# What is it about Heinz Ketchup that makes it so wonderful? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 24, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284 "2012-07-24T21:06:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [July 26, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/41 "2012-07-26T16:41:27Z")
My opinion: There are better and worse ketchups, but Heinz certainly is consistent. Glad the important controversies are being discussed openly at last. Next up: Citing vintage years of RC cola, and whether or not to make urination a Nobel prize category. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/42 "2012-07-26T17:16:56Z")
Mmm, RC. It’s the only sugared cola I ever liked, besides China Cola. \<3 But to me, ALL sugared pop turns my teeth immediately fuzzy. Gross. I drink diet for a couple of other reasons, but not having to deal with that is a good one. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/43 "2012-07-26T17:46:14Z")
> [@Tapiotar](#): > > Malcolm Gladwell wrote a piece about why items that win taste tests don’t sell as well as their competitors. IIRC, Pepsi wins over Coke in a taste test because it is sweeter, and sweeter is more appealing in one or two sips. If, however, you drink a whole can, Pepsi becomes more cloying, and the same people who rated it more highly on the first sip will now rate Coke more highly. The same principle applies to many, many other items and tastes other than just sweet. > > Sorry, don’t remember the name of the piece, but it was definitely Malcolm Gladwell. It could have been collected in Blink…I listened to it on a long car trip, coming into Columbia, SC in the winter a few years ago. It’s in the article linked to in post 2. Very long article but very informative. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2012, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/44 "2012-07-27T21:24:30Z")
Former Pittsburgher here. Loved Heinz, always bought Heinz. After moving away and noticing Heinz cost twice as much as Hunts around here, I tried Hunts. After awhile, I decided I preferred it. Hunts recently switched away from high-fructose corn sweetener to sugar. I didn’t like the change. Perhaps it has to do with what you are accustomed to. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2012, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/45 "2012-07-28T15:03:04Z")
I never paid much attention to whether it was Hunts or Heinz in the fridge because I usually don’t buy the condiments for the house. I figured catsup was just catsup. However, since the house guests from hell are still here and part of their chosen contribution to the household is groceries, everything they buy is wal-mart brand. OMG I don’t know how they can legally label that diarrhea in a bottle as catsup. So I bought a bottle of Heinz and shortly thereafter a bottle of Hunts, because you know which bottles are being used and which are rotting on the shelves (along with the wal-mart mayo, salad dressings, crackers, etc). I like both, but I think Hunts is slightly better. ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2012, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/46 "2012-07-28T15:11:06Z")
Heinz doesn’t have HFCS here. Actually relatively few products do because we don’t have the same odd sugar rules you guys have. Might be fun to start a thread about HFCS in American cuisine but I’m probably not the person to do it. Volunteers? ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/47 "2012-07-31T14:59:44Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > You might read this: [http://www.gladwell.com/2004/2004\_09\_06\_a\_ketchup.html](http://www.gladwell.com/2004/2004_09_06_a_ketchup.html) > > It is Malcolm Gladwell’s piece from The New Yorker and later included in one of his essay collection books. It discusses / asserts that Heinz represents a balancing of sour, salty, bitter, sweet and umame… > > Enjoy. I gotta say, for those who might think an article on this subject would be boring and not worth reading, well… it’s worth the read. Great article! ---
**Author:** ![oreally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ab992/32.png) [@oreally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oreally)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/48 "2012-07-31T16:11:14Z")
Heinz is just about the only condiment where I think the brand name really matters. It’s easily the best and worth a little extra $. Hunts is passable only and the rest are just drek. That said, lately Heinz has seemed a little different to me, a little off somehow, like maybe it’s a touch too sweet or not salty enough or something. Hard to say but something’s off… ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/49 "2012-07-31T16:43:01Z")
It’s from Pittsburgh. That’s why it’s better. We have the best football team (as measured in Super Bowl wins) and the best ketchup. > [@pulykamell](#): > > See, I think of Heinz as the Miracle Whip of ketchup myself. Hunt’s has purity of flavor. Heinz is just some bastard tomato-like condiment OK, that’s it. You are banned from Pittsburgh for life. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/50 "2012-07-31T16:56:22Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > It’s from Pittsburgh. That’s why it’s better. We have the best football team (as measured in Super Bowl wins) and the best ketchup. > > OK, that’s it. You are banned from Pittsburgh for life. Promise? ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/51 "2012-07-31T17:25:32Z")
Malcolm Gladwell is interesting, period. I am amused by the predominance of just two brands in this thread, Heinz and Hunt’s. There are many others out there, including Store Brand. 😛 I am no ketchup aficionado, and I can barely tell the difference in any ketchup type, but the most recent bottle I bought for the rest of the herd in my house was Red Gold. I like their brand of canned tomatoes, so I thought the ketchup might be good. The herd made no comment, but I like the thought of plump Indiana tomatoes in my fridge. (Dei Fratelli is actually my favorite brand of canned tomato product [_Ohio_ tomatoes], but I don’t think they make ketchup.) ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/52 "2012-08-01T15:19:12Z")
I killed a ketchup thread?! Ha! ---
**Author:** ![oreally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ab992/32.png) [@oreally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oreally)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/53 "2012-08-01T23:29:06Z")
I think we’re still in shock that you think store brand/cheapie ketchup is even remotely comparable to Heinz or Hunts. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/54 "2013-01-09T01:00:42Z")
I was thinking about this some more - what’s the possibility of creating a food item that is basically there to show off ketchup? Does one exist? The obvious stuff is fried potato but I wonder if you could basically have “no neutriant balls” that are just there to soak up ketchup. They would need a nice hard texture and ideally be not very calorific. But that’s just one suggestion - anything that focusses on ketchup has a shot. Breadcrumbs maybe? ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/55 "2013-01-09T01:19:59Z")
Ketchup is unfit for human consumption. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2013, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/56 "2013-01-09T01:27:10Z")
Which is why all of us eat it. We’re aliens, you know. Oops. ---
**Author:** ![Sevencl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sevencl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevencl)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/57 "2013-01-09T01:33:31Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > Ketchup is unfit for human consumption. [quote="silenus, post:56, topic:629284"] Which is why all of us eat it. We’re aliens, you know. [/QUOTE] I’ve only tried own-brands, Heinz and Branston, but much prefer Branston. Heinz is too runny. ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/58 "2013-01-09T01:42:12Z")
Going back to the HFCS question brought up 6 months ago, I normally prefer the cane sugar version of foods. Every year I wait eagerly for the kosher for Passover Coke to hit the shelves. But not Heinz ketchup. I had some with my fries in Montreal and my first reaction was an alarmed “What the hell is wrong with this stuff?” I read the ingredients and turned out that yup, Canadian Heinz uses sugar and American Heinz uses HFCS. Did not like Canadian ketchup. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/59 "2013-01-09T01:52:35Z")
> [@chizzuk](#): > > Going back to the HFCS question brought up 6 months ago, I normally prefer the cane sugar version of foods. Every year I wait eagerly for the kosher for Passover Coke to hit the shelves. We have it year round out here…it’s called “Mexican coke” because it’s made in Mexico. It has sugar, not HFCS and it comes in 12 oz glass bottles. Usually sold as singles, but you can get a case at BevMo. But I don’t know if it’s kosher for Passover. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/60 "2013-01-09T02:01:11Z")
> [@chizzuk](#): > > Going back to the HFCS question brought up 6 months ago, I normally prefer the cane sugar version of foods. Every year I wait eagerly for the kosher for Passover Coke to hit the shelves. But not Heinz ketchup. I had some with my fries in Montreal and my first reaction was an alarmed “What the hell is wrong with this stuff?” I read the ingredients and turned out that yup, Canadian Heinz uses sugar and American Heinz uses HFCS. Did not like Canadian ketchup. I have a bottle of American Heinz ketchup in my refrigerator that’s made with sugar; it’s labeled as Simply Heinz and cost a little more. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284.md?page=4)