what ham does subway use

Demystifying Subway’s Signature Ham: The Origins of Their Delicious Deli Meat

As a frequent Subway customer, I’ve always wondered – where exactly does their ham come from? That tasty sliced meat is a cornerstone of Subway’s sandwiches, adding flavor to customer favorites like the Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki and the Italian B.M.T. But what’s the story behind Subway’s signature deli ham offering?

In this article we’ll explore the mysterious origins of Subway’s ham and learn about the suppliers processing, and quality standards that go into crafting their distinct deli meat flavor. Read on to get the inside scoop on one of Subway’s most iconic sandwich ingredients.

Introducing Subway’s Ham Selection

Subway uses sliced ham in a variety ofsubs. Their ham varieties include:

• Black Forest Ham – Subway’s original smoked ham with a distinctive flavor It’s used in the Black Forest Ham sandwich.

• Honey Maple Ham – A ham glazed with honey and maple for a sweet flavor profile.

• Rotisserie-Style Chicken Ham – Shredded chicken blended with ham for a hybrid taste.

• Smokehouse Ham – A seasonal/regional ham with an extra smoky taste.

While the flavors differ slightly, Subway’s hams all share a similar thinly sliced, tender texture perfect for subs. But where does this deli meat actually come from?

Sources of Subway’s Signature Ham

Subway obtains their distinct ham products from major commercial suppliers like Land O’Frost, Columbus, and Bibigo. According to Subway’s website, their ham starts from cured and smoked pork leg that is then steam-cooked. This aligns with traditional deli ham production.

Here are some key facts about Subway’s main ham suppliers:

• Land O’Frost – An iconic American brand that produces a significant amount of Subway’s ham in Illinois.

• Columbus – An Italian deli meat company that makes some of Subway’s hybrid chicken hams. They also have facilities in Illinois.

• Bibigo – A South Korean company that supplies Subway’s teriyaki chicken and steak. Their ham comes from China.

So while sourced globally, much of Subway’s ham is processed domestically before being distributed to Subway locations.

Why Subway Uses Higher Quality Ham

In the world of deli meats, not all ham is made equal. Subway pride’s itself on using premium quality ham. According to Subway’s R&D head, their ham is “a higher quality, premium deli meat with no extenders.”

Here are some of the reasons Subway selects better ham:

• Flavor – Higher quality ham has a richer, smokier taste than cheaper versions.

• Texture – Premium ham has a softer, more tender mouthfeel when sliced.

• Appearance – Subway’s ham has a vibrant pink color vs. the grey tones of lesser quality ham.

• Nutrition – Premium ham often has less fat, salt and preservatives.

• Brand – Quality ingredients reinforce Subway’s image as a healthier fast food option.

While more expensive than generic deli ham, Subway’s ham provides the taste and texture customers crave.

How Subway’s Ham Gets from Supplier to Sandwich

To maintain consistency across 20,000+ locations, Subway has a thorough supply chain process for ham:

• Sourcing – Subway places regular ham orders with approved major suppliers.

• Processing – Suppliers cure, smoke, and cook raw pork leg into deli ham.

• Slicing – Ham is sliced paper thin for easier sandwich prep.

• Packing – Sliced ham is sealed in plastic bags and boxes for distribution.

• Distribution – Boxed ham shipments are sent from supplier warehouses to Subway locations.

• On-site Prep – Employees open ham bags and store sliced meat in coolers.

• Sandwich Assembly – Ham is layered onto bread during sandwich prep.

This streamlined system quickly brings freshly sliced ham from plant to sandwich.

How Subway Grades Ham for Quality

Subway holds its ham to high standards using criteria like:

• Color – Ham should have a natural pink hue without discoloration.

• Marbling – A mix of fat and meat results in desirable marbling.

• Texture – Ham should be tender and easy to slice.

• Moisture – Higher moisture means better sliceability.

• Smoke Flavor – A rich, genuine smoke flavor is ideal.

• Off Flavors – No sour, bitter or metallic tastes that suggest spoilage.

Grading against these metrics helps Subway achieve excellent ham taste and quality control.

Special Handling for Subway’s Glazed Hams

In addition to regular ham, Subway also offers two glazed hams – Honey Maple and Brown Sugar glaze (seasonal). These require extra preparation steps.

After initial curing and smoking, the glazing process includes:

• Glaze Mixing – Unique sweet glaze recipes are prepared with ingredients like honey and maple syrup.

• Glaze Application – Hams are submerged in or repeatedly brushed with glaze to coat.

• Drying – Wet glazed hams are dried so the glaze sticks properly.

• Final Cook – Cooking helps caramelize the glaze and intensify flavors.

The hams are then chilled, sliced, packaged and shipped out to Subway. The glazing and cooking adds flavor and texture.

The History of Ham at Subway

Ham has been a key part of Subway’s menu since its start in 1965. According to Subway historians, founder Fred DeLuca leaned on ham because he loved the taste.

While Subway’s recipes have evolved over 50+ years, ham has remained a constant. Even as new meats like oven-roasted chicken and rotisserie turkey were added, ham stayed as Subway’s most popular sandwich protein.

In the 1990s, the original Black Forest Ham sandwich was introduced. This signature smoked ham became synonymous with the Subway brand. Later ham varieties like Honey Maple kept options fresh.

Today, ham is still the #1 meat topping at Subway. While preferences change, generations of fans continue to crave Subway’s iconic ham flavors in their favorite sandwiches.

The Next Time You’re at Subway…

So the next time you pass a Subway, you can better appreciate the care behind their ham. From sourcing and curing to slicing and shipping, it takes skilled work to craft deli meat this tasty. Even after 50+ years, ham remains the heart of Subway’s sandwich menu.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m suddenly craving a Meatball Marinara on Honey Maple Ham. The ham flavors at Subway never disappoint!