The Global Appeal of Ketchup: A Culinary Staple

Ketchup has transcended its origins to become a global culinary staple, adapting to local tastes across regions. In the United States, it is a ubiquitous condiment for burgers, fries, and hot dogs, with bold, sweet-tart flavors dominated by tomato and vinegar. In Asia, variants like spicy ketchup infused with chili or ginger cater to local palates, often used in stir-fries and as a dipping sauce for dim sum. European ketchup tends to have a richer tomato flavor with less sugar, pairing well with traditional dishes like fish and chips. Its versatility and long shelf life have made it a pantry essential worldwide, with annual global sales exceeding billions of dollars.