logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2022
56m 24s

The Ancient -- and Surprisingly Divisive...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

Ketchup is in almost 97% of US homes today -- and, while this statistic may sound surprising, it turns out there's a long story behind this humble condiment. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max trace the origin of ketchup from its ancient predecessors in Southern China and the Mediterranean to the introduction of the tomato all the way to the modern day. Tune in for the first episode in our continuing series on the history of condiments (and tell us which condiments you'd like us to explore next).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Oct 17
CLASSIC: Did the US Mafia actually start in New Orleans?
When we think of the mob today, most Americans think of New York City -- and why not? After all, films, books and TV shows often depict New York as the heart of mob country. Yet, as the guys discover in today's episode, the story of the Italian-American mafia has a surprisingly d ... Show More
28m 2s
Oct 15
The Weird Afterlife of The Zombies
In 1969, the Zombies had a song hit No. 3 on the Billboard charts. There was just one problem: the band had broken up two years earlier, and most people in the US had no idea. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max explore how a deeply sketchy promo company created multiple fake ... Show More
41m 30s
Oct 13
The Fascinating History of Fountain Pens
Nowadays, most people take pens for granted. They're always around if a business needs you to sign something, and people accidentally steal or lose them constantly. Yet the humble pen has a backstory thousands of years in the making. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max trace e ... Show More
36m 33s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2019
Ketchup
You love it. You put it on everything. But where does ketchup come from? In this episode of Invention, Robert and Joe explore the mysterious origins of everyone’s favorite sweet red sauce -- and consider the jaw-dropping fact that ketchup isn’t always red and isn’t always made fr ... Show More
1h 3m
Jul 2021
Selects: How Ketchup Works
<p>Little-known fact: Ketchup, possibly the most all-American of condiments, evolved from fermented fish sauce people in Southeast Asia have been making for more than a thousand years. Learn more in this classic episode.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="ht ... Show More
52m 56s
Jul 2022
How Ketchup Got Thick
Ketchup is the crowd-pleaser of condiments—a ubiquitous accessory on dinner tables throughout the United States, and, increasingly, the world. But this kid-friendly classic actually has its roots in a much funkier food: fermented fish sauce! So how did the salty, pungent, amber-c ... Show More
44m 39s
Jul 2022
Savor Classics: Tomato Ketchup
This popular American condiment descended from fermented fish sauce and had a hand in creating the FDA. In this classic episode, Anney and Lauren dip into the non-Newtonian science and fancy history of ketchup.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
47m 21s
Feb 2023
Sawbones: Ketchup
<p>There are lots of things that aren’t medicine. Taxes. Pound cake. One thing that is definitely not a medicine but at a time was thought as one? Ketchup! Dr. Sydnee goes through ketchup’s journey from a fermented non-tomato condiment to the condiment we know and love, including ... Show More
34m 34s
Jul 2021
Ketchup
The Complete Guide Summer Series continues with everyone’s favorite summer condiment: ketchup. You can literally put it on everything, but should you? Be sure to stay tuned after the first half for a scintillating discussion about the physics of ketchup that you won’t wanna miss. ... Show More
1h 8m
Jun 2022
EP346: Ketchup King: The H.J. Heinz Story
On this episode of Our American Stories, Greg Hengler tells us how Heinz food products have been a part of American culture for more than a century. Though Heinz Ketchup is one of the most recognized corporate symbols in the world, few people know anything at all about its creato ... Show More
38m 14s
Nov 2025
The Mustard Episode
This week, Eva and Maite serve up the surprisingly spicy history of mustard—from ancient apothecaries to royal tables, the rise of Dijon as the mustard capital of the world, and its journey to the Americas. Along the way, they uncover the mysterious moutardier, or mustard-maker. ... Show More
23m 12s
May 2022
The hot sauce sensations
Hot sauce can inspire fervent passion in its devotees. It’s a global obsession that translates to billions of dollars of sales a year. But with so many on the market, how do you create a taste that becomes a global hit? In this programme, Ruth Alexander explores the origin storie ... Show More
27m 30s