Cycle 15 – Item 214

6 (Tue) August 2024

AHQFGT Lima Mike Lima

2.5

by me

at home

-Changgok, Sujeong, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea-

solo

Canned Corned Beef is an American food product.  As the name would suggest, it was made to emulate corned beef – a dish, possibly of English origin, in which a whole cut of beef is cured with salt and nitrates (usually brisket these days, but historically anything would do).  However, the canned version neither looks nor tastes anything like the real deal, instead comprising cheap cuts of beef, minced and mixed with various preservatives and seasonings, resulting in a loose meat mash.  Also known as “bully beef” in some countries.  Invented by Libby, McNeill & Libby in 1869.  Long before SPAM came on to the scene in 1937, canned corned beef had been a staple for American soldiers on the battlefield.

On Wikipedia:

Corned beef, especially the Libby’s brand, first became popular among the wealthy as a luxury food during the American colonial period of the Philippines (1901–1941).  Advertised serving the corned beef cold and straight-from-the-can onto a bed of rice, or as patties in between bread. During World War II, American soldiers brought it for themselves and airdropped from the skies.

For reasons that I don’t care to know, the  company now goes by the tradename “Libby’s” in most markets.  Though apparently “Libby, McNeill & Libby” is still a thing in Brazil, where, according to Wikipedia: “approximately 80% of the global canned corned beef supply originates.

This can was among the items that we’d brought over from the Philippines upon our return in 2020.  However, other than occasional breakfasts in the WPRO cafeteria (see for example 10.152 Corned Beef + Fried Egg + Garlic Rice), I’d never eaten it at home, so I can’t recall why I’d bought it or bothered to bring it back with us.

(See all HANSIK)

(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)