Taylor Swift Just Solved A Century Old Sandwich Debate
The governor of New Jersey renamed the popular Taylor ham sandwich after Taylor Swift and made it the official state sandwich.
Taylor Swift has emerged as the central figure in an age-old New Jersey culinary dispute after Governor Phil Murphy officially named a sandwich after the iconic pop star. The politician declared the “Taylor Swift ham, egg, and cheese” the official state sandwich in honor of the singer bringing her Eras Tour to the MetLife Stadium on May 26.
“In New Jersey, we have a reputation for a great war between Taylor ham and pork roll,” Governor Murphy said in a social media video message via Deadline. “Usually, we let you call it what you want, but since we have a superstar coming to town, we know ‘All Too Well’ that we should commemorate the occasion,” he continued about the Taylor Swift sandwich.
As most foodies will know, the war between Taylor Ham and Pork Roll has nothing to do with the singer. Taylor ham, also known as pork roll, is a processed breakfast meat crafted from pork, seasoned with spices, salt, a sugar cure, and preservatives, which is smoked before being packaged. Historical accounts trace the origins of this ham back to the Battle of Trenton during the Civil War.
In 1856, long before the Taylor Swift sandwich existed, New Jersey businessman and state senator John Taylor produced a unique meat product called “Taylor’s Peppered Ham.” However, in 1906 the government determined that the delectable creation did not align with the official definition of ham. As a result, John Taylor renamed his product the Taylor Pork Roll.
A distinct regional divide emerged within the Garden State as the years passed. The residents of Northern New Jersey steadfastly referred to the sandwich as Taylor ham, while their counterparts in the Southern region preferred to call it pork roll. Presently, this versatile meat is available in both sliced and unsliced forms.
Along with the Taylor Swift sandwich, it is typically prepared by frying or grilling.
After a five-year hiatus from touring, Taylor Swift is back on stage with her Eras Tour, which kicked off on March 17, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. The tour supports all her albums, including her latest offering, Midnights. Each show boasts an approximate 44-song set list with tracks from all ten of her studio albums.
Every show also features a surprise song (or two) that Taylor Swift performs during a mini acoustic set. The Taylor Swift Eras Tour is a historically monumental event, breaking stadium records at nearly every stop, prompting New Jersey to name a sandwich after the superstar. More than two million tickets were purchased on the first day they were available, the most sold by any artist in a single day.
The tour also features themed sets and outfits representing notable moments in Taylor Swift’s catalog. Accompanied by dazzling visuals, the stage for the Eras Tour is an incredible mix of larger-than-life props, making each show a breathtaking experience for everyone in attendance. She was also made Mayor of Tampa, Florida for a day in honor of her performance in the city.
Several celebrities have been spotted at her shows, including Emma Roberts, Shania Twain, Emma Watson, and Laura Dern. For the full Eras Tour experience, super fans in New Jersey will definitely want to get their hands on the newly minted Taylor Swift sandwich.
