Ketchup is undoubtedly a classic staple in American cuisine. But did you know that it traveled the globe with its origins in China? Learn the ketchup history and discover its journey from Asia to America by way of Europe.
The history of ketchup precedes the history of the United States. The name ketchup comes from the Chinese word ke-tsiap or ke-chiap, meaning “pickled fish sauce.”
Food historians believe that this dark fermented fish sauce came from Vietnam over to the southeastern part of China. From there, Chinese traders spread throughout Southeast Asia to countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
The fish sauce was used as a seasoning for cooking and it has been likened to today’s Worcestershire sauce. Interesting fact, fermenting fish dates as far back as 300 BC in China in the form of fish paste.
In the 1700s, British sailors encountered this ke-tsiap in Southeast Asia. With their interest in the product, they took it back to Europe where it evolved into many forms of sauces over the course of 100 years. From anchovy-based to oyster-based, with walnuts and fruits, and as a mushroom sauce.
From Britain, British settlers brought this mushroom sauce over to America where it further evolved to the tomato ketchup we know of today.
In 1812, tomatoes were finally the star of the sauce mixed with spices and a heavy hand of salt.
This salty, tomato sauce was thought to be a medicinal cure in the 1830s for indigestion and diarrhea.
In 1876, Heinz developed their ketchup recipe to include distilled vinegar, a shelf-stable formula and packaged into transparent glass bottles. Ketchup then became the popular national and universal condiment.
White Castle introduced the nation to the first fast-food chain in 1921 featuring little slider burgers with ketchup.
After World War II in the mid-1940s, tomato ketchup spread around the globe from US bases. This is how Japan’s Spaghetti Napolitan was first created, using ketchup as the tomato sauce base.
The success continued for decades when, in 1968, Heinz created small ketchup sauce packets for the American fast-food lifestyle.
Today, ketchup remains America’s most iconic condiment with 97% of households storing it in their pantries and refrigerators.
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