Corned Beef Kenya & More About This Product

Corned Beef Hash Origin: Where Did Corned Beef Hash Originate From?

There’s isn’t one simple answer to this question, so let’s begin with what hash is in general and where it came from.

Hash, a dish consisting of chopped meat, potatoes, and fried onions, has its origins in the United Kingdom.

It was essentially a way to use up leftovers, and its name comes from the French verb hacher, which means to mince or chop up. Hash was being made in the UK as early as the 14^th century.

To answer the question ‘where did corned beef hash originate?’, we have to ask when the meat in hash began to be specifically corned beef.

Corned beef was a staple for British soldiers during World War I & World War II.

Corned Beed Hash

Due to a shortage of fresh meat during the war, corned beef also became popular back in the home countries of the Allied Forces.

It was not long, therefore, that corned beef began being used to make hash.

By World War II, canned corned beef was popular in the U.S., U.K., and in France.

Tinned Corned Beef/Corned Beef Kenya: KMC Corned Beef

Corned beef is produced in Kenya. One producer of corned beef in Kenya is Kenya Meat Commission.

Corned Beef Price in Kenya/Corned Meat Price

You can buy a tin of their corned beef for Ksh. 350 at their Nyama Haven stores in Athi River and on Ladhies Road.

KMC Meat Prices

Where Did Corned Beef Originate?

Tinned Corned Beef Hash Recipe

So are you wondering what meals you can make if you have a tin of corned beef? If so, click here for more ideas on that from AllRecipes.com.

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Excuse me, readers, but all the talk of baked beans with a recipe containing corned beef, has me thinking of yet another canned classic.

This time, let’s talk about corned beef Kenya.

A couple of days ago, as I thought about writing this post, I asked my youngest brother if he’d ever eaten corned beef.

Surprisingly, he told me that he had only ever heard about it but had never actually tasted it.

Could this be true? (Did we grow up in the same home?!) Is it possible that there are people out there who have never tasted corned beef?

I remember when I was first introduced to corned beef.

I was very young, possibly even before my baby brother was born (I am trying to believe him).

It was on a day when we’d gone grocery shopping as a family. My Dad picked up a tin of corned beef, seemingly very happy to have found it.

As soon as we got home, we unloaded the groceries. My Dad then grabbed some crackers and a plate and headed off to his favourite green armchair. 

Not about to miss out on whatever was making my Dad seem so happy, we, the kids were right behind him.

My father then carefully opened the can of corned beef (those cans can be lethal I tell you!). He spread some of the beef on a few crackers and gave each of us kids some to taste.

I liked it immediately!

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Later Experiences with Corned Beef

I don’t remember eating a lot of corned beef after that growing up.

My next vivid memory of corned beef was during my first year of university. A good friend always kept a stash in her room.

More recently, when I found myself rummaging through a good student-friend’s cupboard in search of ingredients to make a meal, I was once more reminded of corned beef when I ended up having a tasty corned beef sandwich. This corned beef was from Kenya.

With an adult’s mind, this time, I was a bit more inquisitive about what this product actually was.

What Is in Corned Beef?

The ingredients list on the label of the Heinz tin from which I got the corned beef read: cooked beef, beef, water, salt, sugar, and sodium nitrite, which I’ve since come to find out is a pretty typical list of ingredients for canned corned beef.

I also learned from the label that the corned beef I was eating was a product of Brazil which, along with Argentina, is one of the world’s largest producers of corned beef.

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Canned Meat Kenya/Canned Beef Kenya

Canned meat is not a popular product in Kenya, though it is readily available in most good supermarkets.

At most supermarkets in Kenya’s larger cities, you should be able to find not only corned beef on the shelf, but also canned sausages, tuna, sardines, and spam.

Where Does Corned Beef Originate From?

Through a quick search on the Internet (how did we live before the Internet?!), I found out that corned beef was a main staple for British solders during World War I, especially when troops found themselves separated from their supplies when in enemy territory.

Canned Corned Beef: The Reason Behind the Shape of a Corned Beef Tin

I also learned that the reason that corned beef is packed in the distinctively shaped container that it comes in is to enable the corned beef to slide out as one piece so that it can easily be sliced (I have to try that. I’ve never thought of slicing corned beef—I just scoop it out. 🙂 ).

READ ALSO: History of Corned Beef: From Irish Export to St. Patrick’s Favorite

How about when it comes to food and health? Typically, corned beef contains 12% fat and 2.3% salt, so basically it is not the healthiest food product.

Still, on occasion, I love me some corned beef.

Particularly, I love it the way my paternal aunt serves it: fried (and I don’t mean shallow fried) with onions as part of a sumptuous breakfast. I can never get enough!

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How do you like your corned beef (buy some on Amazon now)?

I can’t wait to hear all about it.

Biche

Photo Credits: Leaf, DefenseMediaNetwork, KVet