Should ketchup be stored in the fridge or the pantry? This long-standing debate has been settled by Heinz.
Picture yourself at the grocery store, realizing you’ve run out of ketchup. Naturally, you grab a new bottle and bring it home.
At this point, you’re faced with a choice: keep it in the refrigerator or leave it in the pantry?
It’s a challenging decision, but only one choice is truly correct.
The downside is that choosing the wrong option could affect the taste or even the quality of the ketchup.
So, what’s the right decision?
The debate has ended with a decisive answer.
Let’s delve into it.
You might have believed your method of storing ketchup was correct or universally accepted, but that’s not the case.
Heinz conducted a social media poll with over 2,500 participants, discovering that opinions were divided and many were unsure.
In response, Heinz decided to clarify the matter publicly.
Olivia Lennon, a Heinz spokesperson, informed the Daily Mail: “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.”
This news is disappointing for those who prefer storing it in the pantry.
She added: “Although we’re aware many Heinz Tomato Ketchup fans have been storing their ketchup in the cupboard, we do recommend refrigeration after opening.”
Lennon emphasized, “This is the best way to maintain the delicious tangy taste of our Heinz Tomato Ketchup that you know and love.”
If you’re still skeptical, take a look at the ketchup bottle in your cupboard.
Flip it around and read the storage advice on the label.
Did you notice it?
That’s correct. The instruction reads: “For Best Results, Refrigerate After Opening.”
This advice isn’t unprecedented; the brand addressed this issue in a similar poll on X in 2017 regarding ketchup storage.
“Because of its natural acidity, Heinz Ketchup is shelf-stable,” stated Heinz.
Consider this, you won’t find ketchup in the refrigerated section at the store, but that’s because it’s sealed and unopened.
Once opened, it’s advised to ‘refrigerate after opening to maintain product quality.’
Heinz reiterated their stance on the matter with a tweet in 2023: “FYI: Ketchup. goes. in. the. fridge!!!”
When Reddit users challenged this viewpoint, one user provided a perfect retort for pantry supporters.
They commented: “A lot of condiments like bottled ketchup and mustard are shelf stable for longer than most people would take to use them. Eventually they will degrade in quality enough that you might want to replace it.
“Refrigeration is recommended to maintain their quality but that is usually the only reason. Some artisan or homemade varieties might not stand up as well as the mass-produced kinds.”
Let’s be honest: is it worth risking your ketchup losing its great flavor just to keep it out of the fridge?