Tuesday's Cupful: Ketchup

This sauce carries a lot of weight
Americans consume more than $400 million worth of ketchup each year. The red sauce poured on hotdogs and hamburgers in America actually has a fascinating history, which dates back to the 1600s. The word ketchup comes from the Malaysian word for sauce. Traders were introduced to the many Asian sauces in their travels. Old recipes included mushrooms, nuts, and fish brine. The popularity of tomatoes in the 19th century America led to new recipes that included the red fruit. Heinz started producing a version of tomato ketchup in 1876. Modern ketchup, made mostly from tomatoes, didn?t appear until the early 20th century. Ketchup is also called catsup, catchup, tomato sauce, and red sauce. Ketchup is made from tomato paste, sugar, vinegar, and salt. Regulated production standards help ensure thickness, viscosity, and flavor. Health conscious varieties (like low-carb and no salt) have also popped up on shelves in recent years. Modern ketchup has a sweet and tangy tomato flavor that goes well with cooked meats and fried dishes. We have ketchup loyalists in our family. Most of us are fans of Heinz brand. What's your favorite brand of ketchup and why?