Is it Ketchup or Catsup? Here’s the Real Difference (2024)

FAQs

Is it Ketchup or Catsup? Here’s the Real Difference? ›

As it turns out, they're the same thing!

Heinz originally bottled their condiment as “tomato catsup” and changed their branding to “Heinz Tomato Ketchup” soon after bringing it to market in order to distinguish it from competitors. Other brands followed suit once it became clear that “ketchup” was the more popular term among U.S. consumers.

'Catsup' and 'ketchup' are both acceptable spellings for the same thing. Both are correct, and different brands use one or the other spelling on their label. There's no difference between 'catsup' and 'ketchup' except how they are spelled.

The company originally called it catsup, but soon switched to ketchup to stand out. Today, ketchup is the standard, while catsup is still used occasionally in the southern U.S.

According to a Heinz spokesperson, Henry John Heinz first brought his product to market as “Heinz Tomato Catsup,” but changed the spelling early on to distinguish it from competitors. Del Monte did not switch spellings until 1988, after it became clear that ketchup was the spelling of choice for American consumers.

Ketchup is the dominant term in American English and Canadian English, although catsup is commonly used in some southern US states and Mexico. In Canada and the US, tomato sauce is not a synonym for ketchup but is a sauce made from tomatoes and commonly used in making sauce for pasta.

The H. J. Heinz Company, a name that's synonymous with ketchup for most people today, was a relative latecomer to the game and didn't produce a tomato-based ketchup until 1876. They originally referred to their product as catsup, but switched to ketchup in the 1880s to stand out.

The first name of “catsup” officially appeared in Britain in 1690; the “ketchup” variant was first listed in 1711. Where is the tomato, you might wonder?

In 1988, Hunt's catsup changed its label to ketchup. In May 2010, Hunt's ketchup temporarily removed high fructose corn syrup from its ingredients. The new ingredients were "tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, salt and other seasonings". The product changed back to high fructose corn syrup in May 2012.

The number isn't just featured on Heinz ketchup; it also appears on the brand's mustard, mayonnaise, baked beans and cream of tomato soup. Much like the Heinz logo, the "57 varieties" mark has become a way for customers to recognize the brand and it's really nostalgic for fans of the company.

What is the oldest ketchup brand? ›

In 1876, the world of ketchup changed forever. A first-generation German American named Henry J. Heinz launched his bottled version of ketchup—spelled “catsup”—following his success with bottled grated horseradish, which the company advertised alongside dozens of other products.

The preferred spelling in Canada is ketchup. Catsup is a variant spelling used primarily in the United States.

Below is the UK transcription for 'ketchup': Modern IPA: kɛ́ʧəp. Traditional IPA: ˈkeʧəp. 2 syllables: "KECH" + "uhp"

As it turns out, they're the same thing!

Ketchup and catsup are both Westernized terms for a condiment that has origins in China: fish sauce. Ketchup as we know it today is a modernized version of fish sauce, which was made in port towns on the South China Sea with salted and fermented anchovies.

Most sources state that ketchup and catsup are the exact same thing, just different variations of the spelling. Ketchup is, of course, the most common spelling and has long been associated with the condiment.

The only correct spelling is “tomato”. Uneducated, poor spellers ( such as a local farmer who hangs a banner “Tomatoe and Appel for sale”.

Ketchup must contain at least 41% tomato paste to qualify as 'ketchup' according to Israeli trading standards. The Heinz product claims on its label to contain 61% tomato paste, but Osem Trade said it had commissioned independent testing that showed it only contained 21% tomato paste.

The Del Monte brand of catsup was one of the last to switch its labeling over to ketchup in 1988, according to the Slate article, and Gassmann adds the Brooks brand is still being produced — only now it's in Canada, and it too has been re-branded as ketchup.

It was also seen as unappealing because to make the ketchup a different color, they had to change the genetic makeup of the original ketchup. In doing so, they changed the texture and many people didn't like that change.