June 5 is National Ketchup Day on the National Day Calendar and we are celebrating the most popular condiment in the U.S. Let's dip right into the origins and history of this food condiment day and see why this red sauce is a staple on tables across the nation.
Do you love it or hate it?
#NATIONALKETCHUPDAY
Ketchup comes from the Chinese word kê-tsiap that dates back to 300 BC in China. Kê-tsiap was a sauce made from fermented fish, consisting of anchovies or oysters, mushrooms, and walnuts. The sauce became very popular with the British during the 17th century when British sailors came across a local fish sauce while in Southeast Asia. In fact, British sailors were known to add the fish sauce to their crackers and meats.
The sauce was such a novelty for British sailors, it was bottled and brought onboard ships to add flavor to their crackers and meats. Once the sailors reached England, they tried to replicate the recipe, adopting the word catsup in the process.
In 1812, American scientist named James Mease documented the first tomato-based ketchup recipe. His documentation marked the first official ketchup recipe that contained tomatoes, sugar, spices, and vinegar. The same base recipe we know and love today.
I have always loved Ketchup!
