There are certain things that defy all explanations, at least initially. For most of us, the idea of eating food out of a can is more than we can bear.

That’s not to say that we don’t enjoy some canned foods every once in a while. They just wouldn’t be our idea of fine dining. SPAM definitely causes people to have some form of apprehension.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

It is easy to see why. If we had never tasted it before, we would not be daring to do so. It’s a tinned pork and ham product that is often derided for its appearance. If you have ever seen it before, you know exactly what we are talking about.

The name doesn’t help either, as it has now become a form of shorthand for e-mails that are unwanted. If you are someone who does not particularly enjoy or tolerate SPAM, you are in lockstep with most of the United States. On the other hand, there is one state, in particular, that enjoys these meals more than anyone. If you guessed Hawaii, you are 100 percent correct.

Photo: Pixabay/Tracey Pocock

Hormel, the company that is responsible for making SPAM, says that Hawaii’s appetite for this food is “unmatched by any place in the world.”

What’s the story here? It all began back in 1937. SPAM first got its start as a shelf-stable food that could be eaten by soldiers who had been dispatched all over the world during the Second World War. Once it made its way into homes across Hawaii, everyone soon discovered that it was a far more versatile dish than expected.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

In fact, Hawaiians began to pair it with rice on a regular basis. Whether you want to fry it, eat it in sandwich form, or have it straight out of the can, you are able to do so. With that in mind, we can see why so many people took to it.

Hawaii regards SPAM as an essential item for the pantry and there is simply no stigma around it. It’s enough to make you wonder if Americans would come around in the same way if they simply gave it a chance.