Food History: Ketchup and Mustard

The history of ketchup and mustard includes a tomato ketchup pill sold as patent medicine, a personal mustard-maker to the pope, and an early variety of fermented fish-gut “ketchup” bearing little resemblance to the bottle of Heinz you may have in your fridge.
You’ll learn some of the real (and some of the fake) health benefits ascribed to mustard, and we’ll even take a detour to answer an audience question: “Does dark roast coffee have more caffeine than light roast?”
Food History is a series from Mental Floss where we dive deep into the culinary stories that lead to the food on our plates. If you have an idea for a dish, cooking technique, or cuisine that you’d like us to explore in a future episode, tell us in the comments. The history of Japanese food is the just the tip of the iceberg in fascinating food stories.
For some more condiment fun, check out our article about the most popular condiment in each state of the United States: www.mentalfloss.com/article/5...
And for the origins of many other foods, check out our episode of the List Show • 24 Food Origins - ment...
Website: www.mentalfloss.com
Twitter: / mental_floss
Facebook: / mentalflossmagazine

[@pantheRRRRR]

I'm completely drunk watching a guy talk about ketchup and mustard history. This is hilarious. Thanks Reddit.

[@MatthewSchooley94]

Well, you've done ketchup and mustard. Now to take the next logical step: salt and pepper.

[@ElijsDima]

Are there any modern-day "food" vegetables that are still the same as their "wild ancestors"? Because so many of modern day regular veggies (carrots, cauliflowers, potatoes etc.) are very very different from the plants they were cultivated from...

[@MentalFloss]

Oo that's an interesting question. One of the most infuriating ironies in American food is how we've used selective breeding and impressive food science to create fruits and vegetables that look beautiful and taste like cardboard.

[@rustomkanishka]

Hi, if you're lucky to travel you'll see really cool 'heirlooom' veggies and the mass produced ones seem strange to locals. As an Indian I've seen the wild ancestor for eggplant, but didn't try to eat it. Also, growing up carrots were only seasonal and bright red, not orange. My late father grew up in another country so for him, carrots were mostly orange. If you travel somewhere do go to the local markets, the variety will blow your mind. I hope to try a purple potato one day.

[@anthonyrubino1831]

@@rustomkanishka good advice and awesome information! Thanks. Purple potato is fantastic! I feel blessed to have tried it in Okinawa - highly recommended. In Okinawa they also eat goya (a type of bitter melon). Did you ever come across bitter melon in India? I hear that it is grown in some parts of India.

[@rustomkanishka]

@@anthonyrubino1831 oh yeah, we call it Karela here, different from the state Kerala. It's extremely bitter and if you process it, you can remove the bitterness from it. However, if you don't mind bitter food you can just stir fry it or just eat it raw or boiled. We have a lot of gourd vegetables that are cheap and quite good for health.

[@nategalvan3907]

@@MentalFloss this is fascinating. Do you have video on this topic?

[@nataliezamora1170]

This guy is hilarious and a great host! Keep putting him in videos!

[@joewilson3393]

His skills are even more tasty than his topics.

[@doddjustin]

I’m FLATTERED.

[@nataliezamora1170]

Since this comment is getting attention I would just like to add that Erin is fantastic and the OG best host. :)

[@breezy9297]

I love food history. Keep em coming!

[@MentalFloss]

Yay, thanks! Will do! (Although they might start looking a little different for a while, as we're all working from home for now).

[@that1guy731]

13:13 1904 world's fair in Chicago? *St. Louis has left the chat*

[@HighpointerGeocacher]

The World's Fair in 1904 he is referencing while describing mustard at 13:07 was in St. Louis, not Chicago.

[@AnyZee]

Ah, the only thing better than Justin: Two Justins 😋

[@doddjustin]

Hey thanks! This is actually a Twilight Zone nightmare I find myself having all the time.

[@HayTatsuko]

MY right way to top a hot dog is with a mixture of good sweet pickle relish and a strong spicy mustard. I keep a supply of Russian-made Zakuson mustard for this very purpose. It's one of the hottest (and best-tasting) mustards I've tried.

[@tiaraono7668]

I fell down this rabbit hole of "wtf did ketchup come from" a few years ago. No one believed me when I told them It was from china!

[@RB-hx3dx]

Let me say this, as someone who lives in Illinois....the official way to eat a hotdog is with no ketchup, you will be ridiculed and treated as a child if you ask for ketchup...that's why we head to Costco to get them, how you eat your dog there stays there...

[@averysdaddy05]

ShadeKnight a good old fashioned Chicago style hot dog is a real gift from the gods 😍

[@happyfacefries]

Guess I'm never living in Illinois

[@rafasoka]

Love the thought put into everything with these videos, like his sweater changes to change the topic and match it

[@MentalFloss]

Thanks! We had fun with this one, and have some cool things planned for future episodes. Appreciate the kinds words!

[@MentalFloss]

I know we stoked the flames of discord by asking people to sound off on the ultimate hot dog topping, but at least there's one thing we can all agree on: hot dogs are not sandwiches.

[@HoldenGatsby]

Hot dogs are 100% sandwiches.

[@MentalFloss]

​@@HoldenGatsby A friend tells you "I'm gonna pick up some sandwiches for the road-trip. What do you want?" You reply "A hot dog."

[@Zorgoth1170]

@@MentalFloss They are not sandwitches. They are in fact, tacos.

[@MentalFloss]

​@@Zorgoth1170 You just made me reassess a lot of things.

[@PBTophie]

A hot dog is an open-faced sandwich. Though, I agree I would never assume someone wanted a hot dog when asking for a sandwich. While I wouldn't say "Look at those dogs over there" when observing a pack of wolves, I wouldn't technically be incorrect if I did. :)

[@crankysmurf]

In Cantonese, "key jup" (ke2 zap1 茄汁) literally means "tomato sauce." You're welcome.2

[@robotbjorn4952]

When did tomatoes arrive in China?

[@crankysmurf]

@@robotbjorn4952 Considering that the tomato plant is from South America probably around the same time the rest of the world got it after the Spanish colonization of the Americas. According to Wikipedia it was in the 1500s China got tomatoes via Philippines or Macau.

[@robotbjorn4952]

@@crankysmurf I appreciate the thorough answer. My quesrion is: if the Chinese were making key jup sauce 1800 years before the discovery of the new world, how did they manage to include the word for tomato in its name?

[@crankysmurf]

@@robotbjorn4952 I have to correct myself a bit -- "key jup" literally means "fish sauce" in Chinese while tomato in Chinese is "fan key" (番茄) which literally translate to "barbarian eggplant." So while "ketchup" most likely has its origins in the Chinese word "key jup" the original Chinese "key jup" didn't use tomatoes but fish. And I don't know where you go the 1800 years before the introduction of the tomato to China.

[@robotbjorn4952]

@@crankysmurf Start of this video mentions Chinese experimentation with the sauce beginning around 300BCE. Tomato arrives in China sometime in the 1500's. A gap of about 1800 years.

[@Saitaina]

One thing you miss about tomato posioning is that aot of people first eating them would be if wealth, meaning their diets were rich and not quite healthy. Tomatoes, being acidic can increase GERD which with their already rich diets, wouldn't have helped. Not deadly, but NOT fun.

[@jefflebowski918]

"hot...must" gets me every time 🤣

[@jacksonlewis2774]

Love this channel

[@kif411]

Hey Food History/Mental Floss, do an episode about the origin of cooking oils?

[@MentalFloss]

Oo that's the best new suggestion I've seen in a while. A *lot* to get into. Adding it to our list!

[@maxymilien84]

Hot dog: bratwurst, sauerkraut and dijon mustard Burger: lamb patty, mint-yogurt sauce, lettuce

[@MentalFloss]

I don't *think* this is what you meant, but that kinda read like you put bratwurst *on* a hot dog, and I have to say: that would be an incredible topping.

[@maxymilien84]

Just instead of normal sausage.

[@TheCheck999]

Estragon mustard for bratwurst all the way!

[@agnesstrzykowska4300]

People were afraid of tomatoes because they belong to the nightshade family from which many are poisonous. Still I can't imagine my kitchen without them: potatoes, peppers, aubergine, goji berries 😋

[@gbryant261]

Basic hot dog; mustard, relish, and onions. Bring it up to Chicago style; add tomato slice, pickle spear, sport peppers and a sprinkle of celery seed. All on a seeded bun.

[@chalkiewithdots]

I actually hate mustard.. But it's nice to learn so much about how everyone loves it lol

[@RMoribayashi]

Heinz ketchup may have been an improvement on existing brands but that lovely red stuff in the bottle looked terrible at the top where unsightly bits floated. Heintz's solution... They added a band of paper around the neck to hide the surface of the ketchup. The bits are long gone but the strip of paper remains.

[@PBTophie]

My preferences for hot dogs and hamburgers: Hot dogs: Mayo on the bun, mustard, ketchup, relish, onions (white or French-fried) on top OR brown mustard, sauerkraut, French-friend onions Burger: Mayo, ketchup (or barbecue sauce), mustard (brown if using bbq sauce instead of ketchup), lettuce, pickles, onions (French-fried if using bbq sauce and/or brown mustard), and tomatoes (if they're red all the way through). Yum!

[@MentalFloss]

You have clearly put the appropriate amount of thought into these important questions, and for that we salute you. 🍔🍔

[@PBTophie]

@@MentalFloss Critical conundrums of crucial consequence call for careful consideration.

[@WolfWarlord01]

Best hot dog toppings are cheese and barbecue sauce

[@MentalFloss]

Wow. Respect for fully coming in off the top rope here.

[@dubya13207]

A Chicago dog is good, but I’m more of a “nothing but a little ketchup” person myself. I could be convinced by another combo if u came across the right one though For a burger? Mayonnaise on the bottom bun (toasted) with a little salt and pepper. Then burger. The mayo keeps the juices from sitting the bun too quickly and the two mix beautifully. This is the bare minimum, but lettuce, tomato, caramelized (better than grilled or raw) onions, bacon, Swiss cheese, and maybe some mustard (ketchup + fresh tomato just doesn’t make sense) and/or sautéd-to-oblivion mushrooms make the quintessential burger for me. My favorite non-everyday burger has arugula, bleu cheese, bacon, and fig (can’t remember sauce). To get really out there, basically anything from Zombie Burger in Des Moines, IA

[@HamburgerMolester]

"MAKE WAY FOR THE POPE'S MUSTARD MAKER!!!" 🎺 🎺 🎺 Perhaps the title didn't command THAT much respect....but it SHOULD have.

[@JiveDadson]

For decades, I assumed that the derivation of "catsup" had to do with cats and supping.

[@maidenrohina]

If you eat Broccoli raw you can definitely tell it is related to mustard as it has the same spice to it as mustard does. Also mushroom ketchup is delicious and worth making.

[@MentalFloss]

Interesting. I think that explains why I love cooked broccoli and have never liked raw broccoli much. There is a certain (to me unpleasant) spiciness there...

[@AFKSeamus]

Now we need the history of Ranch and Mayonnaise

[@xSTTS]

mustard confused me so much as a kid because it is mentioned in the bible so much and i only knew mustard from a plastic container of yellow mustard no one in my house ate

[@Ratryoshka]

That explains why we call soy sauce "kecap" (sounds similar to ketchup), the word originates from the chinese word for fish sauce!

[@Bisquick]

Holy crap this was way longer than I thought it was gonna be.for some reason. Not at all a complaint though!

[@matthewjay660]

Brother, I’m from Texas, so I love BBQ sauce and Tobasco (Louisiana) on my hamburger.

[@thomasrogers8239]

Onions, Dijon mustard, and relish.

[@MarkiusFox]

My personal favorite way of making a hot dog is my take on a Fenway style: An all beef, natural casing frankfurter that is pan seared is wedged into a split top bun or a sandwich roll that has had Dijon mustard and chopped or minced onions already applied, a sweet pickle relish tops it off. Off the beaten path though: Andouille sausage is pan seared until lightly charred on both sides, placed in a sandwich roll with Dijon mustard and minced onions.

[@achecase]

"Mustard" = "hot must" then "Tard", or as we say, Turd", is "hot". So, I think "hot must", sounds a little better than "turd must". thus we have "Mustard".

[@CrystalCarnations]

Best Topping: A Full Dill Pickle, but cut it and wrap it around the hot dog so you get pickle and hot dog perfectly in every bite.

[@Tryo707]

Burger topping : Avocado and Bacon. Hot Dog: Dijon Mustard and Sweet Relish (Chili and Cheese 2nd place).

[@invisibleninja86]

On hamburgers: Either just mayo and ketchup or just mayo and mustard depending what else is on it. On hot dogs: Whipped cream cheese, caramelized onions, and pickle relish.

[@RPGArcher]

hot dog: cheese and onions burger: onion ring and grilled pineapple I'm a monster

[@averysdaddy05]

RPGArcher hot dog: mustard and onion Burger: bacon, cheese, fried egg, mayonnaise, pickles

[@sde257]

WV hot dog: Steamed bun, mustard, chili, chopped onions, and coleslaw. Hamburger: Mayo and run it through the garden.

[@happyfacefries]

I literally laughed out loud when Justin talked about the guy falling asleep at his keyboard

[@xyzbakedgoods]

Love your work! Can you do an episode on pretzels? what does lye actually do and how did it get introduced to boiling dough? thanks!

[@MentalFloss]

Thank you! Since you asked so nicely: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqPQiHedlN90frM

[@averagemachinist2927]

Hot dogs: mustard is the only sauce. I personally like a Chicago dog and drag it thru the garden.

[@joemedley195]

Ya’ know, ketchup has natural mellowing agents that help folks cope with life’s hardships.

[@carolbest253]

That's what I hear about alcohol.

[@AndrewSetters]

The 1904 World Fair was in St. Louis, not Chicago.

[@thomasbrown8468]

Great 👍

[@shadowflame2247]

the correct way to top a hotdog is Chili, Cheese, white onion, chopped pickles, bacon bits, sweet relish, mustard, and ketchup

[@JiveDadson]

I grew up in East Texas, many moons ago. The hamburger was standardized: thin beef patty, salted, toasted bun, lettuce, tomato, chopped sweet onion, dill pickle, mustard and mayo. No ketchup, so don't ask. Pro tip: soak the chopped unions overnight in water.

[@andie_pants]

I like this guy!

[@cheeseisgreat24]

My favorite Hot Dog Condiment is actually Mayonnaise, of all things. Maybe some mustard too, but absolutely no ketchup, but I will never put ketchup on anything :-P

[@toveryonder1115]

chili, cheese and fresh white onions for both

[@Evagirl77]

Hotdog topping: Ketchup, mustard, onion and relish Burger: Onion, pickle, cheese, and ketchup, bacon if you're feeling fancy

[@ircimager]

mustard is the single best stuff you can put on things

[@AchtungKarate]

On a hotdog: Ketchup. Mustard. Onions. Relish. Fite me.

[@bkd3234]

The 1904 worlds fair was in St. Louis Missouri, not Chicago Illinois!

[@MentalFloss]

Sorry not sure how that slipped through! The story is correct, we just slipped the completely wrong city in there somehow. Won't let that happen again!

[@Yarsig]

I feel like some people forget that the US is only ~240 years old.

[@PilsnerGrip]

In some cultures, tomato is called "paradise apple" which might have contributed to the taboo, or dangerous nature people used to believe it had. Unlike the forbidden fruit in the bible it doesn't grow on a tree, but a vine of course, unless you're on the moon Europa, in the Watchmen series

[@pat999x]

Hot dog topping - Brown mustard, sweet relish, sauerkraut Hamburger topping - cheddar cheese, bacon, ketchup, Dill pickle slices, slice of raw onion, slice of tomato

[@sandbanner6556]

The best to top a hot dog and hamburger is how ever you like it. For me it ketchup, mustard and mayo on the hot dog and the same thing with an additional mushrooms on hamburgers.

[@MrCakerape]

I couldn't eat the green sauce when it was out. My brain was just like "NO NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!"

[@RMoribayashi]

Hot dog: Gulden's Brown Mustard and Heinz Sweet Relish. Hambuger: 1 slice of tomato, 3 leaves of lettuce (Iceberg *_NOT_* Romaine) and Heinz Ketchup and Hellmann's Mayonnaise stirred together 50/50 and spread thickly on both sides of a sesame seed bun.

[@karbieturner925]

Mustard and bbq sauce are my favorite on a hot dog and a burger

[@sammysoppy3361]

hot dog: mustard (ball park mustard) and onions burger: cheese, onions, pickles, lettuce, ketchup and mayo.

[@bsteven885]

Unfortunately, this video inaccurately states that the Chicago World's Fair was in 1904. Actually, Chicago hosted the World's Columbian Expedition in 1893 (where yellow mustard first made its appearance) -- while St. Louis held the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition in 1904.

[@josephseda9455]

Chili and cheese on hot dog is good. The hot dog is new York fair is good. A hamburger just needs vegetables on top. The ketchup is for cooling the hot fries. Ketchup is also for cooling any mac and cheese, or rice. I don't want to burn my mouth.

[@ShadowedMage]

On hot dogs: sauerkraut, onion, hot peppers, and maybe just a tiny bit of a spicy dijon mustard. On hamburgers: I prefer plain. But a light amount of a mayo or aioli is fine too.

[@CesarIsaacPerez]

Ketchup and Mustard are my defaults on both Hot Dogs and Hamburgers.

[@hoovdaddy0505]

No ketchup on a burger. Mayo and mustard. Mustard and relish on a hot dog. Ketchup sometimes on fries, honey mustard on everything. Bury me with thousand island.

[@gryphonshire]

Hot dogs & Brats: Spicy brown mustard (& chili on occasion.) Hamburgers: mayo & spicy brown mustard (& cheese & lettuce & bacon) French Fries: Heinz Ketchup

[@markabrice]

Small grammar quibble: when discussing past events--where outcomes are known--the correct form is "might have," not "may have." "May" only works if the truth value or outcomes of the past events remain unclear at present. I thought you would want to know.

[@ZantheonWOW]

From Canada and just a ton of yellow mustard , can’t beat it, maybe with a lil sriracha or tobasco

[@scottmantooth8785]

*next if you haven't already covered it would/should be Vegemite™...and why some hate it while others (myself included) can't get enough of the stuff*

[@sararivz668]

I hate it too lol but want to see Justin do the history 🇦🇺(?)

[@___xyz___]

3:58 Thanks for the popular opinion.

[@mindblower93]

Best hot dog toppings are Chili sauce, cheese, and sauteed onions. Best burger toppings are cheese, and sauteed onions.

[@garethtudor836]

Honey mustard and aioli, you say? I might just give that a try

[@AnaleenAelwyn]

I'm with you, Justin! No mustard or ketchup for me!

[@drohegda]

At one time People thought tomatoes were harmful to your health because of the acidity and they would not eat them,some people called Tomatoes "" Wolf Peaches"". Thank You for the Video!

[@tomryan914]

"Devil's Plum"

[@crazylaceashira]

Hot dog: any brown mustard and sweet pickle relish. Burger: cream cheese and barbecue sauce OR dijon mustard and garlic aioli if there's gonna be grilled mushrooms and swiss cheese involved.

[@lordfarquar9215]

I will forever call them love apples.

[@stacey9730]

In Australia we call it Tomato Sauce

[@JonathanRodd]

Mmmmmm yeah. Gotta love those love apples ;)

[@stefaneckensperger9418]

is his uncle seriously the bishop of Gibraltar?

[@johnjohnson8575]

My whole 6th grade class was eliminated from a spelling bee due catsup being the word to spell.

[@lainemurphy116]

Eat your food with whatever you like on it. It's your food, you have the right to put whatever you like on it. If people make fun of you, tell them that when they pay your grocery bills, they can dictate what you eat.

[@McShane881]

Bring Ranch to Europe!

[@sendieloo]

The best way to top a hot dog is whichever you like the best!

[@markabrice]

Best burger toppings: BBQ sauce and raw onion. LOTS of onion; other toppings optional--tomato, lettuce, bacon... Mmmm... bacon...

[@bbradleyjoness]

Aye! You used my comment, sweet! Justin, are you related to Tim Dodd? You sound and sorta look like him.

[@doddjustin]

Our pleasure! And I’ve definitely gotten this question a few times before, but we’re unfortunately not related. Though I am a big fan of his work.

[@THE_BagelMan]

Hot dog: mustard, and pickle relish Burger: mustard, cheese, ketchup, pickles, and lettuce But I’m vegetarian so the non meat versions Edit: love these food histories can you do salsa and guacamole next?

[@janineharrison5186]

Mustard, onions and slaw on hot dogs....ketchup, onions and pickles on hamburgers...and sometimes mustard

[@biancalopes-bibis22]

here in brazil some people top hot dogs with mashed potatoes. I think it's pretty weird

[@MentalFloss]

Wow. I've heard of other South American countries doing potato chips, but mashed is a new one for me. Kind of dubious, but then again plenty of people have their hot dogs on potato rolls, so who knows?

[@biancalopes-bibis22]

@@MentalFloss exactly haha I love your videos :))

[@DJGURR]

Missed opportunity to say "Mustard" at least once like the Mad Hatter

[@clarksvegaseast]

Coffee, hold the mustard = Alien Nation reference

[@infoscholar5221]

BEGIN TOPPINGS:: mustard ((any)) +Sriracha. add:: Dill + Jalapeno relish.

[@FranciscoCabezasM]

hotdog: TOMATO, AVOCADO, MAYO = COMPLETO ITALIANO = HEAVEN

[@imppaco]

Mayonnaise next, please!!

[@chefgirly93]

Ketchup, mustard, pickles, on both!

[@MoonshineNL]

in Cantonese, ke-zup is ketchup. Ke = tomato (fahn-ke) + Zup = sauce.