Prepare yourself, as we are about to resolve the age-old ketchup issue. Consider the following scenario: You’ve just returned from the grocery store and are unloading your groceries; where does the sparkling new bottle of ketchup end up? Should you store it in the refrigerator or the cupboard?
Despite its minor nature, this issue has caused turmoil and strife in households throughout the British Isles.
Fridge purists would refer to the fact that numerous bottles include the ‘keep refrigerated’ label, arguing that a colder temperature will keep the sauce fresher for longer.
Meanwhile, cupboard proponents will debate endlessly about how restaurants store ketchup at room temperature and that the sauce contains high quantities of preservatives, making it unlikely to degrade regardless of storage circumstances.
Who knew a simple condiment could create so much division? Check out this recent Reddit discussion to see how upset people get about it:
Therefore, it’s crucial to involve the experts, specifically the team at Heinz, in settling the dispute. Heinz, being one of the most well-known ketchup makers, is bound to be an expert on the subject.
Do you keep ketchup in the fridge or the cupboard?
byu/cervezamonkey inAskUK
And die-hard cupboard fans may want to turn away immediately, since the firm strongly advocates for storing the famed red sauce in the refrigerator.
“There was only ever one correct answer, and we’re happy to share with Heinz Tomato Ketchup lovers that our ketchup has to be in the fridge,” Heinz official Olivia Lennon told MailOnline (via The Mirror).
Recognizing that many people prefer milder ketchup, she went on to say, “Although we understand that many Heinz Tomato Ketchup aficionados have been storing their ketchup in the cabinet, we do urge refrigeration after opening.
“This is the best way to maintain the delicious, tangy taste of our Heinz Tomato Ketchup that you know and love.”
This would explain the ‘For Best Results, Refrigerate After Opening’ label, which suggests that ketchup is OK to keep in the pantry until you pour it over your chips for the first time; after that, it’s time to put it in the fridge.
The brand earlier declared their loyalty to the fridge in 2023, saying on X: Just a Heads Up, “Ketchup. goes. in. the. fridge!!!”
However, this is unlikely to end the argument, as a doctor has already maintained that ketchup is safe to store in the pantry.
According to the dietitian, Dr. Sarah Schenker, “Sometimes people keep ketchup in the fridge simply because they prefer a chilled taste, but otherwise it doesn’t need to be refrigerated.”
Then, I offered her expert advice on the best storage locations for other condiments.
Brown sauce Since it’s vinegar-based, storing it in the fridge is unnecessary.
While it doesn’t need to be refrigerated, storing it in the fridge could help it maintain its bite and punchiness for an extended period.
However, you must store mayonnaise and salad cream in the refrigerator.
Ultimately, the ketchup dispute might come down to personal choice. As one Redditor pointed out, it’s unlikely to have a significant influence on your supper either way.
“Nobody ever, in the history of ketchup, has encountered gone-off ketchup,” according to them.