Sarah asked how your dressed your dogs - mustard? relish? chili? Personally, while I enjoy dogs dressed with all kinds of things, my very favorite way to eat them is with ketchup. I know it's boring compared to a loaded dog, but I also know I'm not the only one who likes them that way. My ketchup of choice is Heinz .
Heinz Ketchup is celebrating its 130th birthday this year and more the 50% of the Ketchup sold in the US is made by Heinz. Out of the many ketchups I've tried -including those ghastly green and purple monstrosities from Heinz, various "natural" ketchups and homemade ketchup - I've found that classic Heinz generally tastes the best. It has a sweetness that complements a slightly spicy dog, a little bite from vinegar and salt and a smooth texture. Of course, the texture of classic comes from the high fructose corn syrup that is in it and, because I generally try to avoid foods with high fructose corn syrup, I was delighted to discover that Heinz Organic doesn't have any! Granted, it came out in 2002, but old habits are hard to break. It tastes a little fresher and has a little more body than the classic Heinz, which actually makes it tastier than the classic - and it still goes perfectly on any hot dog (or fries, burgers, etc.).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-02-2006 @ 1:14PM
Ruby said...
Have you tasted Hunts ketchup lately? It tastes far superior to Heinz. Hunts is also made with vine ripened tomatos not artificially ripened tomatos!
Cook Illustrated magazine's tasting lab agrees with me: www.cooksillustrated.com/tasting.asp?tastingid=398&
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7-02-2006 @ 4:17PM
Laura said...
Yes, the most recent publication of Cook's features ATK's ketchup testing. Hunts rated #1. I picked up a bottle, but have not tried it yet (still working through the bottle of Heinz in the fridge!). At any rate, better or not, Heinz is the Undisputed King of Ketchups - if for no other reason than the amount they sell. Congratulations to them for making it to the ripe old age of 130!
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7-03-2006 @ 4:08AM
James said...
I like Heinz Ketchup Kick'rs (Zesty Garlic). I haven't had any other Ketchup in my fridge since finding the Zesty Garlic Ketchup from Heinz.
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7-03-2006 @ 10:11AM
Amy Z said...
I've tried Hunts and found it too runny and lacking in flavor. Odd that it ranks #1 at Cooks Illustrated. I'll definately have to try the Organic Heinz. I've switched to mostly organic foods in other areas of my diet already.
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7-03-2006 @ 11:37AM
Adam Fields said...
Never a fan of Hunts - it tastes too much like tomato paste to me. Ditto for most of the other organic ones I've tried.
Heinz Organic is good, but man is it pricey. It's over $3 for 15oz. (in NY, anyway).
I found that the Whole Foods brand (365 Organic) is cheaper, and tastes nearly the same - slightly thicker and more tomatoey, but still with the right flavor balance. It's about $1.50 for 24oz.
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