What is Taylor Ham and Why Does New Jersey Love It

People who live in New Jersey all their lives, and then move to states that don't even border the Garden State, are often in for a rude surprise. There's no Taylor ham.

Some people compare it to Canadian bacon, some say it's a richer cousin of Spam. Others say there is just no comparison. One thing is sure. Taylor ham is a staple of life in New Jersey. Go in any Jersey diner for breakfast and you will have your choice of eggs, any style, with bacon, sausage or Taylor ham. If you don't want eggs, you can have a Taylor ham sandwich on a hard roll, on toast, with pancakes, or any other way you can think of, with or without cheese.

For the uninitiated, Taylor ham is actually the brand name for pork roll. John Taylor invented the original Taylor ham in Trenton, New Jersey in the late 1800s. It does say pork roll on the ham package, but the prominence of the word Taylor is one reason why it has come to be known as such, at least in North Jersey. South Jerseyans tend to call it Taylor pork roll. Other companies came along and also made pork roll, but to a true New Jerseyan, North or South, these imitations are of little consequence: there is only one Taylor ham.

Taylor Provisions, Inc. sells Taylor ham in both 3 lb. and 6 lb. rolls, which you can cut up yourself. It is also available pre-sliced in 6 oz. boxes of 8 thin slices or 4 double slices. You can also buy it at most deli counters and have them slice up your Taylor ham. Most folks will agree that the thickness of the slice changes the taste somewhat. The company also markets a milder brand under the Trenton pork roll label.