# 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:** 16\ **Page:** 4
**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, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/61 "2013-01-09T03:11:50Z")
I wonder if I should start a business selling european food to the US… over here HFCS is pretty unusual in a food and almost always ruins it. Then again my understanding is you have HFCS in stuff like bread buns! so maybe couldn’t cope with lack of sugar… ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/62 "2013-01-09T03:39:31Z")
Behold the ketchup war > **[McDonald's Re-opening in Trinidad? - Page 15](https://www.trinituner.com/v4/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=383789&start=420)** > > TriniTuner.com is the most subscribed automotive publication and the largest, most active online community in T&T. :pWendys and McDonalds have decided to be neutral, they now offer both USA ketchup(Heinz) and local ketchup(Mabels) in their dining area. My wife thinks Heinz tastes like it has gone rancid. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/63 "2013-01-09T03:58:30Z")
> [@Sevencl](#): > > I've only tried own-brands, Heinz and Branston, but much prefer Branston. Heinz is too runny. Heinz? Too runny? Their commercials used to feature Carly Simon’s song “Anticipation.” ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/64 "2013-01-09T15:35:55Z")
Upon entering a restaurant, I noticed the Heinz Ketchup bottles on the tables. I decided to order some french fries, because they are super with Heinz Ketchup. The fries came and I opened the bottle and this red water came pouring out. Upon closer examination of the bottle, I noticed the label was quite worn from numerous refills of the cheap ketchup. I wrote to the Heinz folks and reported the incident to them. This was a pre-internet era, so it was via snail mail. Heinz replied saying they would send the Heinz police to this restaurant and discuss the matter. They also sent me a bunch of coupons for free stuff. ---
**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, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/65 "2013-01-09T15:38:52Z")
I’d love to see the raid by the Heinz police. Do they dress all in red? Do they have ketchup squirt guns in their holsters? ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/66 "2013-01-09T16:59:38Z")
Boss, we’re in a pickle now! It’s the Ketchup Cops! I don’t relish the thought of what they’ll do to us! ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/67 "2013-01-09T17:11:09Z")
Do they wear white bellhop-style caps? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/68 "2013-01-09T17:14:59Z")
I grew up just west of Pittsburgh, so that means I grew up with Heinz ketchup. I’m not a purist and I’m frankly not sure I’d be able to pick it in a blind taste-test, but I do prefer it to other brands. The Heinz Regional History Center in Pittsburgh (it’s technically named after the late U.S. senator, not the ketchup itself) has a good exhbit on Heinz bottles, signage, ads etc. over the years. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/69 "2013-01-09T17:39:01Z")
Anybody remember Snyder’s “Hot as the Devil” ketchup? That stuff was great-I wonder if some local firm makes it today? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/70 "2013-01-09T17:40:30Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I grew up just west of Pittsburgh, so that means I grew up with Heinz ketchup. I’m not a purist and I’m frankly not sure I’d be able to pick it in a blind taste-test, but I do prefer it to other brands. > > The Heinz Regional History Center in Pittsburgh (it’s technically named after the late U.S. senator, not the ketchup itself) has a good exhbit on Heinz bottles, signage, ads etc. over the years. They also have the original [Heinz Ketchup sign](http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM76DC_Heinz_Ketchup_Neon_Sign) from the factory. (I did my internship there – the history center – when I was in college) **Face Intentionally Left Blank** , you are a traitor. _hiss_ ---
**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, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/71 "2013-01-09T17:40:56Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > Anybody remember Snyder’s “Hot as the Devil” ketchup? That stuff was great-I wonder if some local firm makes it today? If you can’t find that anymore, try [Melinda’s](http://sauceworld.com/condiments/ketchup/melindas-habanero-ketchup.html?gclid=CMLxyezo27QCFWlxQgodPFoA2Q). ---
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/72 "2013-01-09T17:44:26Z")
> [@Simple\_Linctus](#): > > but I know it’s my favourite vegetable by far. but I know it’s my favourite [del]vegetable[/del] fruit by far. Fixed that for ya. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/73 "2013-01-09T18:34:21Z")
Heinz doesn’t have HFCS in Canada either. The version I highly recommend however is the 75% less sugar version of Heinz. I can only find it in the US (at the same price as regular Heinz) or in Canadian specialty stores (at 8x the cost of regular ketchup), so I stock up on every trip to the US. It tastes very very close to regular Heinz ketchup, I find the only real difference is the flavour is a little stronger so I use less. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/74 "2013-01-09T18:47:48Z")
The only thing I really like or eat ketchup on is hot dogs, which generally makes people here run amok. So of course I had to mention it. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/75 "2013-01-09T20:25:35Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Upon entering a restaurant, I noticed the Heinz Ketchup bottles on the tables. I decided to order some french fries, because they are super with Heinz Ketchup. The fries came and I opened the bottle and this red water came pouring out. Upon closer examination of the bottle, I noticed the label was quite worn from numerous refills of the cheap ketchup. I wrote to the Heinz folks and reported the incident to them. This was a pre-internet era, so it was via snail mail. Heinz replied saying they would send the Heinz police to this restaurant and discuss the matter. They also sent me a bunch of coupons for free stuff. This happened to us once at a Sizzler restaurant. This was also many years ago in the pre-Internet era, but I was too lazy to complain about it. But it was obvious from the moment that I turned over the bottle that whatever was inside it, it certainly wasn’t Heinz ketchup. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284/76 "2013-01-09T20:45:14Z")
Neither Hunt’s nor Heinz or any other ketchup is as good as Brook’s Rich and Tangy ketchup. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-heinz-ketchup-that-makes-it-so-wonderful/629284.md?page=3)