Ketchup was once sold as a medicine: Other facts you didn’t know about the condiment

Tomato ketchup is a household staple for many. You may be surprised to know that its history is actually quite interesting. Let’s delve into the depths of ketchup’s past and explore some of the most obscure and surprising facts.

Ketchup’s asian origins

The origins of ketchup can be traced back to ancient times when various cultures used fermented fish or brine as a sauce. In China a sauce called “ke-tchup” or “kôe-chiap” was made from pickled fish and spices and was brought to the Malay Archipelago by traders. European colonists encountered this sauce and brought it back to their home countries.

Though tomatoes are a staple in modern ketchup, they were not initially a part of the recipe. Tomatoes were not widely accepted in European cuisine until the 18th century. Other early ketchup recipes varied, but ingredients often included not only tomatoes but also mushrooms, walnuts, oysters, or other fruits and vegetables.

Ketchup was believed to have health benefits due to its fermented nature and the presence of various ingredients. In traditional Chinese medicine, fermented foods were often considered beneficial for digestion and overall health. European doctors like Dr. John Cook Bennett made ketchup tablets that purported to cure scurvy though the industry collapsed in the mid 19th century.

The Heinz domination

In the late 1800s, Henry J. Heinz revolutionised the packaging of ketchup by introducing the iconic glass bottle. Heinz’s design was supposed to make the ketchup to flow smoothly and evenly, making it more convenient for consumers. However, anyone who has dealt with a glass bottle knows you have to smack it a few times to get a dribble of the crimson sauce.

While ketchup is a popular condiment, it can be high in sugar and salt, so it’s essential to use it in moderation. In comparison, tomatoes are a good source of nutrients like lycopene, an antioxidant associated with various health benefits.

The Guinness World Record for the farthest ketchup squirting distance was set by a Japanese man named Hikaru Nakasone in 1998. He shot a stream of ketchup from a regular bottle a distance of 30 feet and 9 inches (over 9 metres)!