Ketchup?

[nmap]

Has anyone else noticed a decline in the quality and flavor of ketchup? To the point where it might be called "Kerry's Revenge"?

I dropped by Costco and bought .... well ... a supply sufficient for way too long. It was, I regret to say, Heinz. Later, I learned that Hunt's and Heinz Organic had produced better taste results.

So, the question becomes - how to remedy the problem.

At THIS SITE, there is a recipe for ketchup.

One 6-ounce can tomato paste* 170
1/2 cup light corn syrup* 113
1/2 cup white vinegar* 113
1/4 cup water 1 tablespoon sugar* 69.6
1 teaspoon salt* 6.083
1/4 teaspoon onion powder* 1.17
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder* 0.585

With the number to the right as estimates of the weight, in grams, of the line items. In contrast, the ketchup I bought shows that 17 grams of ketchup include about 190 milligrams of sodium.

As nearly as I can tell, that suggests that the salt has been cut about 13% from the original...although I wouldn't swear to it. I get the impression people don't use analytical balances for recipes.

I'm thinking of taking 1/2 cup of Heinz, adding 1/10 tsp salt, a pinch of onion and garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp of sugar.

However - perhaps someone has a better idea? (With better not including dropping the current supply in the Goodwill box under cover of darkness!)

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by nmap

I dropped by Costco and bought .... well ... a supply sufficient for way too long. It was, I regret to say, Heinz. Later, I learned that Hunt's and Heinz Organic had produced better taste results.

<<SNIP>>

However - perhaps someone has a better idea? (With better not including dropping the current supply in the Goodwill box under cover of darkness!)

Why not just return the ketchup to Costco and get back your money? In my experience, Costco has a generous return policy.

FWIW, I've not noticed the change in taste of Heinz ketchup. Then again, I use that condiment rarely and when I do, it isn't on the plate for long.

[Sdiver]

Remember Boys and Girls......practice Safe Eating....


ALWAYS use a condiment.

[Penn]

nmap, there is something wrong with the conversion system as 28gr.= 1oz. the column showed measurements over that amount. The same is true for teaspoon measurements.

Heinz ketchup...we are putting a burger on the menu and will be making our own ketchup. I'll try what you posted and then our little ditty, I'll post the taste test...

If you have time always make your own; if nothing else at least you know whats in it!!!

One 6-ounce can tomato paste* 170
1/2 cup light corn syrup* 113
1/2 cup white vinegar* 113
1/4 cup water 1 tablespoon sugar* 69.6
1 teaspoon salt* 6.083
1/4 teaspoon onion powder* 1.17
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder* 0.585

[nmap]

Originally Posted by Penn

nmap, there is something wrong with the conversion system as 28gr.= 1oz. the column showed measurements over that amount. The same is true for teaspoon measurements.

It's true that one ounce of weight = 28 grams; however, a fluid ounce of water is more like 29.5 grams. The teaspoon amounts of onion and garlic powder are even more problematic, since those are (according to my understanding) dried (or freeze dried?) and ground, so a given volume of these materials is likely to be lighter than a volume of water. The only thing I could find that even hinted at a value was dried yeast.

So...you can see why I was very hesitant to put any faith in my 13% figure!

But I'm excited about the prospect of your ketchup taste-test. I'll look forward to seeing more! And, if you'd like, I'll track down another recipe I found that had a lot more ingredients...

Thanks as always.

BTW - Sigaba - good idea about Costco. I called them, and they'll be getting back some of Kerry's Revenge Sauce.

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by nmap

BTW - Sigaba - good idea about Costco. I called them, and they'll be getting back some of Kerry's Revenge Sauce.

Not for nothin' am I known as The Costco Kid .

[Penn]

A long time ago, there was a discussion here which lead me to the Dean of the Astrophysics Department at Princeton University to resolve something equally important....please tell me that 1 gram still equals a gram 1gram...volume and weight are two different issues…but, as I seem to recall, that conversation and the usual suspects questioned the relative value of motion and speed…

Ok, so what does a gram of air weigh?

[Red Flag 1]

FWIW, political air carries less weight.

RF 1

[nmap]

Originally Posted by Penn

Ok, so what does a gram of air weigh?

Depends on the value of G....assuming, of course, that we're at non-relativistic speeds...

However, ignoring those, 0.775 Liters of air should weigh 1 gram - if measured in a vacuum...but if we're at sea level, the air displaced equals the volume of the air weighed, so although the mass is still 1 gram, the weight is now zero.

Maybe I should just switch to mustard.

[nmap]

Originally Posted by Red Flag 1

FWIW, political air carries less weight.

RF 1

Exactly. Per Avogadro's law, the temperature of the hot air expelled implies that the gas will expand to an arbitrarily large volume....

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by nmap

Maybe I should just switch to mustard.

Have you ever mixed a small amount of mustard with ketchup?

[Saturation]

I find my ketchup vastly improves when I add some Tabasco.
Kicks it up to savory/sweet.

[nmap]

Originally Posted by Sigaba

Have you ever mixed a small amount of mustard with ketchup?

Yes, it's good! Along that line, a little mustard powder might add to it...

Sometimes, a drop or two of Tabasco sauce is good, too.

[dr. mabuse]

*.

[nmap]

Originally Posted by dr. mabuse

nmap, have you noticed the same for cocktail sauce?

Just not as good as it used to be.

Haven't had store-bought in a long time.

I have. I guess the trouble is that so many products have seemed degraded that I supposed I was just being cranky.

But do you have a good recipe for cocktail sauce?