Does Ketchup Have Sugar?

Does ketchup have sugar?

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “Does ketchup have sugar” with an in-depth analysis of the nutritional profile of the ketchup. Moreover, we are going to discuss the purpose of adding sugar in the ketchup and the tips to keep your ketchup fresh for a long time.

So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.

Yes, ketchup does have sugar in it. 100 grams of ketchup contains about 22 grams of sugar. But it is worth mentioning that the sugar content varies from ketchup to ketchup depending on the particular manufacturer.

A 20 oz bottle of Heinz tomato ketchup contains about ⅔ cup of sugar in it and 1 tbsp of Heinz tomato ketchup has about 4 grams of sugar present in it. A tbsp of Tiptree tomato sauce has 4.65 grams sugar in it while a tbsp of Sainsbury’s tomato ketchup has 2.9 grams of sugar in it.

What is the purpose of sugar in the ketchup?

So sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup is added to ketchup. The sugar acts as a preservative along with the vinegar and salt present in the ketchup to prolong its shelf life. Moreover, sugar also helps the ketchup in retaining its flavor and aroma for a long time and is also responsible for that sweet taste that you notice while consuming ketchup.

Now when it comes to high fructose corn syrup, it is not very costly thus from the cost point of view it is a good option for many of the manufacturers to add in the ketchup. Moreover, the high fructose corn syrup also plays an important role when it comes to improving the flow of the ketchup while at the same time maintaining its viscosity as no one wants their ketchup to be too runny.

Last but not least, sugar also helps in neutralizing the acidity of the tomato and balances the overwhelming sour taste of tomato and vinegar, thereby giving that sweet and tangy overall flavor to the ketchup.

You can read more about high fructose corn syrup here.

What is the nutritional profile of the ketchup?

Ketchup is a condiment that is used by all and sundry, from burgers to fries, hot dogs to pizzas, ketchup is used as a topping in all. So talking about the nutritional profile of the ketchup, 100 grams of ketchup contains about 112 calories but as ketchup is used in a small amount, therefore it does not add many calories to our daily diet. A tablespoon of ketchup contains approximately 17 calories.

Moreover, the ketchup also has sodium, potassium, and sugar present in it. Along with that it also contains magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin B6, and vitamin C in trace amounts.

Other FAQs about Ketchup which you may be interested in.

Does ketchup go bad?

What happens If you eat expired ketchup?

Can you get sick from eating expired ketchup?

How to keep your ketchup fresh for a long time?

You can keep your ketchup fresh in the fridge by considering the following quick tips

Ketchup loses its characteristic flavor and color when it comes in contact with the air owing to the oxidation reaction. Therefore to seal the freshness of ketchup for quite a long we recommend you to store it in air-tight containers or bottles. Moreover, you should not leave the ketchup without closing its lid/cap, or else the bacteria or microbes will find their way in the open ketchup bottle.
You should always keep the ketchup in a cool, dry, and dark place away from direct sunlight to preserve its freshness for a long time.
You can preserve the freshness of your opened bottle of tomato ketchup for a long time by refrigerating it properly.
If your ketchup caps or lids are full of the solidified leftovers or crustings from your ketchup then there are chances that bacteria will grow on such caps as their air exposure is greater. So you should clean the caps of your ketchup bottle properly.
You should never dip any food item like fries directly in the bottle of ketchup.

How to tell if ketchup has gone bad?

If you spot any mold in your ketchup then you should discard it. Moreover, if you notice some off-smells or something that does not quite smell like ketchup itself then it is the indication that your ketchup has gone bad.

If you feel some off-flavors or slightly bitter after-taste after tasting your ketchup, then it is the indication that your ketchup is past its prime age.

In the case of the unopened bottle of ketchup that has been there for a long time, if you notice a bulging lid or a bloated bottle, it is the indication that your ketchup has gone bad. The reason behind the bulging is the gases that are formed as a result of the microbial contamination.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “Does ketchup have sugar” with an in-depth analysis of the nutritional profile of the ketchup. Moreover, we discussed the purpose of adding sugar in the ketchup and the tips to keep your ketchup fresh for a long time.