Ketchup and catsup are essentially the same product. While they have some minor differences, both are used as condiments around the world. Below we’ll dive further into what separates these two products.
Ketchup vs. Catsup: What Is the Difference?
Ketchup and catsup refer to the same condiment, a tangy sauce made primarily from tomatoes, vinegar, and sugar. The two terms are simply regional variations in the name, with “ketchup” being more commonly used in the United States and “catsup” in some other English-speaking countries. The origin of the word can be traced back to the Chinese pickled fish sauce called “ke-chiap” or “ke-tsiap,” which eventually evolved into the tomato-based sauce we know today. Despite the different names, there is no difference in taste or ingredients between ketchup and catsup, and both can be used interchangeably.
The real difference between these two names is the branding. Other than that, they are just two different names for the same substance.There are actually many different names for this condiment, depending on where you go around the world. You may also hear it referred to as:
- Catsoup
- Kitsip
- Cornchop
- Cackchop
- Katshoup
- Kotpock
- Kutchpuck
History of Ketchup and Catsup
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The origins and battle of Catsup vs. Ketchup go back to the 17th century. The word “ketchup” comes from the 17th-century word “ke-chiap” or “ke-tsiap,” which both mean fish sauce. There was a form of ketchup way back in that day, but it was much different. Back then, it was made of mushrooms, kidney beans, walnuts, and anchovies. There were no tomatoes in the equation, and it didn’t have the same consistency that we’re used to today. It was a bit more like what we might think of as soy or Worcestershire sauce.
The name Catsup came in soon after. British sailors took the sauce back to their homeland and renamed it Catsup. It was also at that time that tomatoes were added to the existing fishy sauce. As the years went by, many alterations took place until catsup started to become what we know today.
For a long time, it was called Catsup, and it entered the English language in 1690. It wasn’t until the year 1711 that the word ketchup entered the English language.
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How Ketchup and Catsup Are Made
Both ketchup and catsup are created with similar ingredients. Ketchup typically has a combination of cinnamon, vinegar, salt, sugar, cloves, and ripened tomatoes. Some companies also add celery, onions, and other miscellaneous vegetables.
Catsup is basically the same, with only slight variables. Typically, catsup is made with sugar, tomatoes, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Sometimes, it may include white vinegar, cayenne, and celery seed.
Even if all the same ingredients are used, each bottle of ketchup may taste a little different based on the type of tomatoes that were used, how ripe they were, and so forth.
The Heinz Brand
When most people think about either ketchup vs. catsup, the brand Heinz comes to mind. They produce the product in the USA and Great Britain. When they started producing it in 1876, they called it Catsup. They technically changed it to ketchup soon after. However, many people in the Southern US still call it catsup.
Before the 18th century, just about everyone called it Catsup. That’s because many companies were selling it back then, and they all called it catsup. To stand out, Heinz officially changed the name to ketchup.
Which is More Popular: Ketchup or Catsup?
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The chart above comes from Google's Ngram Viewer, which tracks the usage of words over time. As you can see, for much of the early 20th century catsup was actually used more widely than ketchup. In recent years thanks to the popularity of large brands like Heinz that primarily sell the condiment as “ketchup,” the usage of catsup has faltered while references to ketchup have exploded.
Ketchup and Catsup Substitutes
If you ever run out of ketchup when you need it most or you just don’t like the exact taste of the bottle in your fridge, then all is not lost. There are several different alternatives for ketchup and catsup that you can use in a pinch, and they’re great as condiments and for dipping.
Tomato Jam – Buy a jar and put it in your pantry in case of an emergency. You can find it in health stores, and it offers the same sweet taste.
Salsa – While not exactly the same, salsa tastes great on hamburgers and fries. To get the salsa with the closest consistency to ketchup, try salsa roja.
BBQ Sauce – You may be surprised how close ketchup and BBQ sauce can be. In fact, it’s often the base for many varieties of BBQ sauce. It’s also a great topping for hamburgers.
Sriracha – There are currently brands of ketchup that offer a hint of spice and jalapeno, and you can also get that by using spicy chili pepper paste sriracha. It’s a great sauce for dipping.
Some people choose to cook their dishes and use ketchup or catsup as one of the primary ingredients. If there isn’t any around, you can use any of these alternatives:
- Tomato sauce
- Tomato paste
- Apple cider vinegar
Homemade Recipes
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While deciding to call it ketchup vs catsup, you can make your own with ingredients that you likely already have at home.
Standard Ketchup Recipe:
1. Mix the following ingredients into a saucepan:
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- 1 (6 ounces) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 5 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- 1 ¼ cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup
2. Cook at low heat for 45 minutes until the sauce is the same consistency as ketchup.
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Standard Ketchup Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 (6 ounces) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 5 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients into a saucepan.
- Cook at low heat for 45 minutes until the sauce is the same consistency as ketchup.
Healthy Ketchup Recipe
If you’re looking for a recipe that has a bit less sugar and sodium, then you can try this healthier recipe.
1. Mix these ingredients into a saucepan:
- 1 cup tomato paste (270 g)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 4 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Sea salt to taste (optional)
2. Mix until you get the right consistency, and then make adjustments as necessary.
Conclusion
If anyone asks you the difference between ketchup vs catsup, tell them that it’s all in a name. No matter how you say it, this incredibly popular condiment will elevate your next dish with a flavor kick, so don’t leave home without it.