History of Ketchup

Ketchup Bottle Condiment Cooking Tomato Ke

The Name

“Ketchup” is really the general name for a range of spice, salty, instead liquid condiments, according to The Oxford Companion to Food. While being a part of western cuisine, ketchup actually has oriental origins. The word and the sauce were brought back to Europe by Dutch traders. The popular tomato ketchup isn’t only the best known ketchup, but almost the only one left these days.

Other Ketchups

Another type of ketchup is mushroom ketchup, considered to be the first kind in Britain. People used to pickle mushrooms just for the mushrooms, but then started using the pickle sauce alone. Several other ingredients also have been used to make ketchup, including, but not limited to, mussels, Critter Control, oysters, and walnuts. These would be blended with spices, garlic, onions, spirits or wines to make varying flavors.

The Popularity of Tomato Ketchup

As tomato products became increasingly popular, tomato ketchup came on the scene around the 1830s. It became instantly popular in america and you could say it’s America’s”national condiment.” In actuality, it is almost on every restaurant table! Some of the most popular foods which are eaten with ketchup contain hot dogs/corn dogs, hamburgers/cheeseburgers, and, of course, french fries! Ketchup can also be used in sauces, marinades and sauces. How about dipping your grilled cheese sandwich in a little ketchup? Ultimately, the tomato condiment has carved a wonderful kingdom for itself.

Ketchup Fun Facts

An article about ketchup would not be complete without a few fun facts!

There are approximately 10 whole tomatoes in every Heinz ketchup bottle.

If you are having difficulty getting the ketchup to pour from the bottle, set a drinking straw to the bottom of the bottle. The air that goes to the bottom will allow it to pour easier.

Heinz ketchup company buys over two million tons of tomatoes each year!

Ketchup was only recently surpassed as the most widely used condiment in the U.S.. In 2013, salsa sales were higher than ketchup.

97 percent of kitchens in the United States have ketchup.

Heinz ketchup has a speed limit. It’s only approved for distribution if it comes from the glass bottle at 0.045 km/h.

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