb
– Hormel Foods provided 15 million cans of SPAM luncheon meat to troops each week during World War II.
– The recipe for SPAM has not changed since 1937 when it was introduced.
SPAM information courtesy of Hormel Foods.
SPAM on the Internet: www.hormel.com, www.spam.com
Staff Writer Kendyce Manguchei can be reached at kmanguchei@ pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 252).
