Ketchup Heaven

Ketchup or Catsup- toe-may-toe/ toe-ma-toe no matter how you say it everyone knows about the famous red condiment you are referring to. Although ketchup was not always made with tomatoes. Originally from Asian and Indonesian decent, it was originally a spicy, picked fish sauce that sometimes contained anchovies, mushrooms beans and walnuts. Popular in 17th century China it was known as ke-tsiap. Once ketchup transitioned over into New England in the late 1700's tomatoes were finally added to the blend. One of the most famous names still today, Heinz, began making his blend of ketchup in 1876 and bottling it up for consumers.

What does your ketchup style say about you?

Some people believe you can tell a lot about a person just by observing how they use their ketchup.

Squirters: People who shake their bottle before turning it upside down and squirting into a nice pile besides their food are neat and tidy and like to be in control.

Spankers: Those who slap the bottom of the bottle and chant "come onnnnnn" may be impatient in life, however are very goal oriented. They know exactly what they want and how they want it.

Pokers: People who stick a knife or other utensil into the bottle to get it flowing are usually laid back and easy going but can also be messy from time to time.

Gourmet: The people who use a completely different side plate for their ketchup are very organized but may come off snobby to some.

Fun Facts

Collinsville, Illinois is home to the worlds largest bottle of ketchup!

Ketchup can also be used as a cleaning agent for copper. The acid it contains removes tarnish and makes copper shine like new.

Ketchup is the most widley used condiment in US households. 96 percent of all Americans have it in their kitchen.

An average person consumes about three bottles of ketchup every year.

Baskin Robbins tried to pull off a Ketchup flavored ice cream calling it the only vegetable flavored ice cream ever made. Never heard this story? That is probably due to the fact that it was pulled form shelves very shortly after it was made due to consumers being less than thrilled with the idea of ketchup ice cream.

Ketchup was once sold as a medication in the US. During the 1830's it was called Dr. Miles Compound Extract of Tomato. It was thought to cure indigestion, diarrhea, liver disease and to prevent cholera .