Is the Condiment 'Ketchup' or 'Catsup'?

There is a debate about the words "ketchup" and "catsup." Some argue that there is a difference between the two and that their tastes are different because their ingredients are different. However, the main difference between ketchup and catsup is their spelling.

The Condiment

Ketchup or catsup is a sweet-and-sour condiment typically made with tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, or high-fructose corn syrup, and vegetable seasonings and spices such as onions, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, garlic, and celery.

Ketchup is often used to enhance the flavor of foods. It is used on hamburgers, hotdogs, French fries, sandwiches, and meats. Some people eat ketchup on their scrambled eggs and fried fish. It is used in meatloaf and other dishes and is a base for various sauces.

Origin of the Words

Most people don't say "tomato catsup" because when the first ketchup or catsup was made in China, there were no tomatoes in it at all. Today, mushroom ketchup is sold in Britain, and banana ketchup is sold in the Philippines.

The condiment was first called catsup when it was made without tomatoes. Tomatoes were not used until 1801. When H. J. Heinz started distributing the condiment, it was still called catsup. When Heinz began mass-producing the product in 1837, the word was changed to ketchup so it would stand out from the rest, and the company no longer used the word catsup.

Hunt's followed suit by switching the name of its product from catsup to ketchup. Del Monte called it catsup until 1988. Then, it got on board with the major companies because ketchup was the popular choice for Americans.

To Be Grammatically Correct

Both words are acceptable spellings, and they are used interchangeably. How you spell the word is up to you. However, ketchup is the more popular choice. Notice what's on the bottle on tables in restaurants.

Even though catsup is the least popular word in the United States, don't discount it because a few companies around the world still refere to the condiment as catsup. In the end, ketchup has won the debate, and it is the more popular and recognized of the two words.

Unusual Uses for the Condiment

There is such a thing as a ketchup cake. There are many recipes online for the cake. People who have eaten it say it is very tasty. They say if you're a fan of carrot cake, you'll want to try eating a ketchup cake. Even so, some people frown about a dessert being made with ketchup.

No matter how you spell the word, and if you won't eat a ketchup cake, there are dozens of other unusual uses for the condiment that has nothing to do with eating it.

• Ketchup is an ideal beauty aid. It can be used as a facial to exfoliate the skin. The lycopene and vitamins A, C, and K are good for the skin.
• When men run out of shaving cream, they can use ketchup if they don't mind the red substance on their faces.
• If your hair changes color from chlorine in a swimming pool, use ketchup to get it back to normal.
• Ketchup can be used as a cleaning agent, and it has many other uses around the house and yard.
• Ketchup can be used as a metal polish for jewelry, copper pans, and spots on your car.
• Use ketchup to get rid of rust on garden furniture.
• Use ketchup to soothe insect bites.