# HP Sauce **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 16, 2007, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182 "2007-03-16T10:54:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/21 "2007-03-16T21:00:52Z")
**Rayne Man** Please say its so, I had to stop buying it when they made it out of yeast extract, it was just so…crap, and incredibly salty. no doubt to disguise the awful taste. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/22 "2007-03-16T21:05:21Z")
No, H.P. Sauce is the repellant, squamous sauce with a reptilian appearance and batrachian odour, whose colour almost appears to lie beyond those realms of human experience and seems to come from beyond Space and Time. Cthulhu puts it on Shoggoths, and Pickman’s Models use them on what they pick up at Park Street Under. Actually, I’ve been wondering about this stuff since I read a reference to it in some Rumpole of the Bailey story. What does it taste like? Is it at all like A-1 sauce or Worcestershire Sauce, or is it completely different from anything else? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/23 "2007-03-16T21:14:38Z")
It’s like A-1 in that it is a thick sauce. Otherwise, it has a taste all its own. I like it, myself. The wife thinks it reeks. Oh, well. Mixed marriages always have their challenges. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/24 "2007-03-16T21:14:48Z")
My friend from Enlgand used to go on about two thing that they adored that they could not easily find in the states, HP sauce and the other was Ribena. I tried them both and promptly punched my friend in the face (not really, but both were awful). ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/25 "2007-03-16T21:18:47Z")
[QUOTE=casdave] **Rayne Man** Please say its so, I had to stop buying it when they made it out of yeast extract, it was just so…crap, and incredibly salty. no doubt to disguise the awful taste. [/QUOTE] It’s true, believe me. The jars now have the word “beef” in large friendly letters on the label. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/26 "2007-03-16T21:34:03Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham] Actually, I’ve been wondering about this stuff since I read a reference to it in some Rumpole of the Bailey story. What does it taste like? Is it at all like A-1 sauce or Worcestershire Sauce, or is it completely different from anything else? [/QUOTE] It’s not a million miles away from Worcestershire sauce, perhaps a bit more vinegary and fruity, at least to my jaded smoke-damaged palate. It’s certainly not in the same love/hate friendship-reevaluating category as Marmite. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/27 "2007-03-16T21:37:12Z")
[QUOTE=Gangster Octopus] My friend from Enlgand used to go on about two thing that they adored that they could not easily find in the states, HP sauce and the other was Ribena. I tried them both and promptly punched my friend in the face (not really, but both were awful). [/QUOTE] Ribena is just blackcurrant juice. And some e-numbers, probably.. Seems an odd thing to have such a visceral reaction to. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/28 "2007-03-16T21:51:28Z")
Hm. I gots me a bottle of HP sauce in the fridge, next to the birch syrup, spruce tip jelly, habanero jelly, and about 30 other more mundane condiments. The marmite and vegemite and promite don’t get refrigerated, of course! I wonder how HP sauce would taste in my famous muffin, marmite, poached egg, summersausage and 6 year old cheddar cheese with chipotle peppers sandwich? Now I’ve got a project for the weekend! ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/29 "2007-03-16T22:03:35Z")
[QUOTE=Qadgop the Mercotan] I wonder how HP sauce would taste in my famous muffin, marmite, poached egg, summersausage and 6 year old cheddar cheese with chipotle peppers sandwich? [/QUOTE] I’d expect to be transformed into a being of light, and borne on Manwe’s breath to Valimar. ETA HP doesn’t need refrigerating usually, and what’s a summersausage? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/30 "2007-03-16T22:07:29Z")
[QUOTE=Struan] I’d expect to be transformed into a being of light, and borne on Manwe’s breath to Valimar. [/QUOTE] Hot damn! Gotta get cookin’! See you all at Dagor Dagorath! ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/31 "2007-03-16T22:12:03Z")
[QUOTE=Qadgop the Mercotan] Hot damn! Gotta get cookin’! [/QUOTE] It’s great on chips or meat of whatever kind. I like the sound of your meal though. Tomorrow morning I’m going to have poached egg on toast. The toast will have nice butter and marmite on. I’ll see you in the Undying Lands. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/32 "2007-03-16T22:12:06Z")
I’d certainly say it’s much closer in flavour to Worcestershire than A1. But the consistency is crucial - like ketchup, you can dunk a piece of sausage into it, or spread it thinly across a bacon sandwich. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/33 "2007-03-16T22:17:24Z")
[QUOTE=GorillaMan] I’d certainly say it’s much closer in flavour to Worcestershire than A1. But the consistency is crucial - like ketchup, you can dunk a piece of sausage into it, or spread it thinly across a bacon sandwich. [/QUOTE] Is it just me or is the stuff in the plastic squeezy bottle different? Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for innovation and ease of access, but it also tastes a bit…ummm…watery? ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/34 "2007-03-16T22:27:36Z")
[QUOTE=Gangster Octopus] My friend from Enlgand used to go on about two thing that they adored that they could not easily find in the states, HP sauce and the other was Ribena. I tried them both and promptly punched my friend in the face (not really, but both were awful). [/QUOTE] I can excuse ex-pats waxing nostalgic about things like HP sauce, but I’m a bit puzzled by people who still live here getting misty-eyed about it. It’s just a slightly nasty, vinegary alternative to ketchup, which outsells it 5 to 1 for a reason. Ribena’s alright though. You probably diluted it too much. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/35 "2007-03-16T22:29:04Z")
How many HP do you get back from tasting it? ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/36 "2007-03-16T22:30:32Z")
[QUOTE=Struan] Is it just me or is the stuff in the plastic squeezy bottle different? Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for innovation and ease of access, but it also tastes a bit…ummm…watery? [/QUOTE] I suspect it settles/separates more in the plastic bottle, and needs a damn good shake (or maybe the lack of needing a shake to get it moving means it doesn’t get one at all?) [QUOTE=Usram] ketchup, which outsells it 5 to 1 for a reason. [/QUOTE] Yeah - it’s pumped full of sugar, so chips can be unhealthy two ways instead of one. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2007, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/37 "2007-03-17T00:16:23Z")
You say that like it’s a bad thing. Better ketchup than brown vinegary gloop which drowns out all other flavours. ---
**Author:** ![Aioua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@Aioua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aioua)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2007, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/38 "2007-03-17T00:31:24Z")
I must say I love HP sauce, and somehow my local safeway stocks it! In Seattle! It _is_ $7 a bottle, though. But [Lizano Sauce](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salsa_Lizano), sweet Lizano… nectar of the ogs! This is the only thing to put on nachos. 😉 If it ever went away I’d cry. A lot. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2007, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/39 "2007-03-17T00:37:47Z")
[QUOTE=Big Bad Voodoo Lou] How many HP do you get back from tasting it? [/QUOTE] No, no, it takes you back to your home point. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2007, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182/40 "2007-03-17T08:08:54Z")
[QUOTE=Aioua] I must say I love HP sauce, and somehow my local safeway stocks it! In Seattle! It _is_ $7 a bottle, though. But [Lizano Sauce](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salsa_Lizano), sweet Lizano… nectar of the ogs! This is the only thing to put on nachos. 😉 If it ever went away I’d cry. A lot. [/QUOTE] $7 a bottle??? holy crap, that’s about £4 in real money…for one bottle! :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-sauce/396182.md?page=3)