Ketchup: It’s not all the Same
By: Keith
I don’t know why I’m writing about ketchup today. I had so many other interesting topics on my list. But, I was standing staring into the open refrigerator door today and inexplicably started reading the ingredients on my ketchup bottle. And, of course, being the curious guy that I am, I decided to do some research to compare ketchup brands. What I’ve found is this: Not all ketchup is the same. And, if you want to avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup – I do, then you’ll have to either get an organic brand or the Whole Foods brand ketchup. McDonald’s, I learned, used to get their ketchup from Heinz. But sometime back in the 70′s there was some sort of tomato shortage and Heinz dumped McDonald’s. Since then McDonald’s has been making their own brand of ketchup. That’s interesting.
McDonald’s Ketchup (made by McDonald’s): One packet (10g): 15 calories, 110 mg sodium, 2g sugar
Ingredients: Tomato concentrate from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, water, salt, natural flavors.
Heinz Ketchup: 1 Tbsp (17g): 15 calories 190 mg sodium, 4g sugar
Ingredients: Tomato concentrate made from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, salt, spice, onion powder, natural flavoring.
Safeway Organic Ketchup: 1 Tbsp (17g): 20 calories, 210 mg sodium, 4g sugar
Ingredients: Organic Tomato Concentrate (water, organic Tomato Paste), Organic Sugar, Organic Vinegar, Salt, Organic Onion Powder, Organic Spice.
Annie’s Organic Ketchup: 1 Tbsp (17g): 15 calories, 150 mg sodium, 2g sugar
Ingredients: Water, *Tomato Paste, *Sugar, *Distilled White Vinegar, Sea Salt, *Onion Powder, *Allspice, *Clove Powder.
*Organic ingredients
Heinz Organic Ketchup: 1 Tbsp (17g): 20 calories, 190 mg sodium, 4g sugar
Ingredients: Organic Tomato Concentrate From Red Ripe Organic Tomatoes, Organic Distilled Vinegar, Organic Sugar, Salt, Organic Onion Powder, Organic Spice, Natural Flavoring.
Whole Foods Tomato Ketchup: 1Tbsp (17g): 20 calories, 160 mg sodium, 4g sugar
Ingredients: tomato puree, evaporated cane juice, white vinegar, salt, onion powder, and spices.
My boy puts ketchup on just about everything. For his sake it seems Annie’s is one of the best. Allspice in ketchup? Yummy!
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I have a recipe to make your own ketchup if you’d like it. It’s pretty good.
it seems I like Heinz the best, but I may try some of the others listed… thanks
I’m definitely going to try Annies! Thanks for the tip!!
No Problem Tammy: We’ve bought Annies before, but haven’t recently because It’s more expensive.
I’m weird, I put mustard on things people normally put ketchup on. And even with that I’m a mustard snob, no french’s yellow for me. My wife is addicted to ketchup, which is the only reason we even have it in the house, and my son is following in my footsteps.
.-= PJ Mullen´s last blog ..Tunnel fun =-.
PJ: I know a few people like you!
I Mustard has such a distinctive flavor that must appeal strongly to some people and not others. Ketchup is unique but it’s not nearly as strong.
Malcolm Gladwell had a similar idea and wrote an interesting piece on why Heinz is everywhere. As opposed to Mustard, for which there are loads of different flavors and vendors.
It’s in his book of essays What The Dog Saw. Or on his website:
gladwell.com/2004/2004_09_06_a_ketchup.html
Simon: Interesting. I’m going to have to check that out.
My wife wears a shirt that says “I put ketchup on my ketchup.” I’m sure she’s going to find this post interesting! One person’s off-the-wall post is another person’s gold mine. Thanks.
.-= Dave last blog ..Shrimp and Grits – Amazing!! =-.
No mention of either Del Monte or Hunts ketchups. Pity. Both run circles around Heinz.
While Heinz is, of course, beyond dominant to say the least, their product is something I avoid as per the net taste and texture.
BTW….., Hunts employ sugar as sweetener as opposed to HFCS.
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