What Exactly is in Fareway’s Famous Ham Loaf?

Fareway’s ham loaf is a beloved deli item for many who shop at the popular Midwest grocery store chain. With its soft texture smoky ham flavor, and sweet glaze topping it’s easy to see why Fareway’s ham loaf has earned such a loyal following. But have you ever wondered exactly what goes into this tasty luncheon meat? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and find out what makes Fareway’s ham loaf so delicious.

A Straightforward Combination of Ham and Pork

The main ingredient in Fareway’s ham loaf is, unsurprisingly, ham. Specifically, the deli item contains a mix of smoked ham and pork shoulder. The pork shoulder provides fat and collagen that gives the loaf a soft, tender texture when cooked. The ham delivers big smoked pork flavor.

Fareway doesn’t disclose the exact ratio of ham to pork shoulder in their proprietary blend. But based on the ingredients list, ham appears to be the primary component. The two meats are ground together into a smooth mixture for making the loaf.

Savory Seasonings for Flavor

While ham and pork make up the bulk of Fareway’s ham loaf, seasonings are added to boost the flavor According to the ingredients label, these include

• Salt
• Sugar
• Spices
• Natural flavors

The salt not only seasons the meat, but also acts as a preservative and binder to help the loaf hold together. Sugar adds subtle sweetness that complements the smoky pork flavors. Spices like black pepper, mustard, and thyme likely provide savory aromas. Natural flavors enhance the tasted.

Overall, the seasonings punctuate and round out the flavors of the core ham and pork mixture. They provide nuance that builds a more complex, appetizing deli meat.

Corn Syrup and Nitrites for Moistness and Color

A few other ingredients help achieve the right moisture level and color in Fareway’s ham loaf. These include corn syrup and sodium nitrite.

Corn syrup performs a couple functions. First, it acts as a humectant to keep the loaf soft and moist. Corn syrup also contributes sweetness to balance the saltiness.

Sodium nitrite has preserving and color-fixing properties. It inhibits bacteria growth and sets the pinkish-red color that consumers expect from cured meats like ham loaf. Nitrites also affect the taste, introducing a mildly salty, earthy flavor.

So while they aren’t main ingredients, the corn syrup and sodium nitrite play key supporting roles in the final product.

A Sweet, Sticky Glaze Adds Finishing Flavor

What really sets Fareway’s ham loaf apart is the brown sugar glaze brushed on top. According to the ingredients label, the glaze contains:

• Brown sugar
• Corn syrup
• Water
• Natural flavors

When heated, these simple components meld into a sweet, sticky syrup. The brown sugar provides a rich caramelized taste, while the corn syrup contributes body and sheen. Water allows the glaze to brush on smoothly. And natural flavors reinforce the sweetness.

As a final touch, browning the cooked ham loaf under a broiler caramelizes the glaze into a crispy, candylike topping. This adds both texture and flavor contrast to the sliceable luncheon meat.

A Straightforward Deli Meat Made Better with Attention to Detail

At first glance, Fareway’s ham loaf appears to be a basic combination of cured ham, pork, and seasonings. But simple doesn’t necessarily mean boring or one-note. The choice of quality ingredients, balance of flavors, and added glaze elevate the classic cold cut into something special.

It’s the little details that count when crafting a great luncheon meat. Fareway pays careful attention to selecting the right meats, spices, and other components that will work together to create the ideal texture and taste. Their commitment to excellence is why fans excitedly grab this refrigerated staple off the deli shelf.

So next time you assemble sandwiches for lunch or gather charcuterie for an appetizer board, remember Fareway’s beloved ham loaf. It may seem humble, but those simple ingredients meld into something satisfyingly flavorful. The tasty deli meat pleases palates thanks to its well-executed balance of smoky pork, savory spices, and sweet, brown sugar glaze.